Unprecedented Harvest
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Christ’s redeemed ones are His jewels, His precious and peculiar
treasure. “They shall be as the stones of a crown”—“the riches of the
glory of His inheritance in the saints.”
Zechariah 9:16
;
Ephesians 1:18
.
In them “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.”
Isaiah 53:11
.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:308, 309
.
Eyes on the Ultimate Harvest—In this life our work for God
often seems to be almost fruitless. Our efforts to do good may be
earnest and persevering, yet we may not be permitted to witness their
results. To us the effort may seem to be lost. But the Saviour assures
us that our work is noted in heaven, and that the recompense cannot
fail. The apostle Paul, writing by the Holy Spirit, says: “Let us not
be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint
not.” And in the words of the psalmist we read: “He that goeth forth
and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with
rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Galatians 6:9
;
Psalm 126:6
.
And while the great final reward is given at Christ’s coming, true-
hearted service for God brings a reward, even in this life. Obstacles,
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opposition, and bitter heartbreaking discouragements the worker will
have to meet. He may not see the fruit of his toil. But in face of all
this he finds in his labor a blessed recompense. All who surrender
themselves to God in unselfish service for humanity are in cooperation
with the Lord of glory. This thought sweetens all toil, it braces the will,
it nerves the spirit for whatever may befall. Working with unselfish
heart, ennobled by being partakers of Christ’s sufferings, sharing His
sympathies, they help to swell the tide of His joy, and bring honor and
praise to His exalted name....
And while much of the fruit of their labor is not apparent in this
life, God’s workers have His sure promise of ultimate success. As
the world’s Redeemer, Christ was constantly confronted with apparent
failure. He seemed to do little of the work which He longed to do
in uplifting and saving. Satanic agencies were constantly working to
obstruct His way. But He would not be discouraged. Ever before Him
He saw the result of His mission. He knew that truth would finally
triumph in the contest with evil, and to His disciples He said: “These
things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the
world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome
the world.”
John 16:33
. The life of Christ’s disciples is to be like
His, a series of uninterrupted victories, not seen to be such here, but