“These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.” – Colossians 4:11
Scripture reading: Colossians 4:8-11
The church sings: “Lord of harvest, send forth reapers!” The devil must have figured he had put a stop to the Great Commission work of Jesus. He had the number one man, humanly speaking, behind bars. The churches in Philippi, Ephesus, and Colosse were rattled because their beloved Paul was in chains and perhaps facing execution. Yet Paul writes, “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has served to advance the gospel so that it has become known throughout the imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much bolder to speak the word without fear” (Philippians 1:12-14). Look at the list of men, Jews and Gentiles that are mentioned now to the Colossians and us. What great hope! Jesus Christ, the head of the church, firstborn of the creation, and image bearer of the invisible God, cannot be stopped; the Gates of Hades cannot prevail. Even in prison, where Paul looks for an opportunity to speak the truth to the prison guard, we see the hand of God.
The work of Jesus continues today with brave men on the mission field, both abroad and at home. Preachers bring the word faithfully from week to week here and worldwide. Please do not miss what God is doing and continue to sing and pray: “Lord of harvest, send forth reapers!
Suggestion for prayer
Pray the hymn, “Far and near the Fields are Teeming”
Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.
