Day 82: No Laborers, No Rain

This passage, I feel, holds a very interesting spiritual principle that, if we would apply it, could yield maximum fruit in the Spirit-empowered movement. The gist of the scripture is this: God will not send rain on the earth until He has laborers to tend the harvest.

In Spirit-filled circles we have seen amazing services, conferences, and camp meetings. They are marked with great singing, great preaching, excitement, and zeal. We love our services so much, that now people will plan their spiritual lives based upon events rather than a daily walk with God. We have become great at gathering people, but we have a hard time sending people. And then as leaders we wonder why the church isn’t moving forward, why the attendance is declining, and why we aren’t seeing visitors. It’s because we are entertaining saints and appeasing the preferences of the saved instead of commissioning and challenging them to go into the harvest. This may be why we aren’t seeing the rain of God’s presence, because we have no laborers to tend the harvest. This is an issue, however, that has a remedy.

In Genesis 2:4-5, God lets us know that there will be no rain because he doesn’t have a man to till the ground. This is very similar to what the prophet Hosea said. Watch how this same principle plays out in this Scripture: “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you” (Hosea 10:12). The working of the field precedes the rain that comes from the Lord.

God is looking for laborers who will daily cultivate the land through their personal devotion to Him. We need Spirit-filled leaders who walk with God daily and equip their people to be laborers in the land. When the land is cultivated, then we can expect the rain of His presence to come every time. If we will just be faithful to labor in His harvest field, then He will be faithful to send the rain and bring the increase.

What is the Holy Spirit saying to me?

ACTIVATION

• Pray for laborers in God’s harvest field! Ask the Lord to raise up passionate men and women who will spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

• Encourage your circle of friends in their witness. Keep each other accountable in sharing the Gospel.

• Equip your flock to be witnesses and carriers of the Gospel.

FURTHER STUDY

Matthew 9:37–38; 1 Corinthians 3:6; John 4:35

Pastor Larry & Pat Downing
Foothills Community Church
Collections of thoughts from varied sources
Scripture verses from KJV or NIV unless specified