A Harvest

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy
and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by
those who make peace (James 3:17-18).

Have you ever been to a farm? What do you remember? The smells? The sights? The large
buildings?

Do you know how a farm works? For a farmer who has a large plot of land, he usually
grows some type of food plant, like corn, beans, or wheat. The farmer hopes that there is much
sun and rain during the summer so his plants can grow tall and strong. Once his plant produces
the food it will be harvested. This means it will be taken off the plant, placed in some type of
container, and then taken to a place where it can be sold. This is how farmers make their money,
by selling their crops that they have harvested.

In our verse for today James talks about a harvest as well. It’s a harvest of righteousness.
What James is saying is that righteousness will be our product if we pursue the peace of God.
Think of all the attributes of godly wisdom that we considered yesterday. Don’t all of those
create conditions for peace of mind and a peaceful life? If you considered their opposites you
would see something that was quite chaotic, the opposite of peace.

James is saying that when we pursue godly wisdom by the power of the Spirit, the result
will be peace! Our world resonates with discord and anxiety. But Christians should be a living
witness to the power of God by our peaceful lives.

Read Philippians 4:4-9
• What do these verses have in common with our text for today?
• According to these verses how do we feel the peace of God?

Prayer
Our Father, we know that we have peace with you because of what Jesus did for us. Your wrath
no longer remains on us. We are free! We are promised eternal peace in you! May our lives
display that we understand this in the way that we live. Make us truly wise for your glory and
our joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.