Day 34 – In the Villages: The Harvest is Plentiful

“Then He 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).

These verses have been translated into every language. The harvest is plentiful all over the world. Right now, while you are reading these words, the harvest is plentiful in Finland, Slovenia, Thailand, Paraguay, Bangladesh, Iran, Libya, and yes, the harvest is vast America.

The problem has never been with the harvest. The problem is with the workers. We don’t have enough of them. We’ve got good workers, hard workers, dedicated workers, kind, sincere, Christ-loving, gospel-preaching, and spirit-filled workers. We just don’t have enough of them. So, the harvest rots in the field because there are not enough of them. What should we do about it?

Our way and God’s way are not the same way. We want to organize to get more workers for the harvest field, but Jesus said, “Pray earnestly.”

First, we pray. Then we preach.

First, we pray. Then we organize.

First, we pray. Then we go.

Prayer comes first because the harvest belongs to the Lord. It is quite literally His harvest. He knows where the harvest is, He knows when it is coming in, He knows how many workers are needed, and He knows who is needed when and where.

As we think about the worldwide harvest, remember that Jesus is Lord of China, He is Lord of the Ukraine, He is Lord of Uganda, and He is Lord of Vietnam. All nations are His. So, then, let us pray with great confidence to the Lord of the harvest that He might send forth more workers. While we are at it, let’s ask the Lord to send us anywhere we might be useful to help bring the harvest in.

Lord of the nations, we see the vast harvest before us, ripening every day in every nation. Raise up workers for the harvest fields around the world. Send us anywhere you need us to help bring your harvest in. Amen.