Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest (Matthew 9:37-38).

As a pianist, I’ve watched and listened to people sing for many years. When asked about hymns, some can recite the chorus but not the verses. Others can tell you what the song is about, but not the deeper thought within the work. But there is so much more we can learn when we read lyrics and recall God’s Word. Let’s look at Labor On and make it ours!

The Author

Born in 1830, C.R. Blackall served as a doctor in the American Civil War. Later, he became secretary of the Baptist Publication Society. He wrote over a hundred songs.

The Song

In the harvest field there is work to do,
For the grain is ripe, and the reapers few;
And the Master’s voice bids the workers true
Heed the call that He gives today.

The writer tells us it is not enough to hear the call. The faithful will answer the Master’s bidding.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me (Isaiah 6:8).

And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh (Jude 1:22-23)

Labor On, labor on,
Keep the bright reward in view,
For the Master has said He will strength renew;
Labor on till the close of day.

We are not called to the field to go it alone. The Lord is strengthening, leading, and blessing us. All we need to do is lean on Him and keep our goal in mind.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness (Lamentations 3:21-23).

In the gleaner’s path may be rich reward,
Tho’ the time seems long, and the labor hard;
For the Master’s joy, with His chosen shared,
Drives the gloom from the darkest day.

There is no time to lose. We must gather and fill the garner while it is day. Singing keeps the heart light and the spirit glad while we work. Praise the Lord for the harvest.

He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame (Proverbs 10:5).

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him (Psalm 126:6).

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Lo! the Harvest Home in the realms above
Shall be gained by each who has toiled and strove,
When the Master’s voice in His words of love,
Calls away to eternal day.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:34).

And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever (Revelations 22:4-5).

In Closing

The next time you are in church, I hope you will read the lyrics, seek the deeper meaning, and sing it like you mean it. Hymns are sermons written to music. Also, please think of this post as a reminder and not a reprimand. Kingdom work is hard. We often spend a lifetime in the fields in one capacity or another. This post is a reminder to keep going. God is with us. There are brighter days ahead. But until then, we need to gather the harvest. Let us be true in the work of the Lord. God bless!