Sow for yourselves according to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God); reap according to mercy and loving-kindness. Break up your uncultivated ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, to inquire for and of Him, and to require His favor, till He comes and teaches you righteousness and rains His righteous gift of salvation upon you. — Hosea 10:12

There is never a harvest without a time of sowing (see Ecclesiastes 3:1–2). God can do anything He wants to, but He has established a life principle that works for everyone: “First you sow, and then you reap.” It always happens in that order.

Those who sow trouble and mischief reap the same. Those who sow righteousness reap mercy. If God tells you to do something, and you sow obedience, and once you have passed the test, you will reap a good harvest.

Remember the sequence: What you sow today, you will reap tomorrow.

From the book Starting Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2003 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.