“In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand…Blessed are you who sow beside all waters…” Ecclesiastes 11:6, Isaiah 32:20
One of the most dominant themes of the New Testament is that of the coming of Christ, either to take His church to be with Himself at the rapture, or His second coming to earth to establish His reign on earth. Why is this event so very important? The answer lies in the matter of accountability, blessing, and supremely the glory of God. The coming of Christ is an event, at a particular time. With respect to men on this earth, it is a point of meeting, Christ with man, man with Christ. There is no escaping this meeting, whether the event will be welcomed with great joy, or great fear. It will surely come at a specific time that only the Father knows. For some it will come as a “thief in the night,” or when the watchmen upon the walls are no longer looking for Him. On the other hand there will be those who are ready to meet the Lord, for they look for Him every day. They are ready to meet Him for they are not without purpose, and focus, not wasting time and strength, in matters not pertaining to the kingdom. They see themselves as “sons” of the Father, servants of Christ, with the privilege and mandate to seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness. They are worshippers of Christ, serving Him in that capacity, and according to the opportunity that the Lord gives. In other words, they are joyfully about the Father’s business, abiding in Christ, rejoicing in His joy, living to please Him by the accomplishing of His will, and His work. So, why do we consider the earth’s remotest end, and sowing in the morning and evening beside ALL waters? It has to do also with a certain period of time, fixed in heaven, to reach the world with the knowledge of the gospel of Christ, so that many souls can be saved, and Christ formed in them for God’s glory. What then is the believer, the disciple of Christ to do? What does the Eternal Potter have to say to the clay, those whom He loves, and has chosen to go and bear much fruit?
The first thing is for the believer to see, and grasp, that his or her calling is primarily, and essentially to fellowship with God, communion with the Father and the Son by the Spirit. Each individual believer in the body of Christ is called to know and experience this highest and most blessed result and purpose of Christ’s work on the cross. Forgiveness of sins, deliverance from the domination of sin as a principle and law in one’s flesh, the victory over all the powers of darkness which would hold the soul in bondage through lies, deception, and blindness, has been accomplished in Christ. The believer has been set free to know God by communion with Him. John the Apostle put it like this: “…That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and TRULY our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3) If one is to bear the fruit of Christ’s life, then he must know Christ, abide in Him, walking daily by the Spirit of Christ according to the will of God for the glory of God. This is first and foremost.
The second thing concerning preparedness is that of personal worship of God the Father, and Christ by the Spirit. Why? God is known, and becomes a reality to us, as our perception of Him is true. Worshipping God according to the truth of His word, relying upon the Spirit of God for clarity of vision, depending upon Him for the power to worship, opens the door for a greater, and ever-deepening, and increasing experience and knowledge of God. True service is born out of the worship of Christ by the Spirit.
Dear Father, Make us abiding servants. In Jesus’ name, Amen.