December 18 Harvest Strength

Luke 10:2-3 He told them (the 72), “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.”
 
WE are so far removed from understanding Christianity in this way, aren’t we?  “Lambs among wolves”  is a frightening picture we seldom, if ever, consider in our faith.  In urgent language, Jesus defines discipleship as a very vulnerable calling. You are open to attack and destruction from people who are eager to destroy you. We know this is true. The early church experienced many martyrs. Men and women, who also spoke the true gospel of God in the Middle Ages were persecuted and destroyed by the “church” of that day. Generation upon generation has seen Jesus’ disciples devoured by evil’s wolves. Certainly, this is true and in the news today. The harvest is plentiful. The risk is enormous. The journey is dangerous. What do we do?
   The only thing we can do, aa we have learned from Jesus, is to devoutly become and be his disciple. Is this not how you are a  Christian? You can testify to earlier martyrs’ discipleship as being the reason you know the Bible and confess Christ today. Christians around the can point to people who put aside their own will and lived resolutely into God’s will to bring in the harvest. Each populated continent on earth has received the gospel because a few disciples braved the natural elements, bigotry and animosity to establish the cornerstone of Christ in the land.
   Out of such faith, revivals occurred. True understandings of Scripture were taught. People then realized their sin and came to faith in the Savior. The Holy Spirit harvested the souls of God’s own as his disciples went into the fields ripe for soul harvest.
   Regardless of where we go, the way is difficult. Still, we must continue to move the gospel forward as it has been moved to us. Paul reminds us of faithful discipleship through hardship in Philippians 4:12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
   Often, we use these rich words of encouragement to help ourselves or others walk through some dark valleys. Let’s be mindful, too, to consider these words for our walk with the “wolves” waiting for us, be encouraged the Lord’s strength is with you.
 
Prayer: Lord God, in you I rejoice for the faithful workers of the past. Urge me to be a faithful worker for the future harvest. Amen.