"If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit." Leviticus 26:3-4
What comes to mind when you think of the word Increase? One would imagine receiving more in quantity, another will think of a promotion to something greater or growth in an area in one's life that's lacking vitality. Each initial thought is correct... it's all of those things. Increase is something we all strive and work towards. As humans, we measure how successful we are by how well we are able to see increase in our lives over time. Whether it’s in our career, education, family, marriage, ministry or relationships we want to see growth.
By definition, increase is to become or make greater in size, amount, intensity, or degree; It is an instance of growing or making greater. As children of God we are blessed with everything we need, yet there are areas where we have not seen the manifestation of some things in our lives. In other words, we haven't witnessed the "rain" or growth where we believe we need it the most.
Yet, God is willing to bring increase in every area of our lives when we yield to the leading of his Holy Spirit and walk in obedience by faith. Yielding is two-fold. As we yield to God, he in turn will allow the work of our hands to bring forth fruit in our season. As a believer, increase is a sign of obedience and submission to the Lord.
There is a balance that God is cultivating in us. Without obedience and wisdom from the Spirit of God, our stewardship would not be strong enough to handle the increase that God want to pour into our lives. If we are desiring increase then we need to seek those things that will cause us to maintain what we are asking our heavenly Father for.
So, when you pray, remember to balance your request. If you desire God to increase an area in your life, remember to ask for his Spirit of humility and obedience to steward the increase he is willing to bless you with.