Daily EncouragementSample

The most encouraging feature of the Church’s missionary enterprise is that it is under the sovereign control of “the Lord of the harvest.” James Scherer has remarked, “Mission is God’s doing, not the result of human will or desire . . . God sets the timetable. He determines the means . . . He did not send the disciples out to undertake spiritual adventures at their own discretion.”

The sphere of the harvest is his. In the needy crowd our Lord saw a harvest field, and he said the field belonged to “the Lord of harvest.” It is his by right of creation and redemption (Ezek. 18:4; 1 John 2:2).

The sending of suitable workers is his prerogative. We are to ask him to send them out. He knows where to find them. He calls and sends them. He supplies their needs and he knows when to dispense with their services.

The success of the harvest is in his hands. He will ensure an abundant harvest and he will be in control at the final harvest home. “He shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied” (Isa. 53:11, AV).

In the light of all this, is it not clear that submission to “the Lord of the harvest” is the one essential for effective missionary endeavour?