Father God, Lord over all creation, we come before you again, humbling ourselves before your mighty throne. We take this opportunity to thank You for sending workers to harvest the seeds You have sown. Thank you for sowing a seed of forgiveness and giving us a mind to cultivate the seed as we forgive others. Thank you for encouraging us to continue to follow the way and the truth. Thank you for a compassionate heart and a steadfast spirit as we stand firm in the truth. Thank You for Your mercy that endures forever. Lord, we pray You will renew the minds of those growing weary and mean-spirited. Lord, we beseech You will guide our leaders to work peaceably with one mind and one spirit for the good of all humanity. Lord, we pray those in power will not forget the orphans and the widows, including those who are not like them. You said in your word we should “bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause” (Isaiah 1:17), and Lord, we take that means without regard to race, skin color, or religion. As I bring this message to hearers and doers of the Word, may the words of my mouth bear witness to my transformation as a new creation and my belief that you are omnipotent and omnipresent. Guide me to speak words pleasing to You and food for all people. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
Scripture tells us, "The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward” (Proverbs 11:18, ESV). The New Living Translation of the Bible puts it this way: “Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last” (Proverbs 11:18, NLT). This verse lets us know that if we plant good seeds and do not grow weary, we will reap that lasting reward of eternal life. King Solomon was a kingdom builder but grew weary, if only for a moment. He became distracted by the things of this world and allowed fleshly desires to become a priority. It took him a while, but in the end, he “let us hear the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, NKJV). Kingdom building is an excellent work with eternal rewards. Do not plant bad seeds like jealousy and strife. The wicked may grow rich by accumulating the things of this world, but we are not of this world.
We must fight the fight as if we are citizens of heaven. When we know who we are in Christ, we fight the good fight and do not become discouraged because we see evil prospering in this world. Now is the time to re-commit who we are to the Lord, speak the truth to one another, and make sound decisions for our family, church, and community. Whatever we do, we must work heartedly as for the Lord, not for man (Colossians 3:23). Let us do what the Lord says to do: plant the seed and wait for the harvest. The Lord will prune the excellent seed with His mighty and righteous right hand. I urge you to continue to trust the Lord and the Word of God! If we want to reap a harvest that grows in the physical and spiritual world, we must follow the Lord’s way and embrace His truth.
So, let us cast our cares upon the Lord and “not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9, CSB). If your spirits are low and you are ready to give up, ask the Lord, and He will renew your strength. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the troubles of this world, but God equips those He calls to work in the mission field and bring in the harvest. We must do what is necessary to become overcomers because God needs us in the mission field where “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Luke 10:2, NIV). Plant the seed, and do not become jealous when someone else waters the seed. Neither the planter nor the waterer is the grower. The one and only almighty God who has all power and sees all things can cause the seed to grow (1 Corinthians 3:6).
We are sanctified by the omnipotent and omnipresent Lord and made zealous for good works. We must be steadfast and immovable when the Lord counsels and encourages us. At some point, we must humble ourselves when we do the work of the Lord. Scripture tells us that “He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations” (Revelations 2:26). The Lord needs dependable, faithful disciples who are willing to work together to teach, counsel, and be an example for others. We cannot accomplish God’s mission and do our part to bring in the harvest if we are busy choosing sides. “What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, "I follow Paul," "I follow Apollos," "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:12, ESV). The Lord needs authentic, trustworthy disciples willing to speak out against evil no matter who is saying or doing it. Honestly, I tell you that we must never grow weary as we boldly proclaim the truth of God’s Word.
Too many pastors, deacons, mothers, and other church leaders are growing weary and taking an apathetic attitude about the wicked things that are happening in this world. Too many believe that a little sin is okay with God because no one is perfect. It is okay not to be perfect; I do not know anyone as perfect, including myself. However, there is a problem with saying these words as if they came from God’s mouth and are written in the Scriptures. God said: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48, KJB).
We need to concentrate on what we are, not what we are not. We must realize that those called by the Lord are responsible for exposing wickedness, not having fellowship with it, and condoning it. We need to recognize who we are dealing with, God’s enemy, and those enemies do not want to leave the darkness. “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to light, lest his works should be exposed” (John 3:20, ESV). I say to you who love the Lord, keep preaching and teaching the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and at the proper time we (You, I, and the Lord) will expose those who refuse to come to the light and reap a harvest.
Closing Prayer – Lord, help us be courageous. Honestly, I say we sincerely pray for the strength to take up the Sword of Truth, go into the mission field, and tear down the forces of evil. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
