He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.
Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.
All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.
As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
Mark 4:26-29
In Mark 4, we find a little-known parable. In fact, it only appears in Mark’s gospel—and it’s the only parable he includes that isn’t found anywhere else.
And yet, it provides us with a powerful, comforting, and deeply encouraging truth about the Kingdom of God—and about the Word of God at work in us.
In the story, Jesus teaches us that the Kingdom of God is like a man scattering seed on the ground. “Night and day.” Slowly, “whether the man sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel.”
Can you picture it? Gradually, but surely, in healthy soil, the seed produces its fruit until the time is right for harvest.
The meaning is profound. But maybe even more, it is encouraging.
The seed, as we know, represents the Word of God in our lives. When it’s planted in our lives, it begins to grow—often quietly, gradually, even invisibly. But it’s always working to accomplish its purposes.
Whether we feel it or not, every moment we spend in Scripture accomplishes something valuable in our lives. Every verse we read, every truth we meditate on, every word we hide in our hearts, every prayer we utter—God is using it to grow us and change us.
Isaiah 55:11 offers us the same promise, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
That’s a promise worth remembering and thinking about today.
The Word of God always produces fruit. So don’t grow discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Seeds take time to grow.
Just keep planting—day and night. Keep reading. Keep listening. Keep memorizing. And keep focused on your faith.
Because the Word of God is active, alive, and working—whether you see it or not. And no moment spent in the Word is ever wasted.
Prayer
Father, thank You for Your living Word that works in ways I cannot see. Help me to trust that every time I open Your Word, You are planting something in me that will grow in Your time. Motivate me to spend time in it. And may my life bear fruit that honors You. Amen.