"Lord Of Harvest, Send Forth Reapers"

The story is told of a painter who was commissioned to portray a run-down church. But instead of an old, tottering ruin, he painted a magnificent edifice of modern design. Through the windows could be seen an ornate collection box for the gifts of the fashionable worshipers. Above it hung a sign bearing the inscription “For Missions.” Sadly, the box was covered in cobwebs.

The church, or the individual whose heart and life is not involved in the worldwide proclamation of the gospel, is on the way to spiritual ruin. We may be engaged in feverish “Christian activity,” but our energies are misdirected if the main thrust of God’s directive for the Christian age goes unattended (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16).

God has so designed His plan of world evangelism that every believer is to be vitally involved. We all should “pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:38). Some will hear the gospel’s call to be preachers — otherwise, “how shall they hear?” (Romans 10:14). Still others will be givers and senders, for “how shall they preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:15).

Beloved, let there be no cobwebs over the cause of world missions because of our lack of concern.

May our prayer ever be:

"Lord of harvest, send forth reapers,
Hear us, Lord, to Thee we cry;
Send them now the sheaves to gather,
Ere the harvest time pass by." —J.O. Thompson

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets