Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. —Matthew 9:38
The key to the missionary’s difficult task is in the hand of God, and that key is prayer, not work— that is, not work as the word is commonly used today, which often results in the shifting of our focus away from God. The key to the missionary’s difficult task is also not the key of common sense, nor is it the key of medicine, civilization, education, or even evangelization.
The key is in following the Master’s orders— the key is prayer. “Pray the Lord of the harvest….” In the natural realm, prayer is not practical but absurd. We have to realize that prayer is foolish from the commonsense point of view.From Jesus Christ’s perspective, there are no nations, but only the world. How many of us pray without regard to the persons, but with regard to only one Person— Jesus Christ? He owns the harvest that is produced through distress and through conviction of sin. This is the harvest for which we have to pray that laborers be sent out to reap. We stay busy at work, while people all around us are ripe and ready to be harvested; we do not reap even one of them, but simply waste our Lord’s time in over-energized activities and programs.
Suppose a crisis were to come into your father’s or your brother’s life— are you there as a laborer to reap the harvest for Jesus Christ? Is your response, “Oh, but I have a special work to do!” No Christian has a special work to do. A Christian is called to be Jesus Christ’s own, “a servant [who] is not greater than his master” (John 13:16), and someone who does not dictate to Jesus Christ what he intends to do. Our Lord calls us to no special work— He calls us to Himself. “Pray the Lord of the harvest,” and He will engineer your circumstances to send you out as His laborer.
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October 16 2015
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
Good morning Lord. This devotional reminded me that I long for the “knowing” that seemed to fill me every time I prayed “Knowing” You are there listening, “knowing” that You will meet my needs and the needs of those I have brought to You; “knowing” that all things work for the good of those that love the Lord. Father God, this devotional reminded me that I long for the reassurance of Abba (Daddy) this morning. Like the father of the boy that said, “I believe, help me in my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) I long for the reassurance that was just there yesterday and what seems like just a few moments ago.
And God says…”This side of heaven, you will always need reassurance, and you find it in prayer. Pray without ceasing, stay in communication with Me by surrendering and being connected daily, hourly, minute by minute. I will never leave you and I will never condemn you, because there is no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus. I have told you this. When you feel disconnected, remember the promises I give you, and also consider; are you trusting your fickle feelings or the word of God? Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding or feelings, and I will make your paths straight. The reassurance you seek comes from your surrender and our connection, as you are led by the Spirit of God to my love, grace and mercy that flow from my word. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will provide everything else you require, including reassurance of my presence and our connection.”
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