Tuesday, 19th September 2023
Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: DIRE REPORT, DEEP RESPONSE
THEME SCRIPTURE: “Therefore said he unto them, the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into His harvest.” – Matthew 10:2
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- Why must we pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His field?
- Who is the Lord of the Harvest?
Jesus came to this earth to seek and save the lost. This agenda also informed the Great Commission given to God’s people by Jesus, our Lord.
Seeking and saving the lost is God’s top agenda. But the question is, “How must we [who have been saved] respond to God’s top agenda?”
Nehemiah was in the Persian palace at Shushan. At one time, a relative called Hanani came to visit him with some others from Judah. Nehemiah used the opportunity to enquire about the Jews in Judah and also Jerusalem (Neh 1:2). A dire report was presented to Nehemiah—the remnant Jews are in great distress and reproach, and the walls of Jerusalem are broken down and its gates are burnt with fire (Neh 1:3). Nehemiah was comfortable in the palace yet his response was deep. His response was this: “When I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven” (Neh 1:4).
Why did Nehemiah respond so mournfully, with prayer and fasting to the bad news?
Beloved, dire report require deep response. It is not enough to be comfortable when others are suffering. It’s not kindness when others are hungry and you’re full and unperturbed. Today, there’re many in our world who are in great distress. They are broken and wounded by life’s circumstances; they are hurting and desperate. Some cry every day, wondering, “Who will help my wretched soul?” The devil has disenfranchised them.
They seek the way of escape but God alone is big enough to save them. Dire report needs deep response.
Jesus admonished that we lift up our eyes toward the field. Too many are battered in life, and it is an opportunity to respond with the gospel. For whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Rom 10:13). But how shall they call on whom they have not heard, and how can they hear of God and the goodnews without a preacher? So, first, Jesus admonished, “Pray the Lord of the harvest...”
Who is the Lord of the harvest? The Holy Spirit is the Lord of the Harvest. He is the one to convict the world of sin, and of righteousness and judgment.
To bring help to our broken world will require that the Holy Spirit of God guides and lead us, teaching us what to say. The laborers are also few. We must respond with deep prayer to God to raise Evangelists and Pastors for our time. In the marketplace; in the board room and in the courtroom; in the schools and prisons, pray that God will raise laborers to bring the message of the gospel to all. You can’t stand aloof and say, “I am saved; I am comfortable. Why worry about the unsaved of the world?” Rather, your deep response in the Holy Ghost can ignite the needed change. Remain blessed.
FURTHER READING – Nehemiah 1
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- How often are you praying for the salvation of souls—your friends, work colleagues, relatives and the unsaved in the nations of the world?
- How well do you pray for missionaries scattered around the globe?
PRAYER
Precious Holy Spirit of God, I pray asking this day that you will send helpers into your field—men and women, young and old, educated and uneducated—who are determined never to be deterred. I receive your help also for missionaries who are sending the Light into the darkness. Please, continue to raise helpers to undergird them to do more what you have called them to do, in Jesus’ name.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
I Chronicles 2; Ezekiel 15; Luke 11
Comments powered by CComment