“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.’” – Matthew 9:37
All the year round, every hour of every day, God is richly blessing us; when we are asleep and when we awaken, His mercy waits upon us. The sun may leave us a legacy of darkness, but God never ceases to shine upon His children with beams of love. Like a river, His loving-kindness is always flowing, with a fullness as inexhaustible as His own nature. Like the atmosphere that constantly surrounds the earth and is always ready to support the life of man, the kindness of God surrounds all His creatures; in it, as in their element, they live and move and have their being.
Just as the sun on summer days gladdens us with warmer and brighter rays than at other times, and as rivers in certain seasons are swollen by the rain, and as the air itself is sometimes filled with fresher breezes than at other times, so is it with the mercy of God; it has its golden hours, its overflowing days, when the Lord magnifies His grace before the children of men. The joyful days of harvest are a special season of abundant favor. It is the glory of autumn that the ripe gifts of providence are then generously bestowed; it is the mellow season when we enjoy all that we had hoped for. The joy of harvest is great. The reapers are happy to fill their arms with the abundance of heaven.
The psalmist tells us that the harvest is the crowning of the year. Surely these crowning mercies merit a crowning thanksgiving! Let us render it by the inward emotions of gratitude. Let our hearts be warmed; let our spirits remember, meditate, and think upon this goodness of the Lord. Then let us praise Him with our lips and honor and magnify His name who is the source of all this goodness. Let us glorify God by offering our gifts to His cause. A practical proof of our gratitude is a special thank-offering to the Lord of the harvest.
Lord, thank you so much for the rich harvests in my life. Thank you for the blessings of safety, peace, joy, beauty, work, and play that surround my life. Your loving-kindness toward me is always flowing, and I am so grateful. Lord, help me use these blessings to bless others. Help me have eyes to see the needy and a heart that longs to give gracious gifts toward others, as you have given graciously toward me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Today's Bible Verse...
The inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, "Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going."—Zechariah 8:21
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
This Messianic message from Zechariah anticipates the day of the LORD's redemption. Many different peoples, from all over the world, will come looking for the great mercy of God. God's people will have one key phrase on their hearts: "Let's go seek the presence of God. I'm going; why don't you join me?" As believers, we know Jesus has come, has died, and has been raised from the dead. We know Jesus is returning with salvation for all who truly know and follow him. Let's ask others to join us in going to the great celebration of grace and salvation at his return!
My Prayer...
Loving Father, I seek your presence daily in my life. Without your guidance, love, holiness, and truth, I would be lost and confused. Knowing that my destiny is with you, I look forward to seeing you face to face as your child. Please lead me to those who do not know you, but who are seeking you. Give me eyes to see them, ears to hear their cry, and wisdom to know how to share your grace. Use me to prepare them to meet you at the great Day of Redemption that is coming with your Son. In the name of Christ Jesus my Lord. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.
Today's Verse Illustrated...
Visitors in a Church of Clones by Erik Johnson
No comments:
Post a Comment