The Song of Moses & The Lamb - Prophetic Gallery SeriesExemplo

The Angels Help in Times of Harvest and Endurance  

Thoughts on the Passage

Here is another role of angels described. Here we see them strengthen God’s people in times of great difficulty and times when we faithfully share, but no one responds. 

They strengthen the weary and give us endurance when the road is difficult. It is most difficult for people who start ministry. They do all the hard work and at times there is little response; at times there is great opposition; and at times there are dark nights of the soul. An angel came to Jesus in such a moment in Luke 22 and strengthened Him as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. If God calls us to endurance that goes beyond our strength – expect angels to come and help you!

Also, Jesus tells us that not everyone gets to experience great times of harvest. Some sow… and wait for the seed to take root. However, He says that the reaper “enters into the labor” of the sower – in other words, they are a team. Some get the privilege of reaping and it is a great time. Some just wait with endurance as they work through the tough times. God gives them angels to help them, He gives them the endurance that they need to do their part of the job, and He gives them their reward in heaven when all is said and done.

However, we see something else in this passage. In the midst of great calls for endurance, there is also a sign that the harvest is ready as well. It does not seem like harvest time – in fact it may seem like planting time as we share God’s word faithfully. However, Jesus says that even then, the harvest is ripe and we need to be harvesting.

Prayer

Father, we all need help with endurance during the difficult times of sowing. You gave Jesus help with an angel when He needed strength and endurance. You promise to help us in times when we struggle and want to give up. I have been there too. Help me to remember that there are angels around strengthening my heart at these times. When I wonder if following You is worth it, remind me that I have help at these times as well. Finally, give me a heart that seeks to reap the harvest as well. I know it is harvest time. The physical world and the spiritual work are often out of sync. What we see is not reality. So, like Jesus speaking to His followers and reminding them not to look at the physical fields, give me eyes to see it is harvest time in the spiritual realm. In Jesus' Name, Amen.