Harvest!

Harvest!

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:37‭-‬38‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[37] Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 

[38] Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Following on from yesterday's devotion, it is clear that we have been called to serve in a specific location, on a specific assignment and for a specific season. God calls me to be a part of his end-time ministry to the world as He prepares to return to the earth to take home all who are eagerly awaiting His return. The picture presented in today's extract is that of the owner of a field that needs work to be done to bring in the harvest. As we know, there is danger in leaving ripe fruit on the tree beyond a particular point. If ripe fruit is not promptly harvested as soon as it is due, it may lead to rot, litter or a big smelly mess. It would also mean that in order to ensure that the harvest is brought in, there has to be willing workers and labourers who know what the work of harvest requires and are willing to put in the work. 

Can God count on me in these end times to be a part of the workforce required to bring in the due harvest? It appears from the verses above that the harvest is already due to be brought in. If in Jesus' time here, the harvest was already plenteous, imagine how plenteous and overflowing the harvest will be in our own time today. It is of no use asking men and women who do not want to get their hands dirty to help with the work of harvest. Harvest is hard work; the quantity of seed and the labour required for sowing the seed cannot be compared with the quantity of fruit and space ecpected and required for the harvest that will follow. It appears that the devil is trying to convince men that what is more important is how to be relevant in the world by power, position and possessions. The devil seems able to occupy the hearts of many people, convincing them to focus on the things of the world rather than on the things dear to the heart of God. 

That which is dear to God's heart is laid out in the verses above; the labour to bring in the due harvest. God has already gone ahead of us to prepare the hearts of men to hear the Word. He has promised us His presence and power as we work with Him to bring in the harvest. I must pray to the owner of the field to find and send labourers - men who will put in the work required. Labourers also work for a determined season and they get due wages at the end of their service. What wages could be greater than eternal life with God? What else can I get that will match or surpass the joy that my service brings to God's heart? He is the Lord of the harvest, and He can raise men from anywhere to carry out the work required in the harvest. Can He count on you? Can He count on me? God's time of favour is here.