April 16

" C ast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days."

Ecclesiastes 11:1

The reference is to the Egyptian method of rice sowing—scattering the seed over the land when flooded by the waters of the Nile, counting on a bountiful harvest later on. So it is with the sower of the gospel seed. He is to be diligent in giving out the Word of Life under all circumstances, knowing that God will not let His Word return unto Him void, but will use it in the salvation of the lost and needy. Often the results of faithful sowing will appear long years afterwards, but in many more cases it will not be until we stand at the judgment seat of Christ that the harvest will be revealed.

Sow thy seed, be never weary,

Let no fears thy soul annoy,

Be the prospect ne’er so dreary,

Thou shalt reap the fruits of joy.

Lo, the scene of verdure brightening!

See the rising grain appear.

Look again! The fields are whitening,

For the harvest-time is near.