Devotion for Tuesday

Tuesday 7. October 2014 

Trinity 16 

Then Jesus said to His disciples: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9,37-38 ESV) 

The fall harvest is fast approaching in North America. Much of it is now mechanized, but one hundred years ago it wasn't much different than Jesus' day: the harvest demanded many workers in order to bring in the crop. 

It may not seem like the harvest is ripe. Our region seems more concerned with everything else but God. So many activities vie for attention and God gets placed last or not at all. People's hunger and thirst for God and His Word seems to be non-existent, even in the hearts and minds of Christians. 

Nevertheless, the harvest is near. Perhaps not as abundant a harvest as it was in the days of Matthew 9, but there is still a harvest to be gathered in. A few at a time, haphazardly, and still the Holy Spirit works. The mind and will of sinful human beings greatly resists the working of the Holy Spirit, but He is patient, and we must be patient too. Jesus reminds us that the angels in heaven rejoice over just one sinner who repents and believes (Luke 15,10). 

One thing is the same. The laborers are few! We don't have enough pastors, missionaries and others to handle the harvest in some parts of the world. So we pray for the Holy Spirit to grant more workers, grant a bigger harvest and to encourage every Christian to help bring in the harvest. 

Prayer: O Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd of Your people, we give You thanks for Your servants of the harvest. Give strength to pastors today who shepherd Your flock so that, by Your grace, Your people may grow into the fullness of life intended for them in paradise; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.  Amen.