Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper (emphasis added, KJV).
Every believer is meant to bear fruit, and that fruit is come at the proper season. Even nature teaches us that there is a process to bearing fruit. When a seed is planted, one cannot immediately pick the fruit as the result of the planting. He has to wait for it to grow roots beneath the soil before even so much as seeing a sprout above ground. Nonetheless, at the proper time and season it will bear fruit provided all the right conditions are met. We find this alluded to in Psalm one where it says, “Like a tree planted by the river of waters.” Without water, a tree will die and produce nothing. Metaphorically, rivers of water point to the Holy Spirit, which means that if we as believers are going to produce much fruit, we are going to need the Holy Spirit -we need to commune with Him. John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake HE of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified) (emphasis added, KJV). Water also points to the Word of God: “That He (Jesus) might sanctify and cleanse it (the church) with the washing of the water by the word” (Ephesians 5:25). If a believer will not commune with the Lord and spend time in His Word, he will be as if he is out of season -producing no mature fruit. Psalm 1:2 makes it clear that we should delight in the law of the Lord, and meditate in it day and night.
We must realize that the word, fruit, points to our ways; not our actions or works. We find that if our ways line up with His, whatever we put our hand to do will prosper. God is very much interested in our ways; probably, more so than our works. Basically speaking, works done outside of His ways are dead works that profit us nothing. For example, 1Corinthians 13:3 says, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (AGAPE -love), it profiteth me nothing.” Basically speaking, our actions should be the result of our ways. If what we do is the result of the desire for selfish gain -whatever form that takes on, our fruit is worthless, and we are as if we are out of season. Fruit is meant to benefit others.
Fruit also points to the results of our labors. There are times when believers can knock themselves out trying to accomplish things for God, with no results. Why? They are out of season. For example, a person may be called to be a pastor, but being called and chosen are two different things. There is a maturing process that takes place between called and chosen. In other words, before a person actually pastors a flock, he must first be prepared for the job. Even the Apostle Paul, waited fifteen years before fully starting his ministry. People who jump the gun, more often than not, produce little fruit if any, because they are out of season. Romans 10:17 tells us that, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” That means if we are going to step out in faith, we have to hear from God first; otherwise, it’s presumption. The reason that the work of some peoples hands prosper is because they are in communion with the Lord. With communion comes hearing, and with hearing comes works of faith that produce fruit in their proper season.
Luke 8:15 But that on good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Each believer can produce much fruit in the proper season if they keep the Word of God with an honest and good heart. But, it does require patience if it is to come to maturity. When the Lord gives us a Word concerning our future, we stay focused on the Word, not the time it takes to come to fruition. If we have preconceived notions as to when and how His Word is to come to pass, we could miss it or at least delay it. Embrace the moment your in, and wait on the Lord to bring things to pass, and you will not be out of season.
