A Plentiful Harvest

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV)

One day while I was traveling to a small rural city in China, I watched out the bus window to see literally miles of rice fields ripe for harvest. This abundant crop was the primary source of income for the small rural communities, therefore critical to their survival. Yet despite the impending loss of the harvest, very few laborers could be found among the fields, for many had sold out to better jobs and more comfortable lifestyles in the bigger cities.

This image often replays in my mind as my thoughts return to the abundant harvest of lost souls in the world. There are millions of people in the world interested and desiring to learn of spiritual things. Yet there are few who are willing to lay aside the creature comforts, roll up their pant legs and step into the flooded fields to save even one from dying without knowing their Savior.

In Matthew chapter 9, as Jesus looked out into the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36, NIV) What was his response to the helpless crowds? He told his disciples, “Ask the Lord of the harvest…to send out workers into His harvest field.” (Matthew 9:38, NIV)

The Bible says that some day, everyone will acknowledge Jesus as Lord, yet God’s plan is that all should worship Jesus as Lord. God does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11, NIV)

Ask God, the Lord of the harvest to send workers into His harvest field…and believe, for I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24, NIV) Then, be willing to allow God to send you.

Prayer Focus:
Psalm 127:1 says, Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. We, as workers sent into His harvest field, are the laborers. Let us not build in vain. We must bathe the Lord’s harvest and his laborers with prayer, believing God for the great work that He will perform in and through them…to the glory of God.

©2009 by Stephanie French. All rights reserved.