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.
A harvest is mentioned at least thrice in the two verses above, which signifies its strategic importance to Jesus, as He speaks to His disciples. What is the place of the harvest here? A harvest is 'the process or period of gathering in crops' and in this context, would mean the process or period of gathering in the souls that need to be won to the kingdom of God. I note that the verse states clearly who the audience is: the disciples, not the crowd or just anyone, but those who have a clear picture of what is at stake. Do you know what is at stake? Have I heard and heeded the call of God upon my life, so that the message in the verses above speak directly to me?
The picture here is one of resources, time, dedication, commitment consistency, and fervency to the things needed to be done to bring in the harvest. Furthermore, like the usual harvest, you need to get in the crops before the weather destroys the crops, or even human elements step in and walk through the harvest, destroying the crop. Even Jesus understood this, recognising that the labourers are indeed few. It appears that we have lost sight of what is truly important, and are focused on building empires and making money. Whilst there is nothing wrong with all that, Jesus reminds us to focus on that which truly has both earthly and eternal value. In all my pursuits, only that which God approves will be blessed by Him.
Jesus is asking me to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send labourers into His harvest. He knows what is at stake, and anyone who has the heart of God will also have the same focus. As I pray, I must also seek ways to be a part of what God is doing. Where are my skills and gifts needed in the work that needs to be done? The fields are ripe; the world is in trouble, even when it feels everything is fine. It is His harvest, so the work must be done in line with His dictates and direction. It cannot be on my own terms; I have to move at his command, if His kingdom will be established in the lives of men, and my eternal reward secured. No scheme of man will work; am I connected to the Lord of the harvest? Am I available for service? God's time of favour is here..
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