Midweek Message from the Archive
Spiritual Farmers
Farmers are courageous people because their livelihood depends on the weather and the weather depends on God. They work hard, have long hours, and find patience to be invaluable. A farmer’s harvest depends on the rain; too much or too little precipitation determines their crop and their crop determines their provision for the year. God and patience; that’s the lower story.
There’s a spiritual harvest coming that believers should be involved in because we are spiritual farmers; that’s the upper story. It’s the final harvest of souls that’s promised before the Return of the Lord. It’s the third of the three Feasts of the Lord from the Old Testament and the only one that Jesus hasn’t yet fulfilled: The Feast of Tabernacles. Like a natural harvest it also dependent on rain, a spiritual rain, and God’s timing.
Ask the LORD for rain in the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone. Zechariah 10:1
God’s desire is for all to be saved but that desire does not mean that all will humble themselves to Him; not all will repent and come to Him for forgiveness. As scripture tells us there will be a specific day, determined by Him, when the spiritual harvest is finally complete. That’s the day that believers are patiently waiting and eagerly working toward: the final harvest of souls.
How are you working toward that day? Are you involved in a church that has outreaches to your community: feeding the poor, visiting the lonely, or clothing the needy? Do you support ministries in other nations that reach the lost? How do you spend your free time? Is it totally focused on ‘you’ or others? Consider your strengths, your gifts, and your talents and get out there and sow some seeds or plow some fields!
When the farmer’s crop has finally ripened they don’t just sit back and do nothing, they either get out there themselves or they hire people to bring in the harvest. That’s you and that’s me. My question for you is simply this: Are you ready for that final harvest day?
As you’re patiently waiting with other believers for His Return I encourage you to get involved in the harvest of souls. In other words, be evangelistic yourself and support ministries that share the gospel with your community and the nations. Be personally ready and teach your children or grandchildren to be ready for His Return.
Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door! James 5:7-9 NLT
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