Take Possession of Your Harvest

Scripture Reference:

• Deuteronomy 1:6-8 - “The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, ’You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance into the hill country… See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land the Lord swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and to their descendants after them."

• Proverbs 10:5 - “He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”

• Hebrews 11:1 - “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Devotion:

Imagine sitting in the middle of a bountiful harvest field—surrounded by ripe, golden crops ready for gathering—but refusing to take the first step to reap the reward. The land is fertile, the produce is plentiful, and all that’s required is action. Yet, instead of moving forward, you sit still, staring at the abundance around you.

This scenario is not uncommon in the spiritual realm. God often fulfills His promises, but instead of taking possession, we hesitate. Sometimes fear, doubt, or even complacency keeps us from moving. We pray for the harvest, but when it arrives, we linger in uncertainty, unsure if we’re truly ready to handle the responsibility.

Faith requires more than recognition of God’s provision—it demands action. The harvest doesn’t gather itself. To take possession, we must step forward, glean the field, and claim the promise. Sitting in the harvest without taking possession is like standing on the edge of the Promised Land but refusing to cross the Jordan River.

The Israelites experienced this in Deuteronomy 1. They had been given the land but lingered too long at Mount Horeb. God had to command them to move forward: “You have stayed long enough at this mountain.” Perhaps God is saying the same to you today.

Case Study: The Unclaimed Promised Land (Numbers 13-14)

When Moses sent spies to scout the Promised Land, they returned with evidence of its abundance—a land flowing with milk and honey. But instead of stepping out in faith to take possession, the Israelites allowed fear of the giants to paralyze them. They sat in the promise but refused to act on it, doubting God’s ability to deliver what He had promised. Their hesitation led to wandering in the wilderness for forty years.

Their story is a reminder that sitting in the harvest without action can lead to missed opportunities and delayed blessings. God’s promises require us to trust Him and take bold steps forward, even in the face of uncertainty.

Reflection Questions:

1. What blessings has God placed in your life that you haven’t fully claimed?

2. Are fear, doubt, or feelings of inadequacy holding you back from taking possession of your harvest?

3. What is one practical step you can take today to act on God’s promises?

Challenge:

Don’t let the harvest pass you by. Get up, take the tools of faith and obedience, and start gleaning. The provision is already there, but God is waiting for you to take hold of it.

Prayer:

Lord, I recognize the harvest You’ve placed before me. Forgive me for hesitating to take possession of what You’ve promised. Give me the courage to move forward in faith, trusting that You’ve equipped me for every challenge. Help me honor You by stepping into the fullness of Your blessing. In the name of Jesus. Amen.