"The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." (Jeremiah 8:20)
This may not be the deepest theological interpretation of the significance of this passage, but as I read it I thought of the harvest being ended. The farmer has left the fields, and the barn doors are shut. But what if some of the crops were not gathered? Now, it is too late.
Noah labored for many years building an ark. Everyone laughed at this man for his foolishness. No one had ever seen rain, what was he ranting about? But the rains came, and God had shut the door of the ark. It was too late.
There are two applications of this text that come to my mind. If you have never trusted in Jesus, there will be a time when it is too late. Either when you die, or the Lord returns. What if the harvest is all gathered, and the barn doors are shut, but you are still outside?
The other application is for those of us who are followers of Christ. How many are still in the fields waiting to hear the Gospel? There will be a time when it is too late to tell them.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Pray and do not lose heart
"And He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart." (Luke 18:1)
It would seem that our options are to either pray or to lose heart. Other translations say, "pray and do not faint." Jesus described the Christian life in John 15:5 with the illustration of a vine and branches. If you sever the branch from the vine it will wither and die. We are to abide in Christ in a relationship like the branch to the vine. One of the ways that we do that is through prayer.
Today I have one of those days that seems to have more in it than I can possibly do. I need to cut my grass, finish sermon preparation, attend a grandaughter's dance recital, perform a wedding, and go to a barbeque for a daughter that is leaving town. I am reminded of Martin Luther, the great reformer, who once said, "I have so much to do today that I must spend more time in prayer."
Prayer puts us in touch with the unlimited power and resources of God. Do not neglect your time in the prayer closet. You heavenly Father wants to spend quality time with you today.
It would seem that our options are to either pray or to lose heart. Other translations say, "pray and do not faint." Jesus described the Christian life in John 15:5 with the illustration of a vine and branches. If you sever the branch from the vine it will wither and die. We are to abide in Christ in a relationship like the branch to the vine. One of the ways that we do that is through prayer.
Today I have one of those days that seems to have more in it than I can possibly do. I need to cut my grass, finish sermon preparation, attend a grandaughter's dance recital, perform a wedding, and go to a barbeque for a daughter that is leaving town. I am reminded of Martin Luther, the great reformer, who once said, "I have so much to do today that I must spend more time in prayer."
Prayer puts us in touch with the unlimited power and resources of God. Do not neglect your time in the prayer closet. You heavenly Father wants to spend quality time with you today.
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