call him while he is near.
Even if it is noon, or three o'clock or even five the LORD can still be found. It isn't too late for us.
The Lord is near to all who call upon him.
The LORD is constantly checking the markets. He is near to us if we just call out to him to take advantage of his closeness. The LORD of the Harvest is always looking for laborers to send out into the vineyard. The harvest is abundant and the laborers. So who are all of these people standing around that hear the landowner say, "Why do you stand here idle all day?"
They are standing idle in the market. It seems like they are looking for work. Maybe they're still here because they are hoping for a better offer. The landowner already made the rounds once, after all. Or maybe that is just what they are telling themselves. Maybe they are reluctant to do any work at all. And as the day draws on all work seems less and less worth it because their is less and less to do and therefore less wages to earn. Or is there?
let him turn to the LORD for mercy;
to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
It isn't too late. We just need to opt-in before day's end. He's available. He is waiting for us. He is knocking at the door to our hearts.
The Lord is near to all who call upon him.
The LORD is generous. He offers eternal life to all, regardless of when they start. He offers deeply meaningful work in his own vineyard. He makes us his coworkers. The dignity of this work is such that every hour is valuable. It is so good and so important that Paul is willing to wait to cash out even though he knows the reward that awaits his labors.
I long to depart this life and be with Christ,
for that is far better.
Yet that I remain in the flesh
is more necessary for your benefit.
This isn't possible on a level of purely human motivation. But Paul knows what the psalmist knows:
The Lord is near to all who call upon him.
The LORD is calling Paul to continue in the vineyard. Because the LORD is near to him Paul can remain in the flesh for the benefit of his congregation. Perhaps it is just for another hour. Perhaps it is for many years. Either way the wages are the same. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (cf. Rom. 6:23). He is not just laboring for God as if to earn something. He is laboring as God's coworker (cf. 1 Cor. 3:9) for the sake of the kingdom. The LORD is near him and that is what gives him strength.
So if we are idle we need to get to work. It is good work with good pay. What do we do about those who we see remain idle even when we get down to business? We should be ready to encourage them! It isn't too late for them either. The offer made to us is available to them. Eternal life! We shouldn't envy them even if they are like the good thief on the cross. He accepts the offer only at the last minute. This isn't something to envy. It is something to celebrate.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
God is generous! We can't earn this. But we can accept it. He is constantly near us with the invitation. In turn, we ought to get excited about a God who is so generous. We should tell everyone who is still idle that there is something worth doing and that they can still make the only wage that ultimately means anything.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
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