“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...
Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.Leviticus 19:32
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
In
an age where respect is little known and even less practiced, showing
honor for those who are older is often overlooked. Yet in this place, by
the LORD's own word, showing respect for the elderly ranks right up
there with reverencing God. But then we shouldn't be surprised, since
God made honoring parents the very first commandment (in the Ten
Commandments — Exodus 20) directed at our relationship with others — the first four commandments were directed at our relationship with him!
My Prayer...
Holy and Eternal God, thank you for my parents in the flesh and in the faith. Please give those who have been my spiritual mentors a special blessing. Without their guidance, I'm not sure where I would have ended up. Help me as I grow older to not only mature, but to also gain the character that will be needed by those whom you have placed before me to influence. May we, young and old alike, restore dignity and respect to our relationships before you in our generation. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.
Today's Verse Illustrated...
Selling Bible Study Helps by Ed Koehler
Dear Readers,
Sorry I am Late Today... We had two long days (Thur & Fri) of Dr. Appts in New Orleans for Elaine and are moving slowly today...
Richard...
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