Promises of God’s Kingdom

Bible Reading: Mark 4:26-34

“And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once, he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come” (Mark 4:26-29)

When we look again to the grand masterplan of God and how He desires to work out His kingdom amongst us, we can rest with the hope that God is the sole author of this story, and we can abide in Him as He works. True children of God long for God’s kingdom come among them. That means they long that wrong may be made right, they long that God’s ways and truth may be made plain, and they long for submission to God in their own heart and their communities. 

Often, when we long for such things, we are disheartened. We long for God to work, but it seems that His work is prolonged if we stay optimistic and say He is working at all. In our own hearts, we constantly battle and fall into sin. Sometimes it seems as if the battle can never be won. We long to change. We long to be changed by God. Also, when we look at the world around us, there are so many people who are living in sin and do not know God. We long that they may know God. We long that God may show His truth and rule even greater amongst people on earth. We also long that our brothers and sisters in our church might grow in faith and come to know God more. We wait earnestly for God’s kingdom to come in the church and on the earth. 

God promises that His kingdom will come because He is the one who is working. We can rest assured in God. Jesus tells a parable of a man scattering seeds. He does nothing to the seeds, but in due time, the seed grows and bears fruit until it is a full-grain. That is how God’s kingdom works in our lives and our ministry as we serve others. 

The seeds are God’s Word. God’s Word is above all things and above all, man. The Holy Spirit uses God’s Word to speak to mankind and to change hearts. Only through God’s Word can there be a spiritual revival. This means two big things for us. 

1. If we want God’s Kingdom to come in our hearts, that is, we want to put off our old self and put on our new self that is renewed with a heart that loves God, the one thing we need is God’s Word. Put every diligence into seeking God’s Word. Read it for yourself, seek a community to study and learn it together (church), and pray with humble hearts that God will work through it. Though at times, we may feel dry and feel that nothing is changing, God promises that He is the one who works through His word to bring spiritual growth. If we are truly His, God’s promises for us will not fail because He is faithful. 

2. When we serve and long for others to come to know God, do not be disheartened when there is no fruit. Instead, in humility, serve God’s Word diligently and carefully. God is the one who does the working and reviving. Our part is to be faithful to God’s Word and present it as it is. When we do that, God Himself will work in His own time, and He promises that His kingdom will grow even though it may seem unnoticeable. 

God’s kingdom is paradoxical. It is surely coming, though it does not come in fanfare and grandeur. Slowly but surely, God is working in this world to gather His people until one day, Christ returns in full glory to make known to all people that He is the King of Kings. 

Lord, thank You for Your promises about Your kingdom. Thank You that You are the King, and we can trust in You. Lord, please teach me to be diligent in reading Your Word. Teach me to be diligent in serving Your Word. Let me watch You work through Your Word to change my heart and the hearts of those around me that we may be pulled away from sin and that You may be the king over our lives. Thank You for Your promises, and thank You that You never leave us. In Jesus’ name, amen.