Good Ground, Great Harvest

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13:23)

In Jesus’ most important parable, He explained the importance of soil. Every heart is like soil, and every Word from God is a seed. However, not every seed that is planted produces the same results.

Some seeds fall on hardened hearts, where offense acts like concrete. When believers live bitter lives, we can't receive what God has for us. Other seeds fall among thorns, where worries about life, tasks, and the desire to gain or promote ourselves choke growth. But some seeds land on good ground, where they grow and develop enough to fulfill God's original plan. Jesus said that such a heart “hears and understands.” It doesn’t just let the Word go in one ear and out the other; it lets the Word take root in their lives. The Greek word for understand (suniēmi) means “to bring together, to connect.” When you hear, receive, believe, speak, and apply the Word in your life, it becomes more than just information—it becomes integration. You allow Heaven’s way of doing things to connect with how you live, speak, and view the world. The result is a harvest that hell cannot stop.

So, what makes soil “good”? Soil isn’t naturally “good” by its own nature. It becomes good because someone has worked the ground. A farmer is willing to tear away unwanted roots and break up hardened ground. Affliction, persecution, and disappointment are not meant to destroy you; they are meant to prepare you for your harvest. The devil intended to bury you, but God was actually tilling the soil. Psalm 126:5 says, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” That means every tear you’ve cried was water for your next harvest.

Practical Application

Water what you want to grow. Spend time speaking God’s Word, praying with Him, and fellowshipping with a community of faith. Fruitfulness is a rhythm, not a rush. You need to intentionally create a schedule that keeps God at the center of your routine.

Matthew 13:8; John 15:16