Heart For the Harvest: Voices

In every age there have been significant voices in the world. Now more than ever these voices can be heard as we read the newspaper, social media, listen to the radio, watch television, or even when we think of the world’s condition. The Bible also has much to say about voices. Sometimes the sounds we hear when we listen to the voices of the Bible or to the voices around us may be pleasant. These voices may be like music or like waves of the sea or like falling rain. But some of these voices may be unpleasant sounds—arguing, crying, or screams of anguish.

When the Bible speaks of voices, it may be speaking of the voice of John—one crying in the wilderness, or of Jesus crying with a loud voice, or of a prophet’s voice, or of Peter’s or Paul’s voice. Scripture tells us in 1 Corinthians 14:10 that there are many kinds of voices in the world.

We hear the voice of the millions of people who are desperate for help. People who are hungry, naked, sick, abused, oppressed, and even imprisoned. People are physically and spiritual in need all around us. Within people there are little wars waging and as believers we must take time to listen. 

There are voices that are calling too each of us to share a message of hope, freedom, and redemption. Scripture is very clear that we have all sinned and are all in need of a savior. Scripture also tells us that if we would "call on the name of the Lord, we will be saved" (Romans 10:13). However, people who are crying for hope, freedom, and redemption are the people searching for these thing in worldly pleasure, money, and materialism which only leads to more fear and frustration. And the little wars internally continue. 

Are you listening? May we listen and answer the call and command of God to "go into all the world" (Matthew 28:16) "so that all may hear (2 Timothy 4:17)."

The Apostle Paul was clear when he spoke to the Roman believers in Romans 10:13-17 when he said, "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they hav never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news (Isaiah 52:7)!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord who has believed what he has heard from us (Isaiah 53:1)?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

Maybe there are some who are saying the words of Isaiah, "Here am I, Lord. Send me wherever you wish, anywhere in the world. I will follow you wherever you lead." Maybe you would say, I see the need and I care and want to share. 

May the voice of the Savior continue to "go out to all the earth, and the words to the ends of the earth (Psalm 19:4)" through you as you embrace the Father's Heart For the Harvest.