GIRD AND SERVE

But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? (Luke 17:8 NKJV)

 There are two aspects of rural industry, agricultural, plowing and pastoral, keeping the sheep. Between them they also cover our service to men for Christ's sake. Some of us are engaged in plowing. In the short wintry days, when the last leaves are failing from the trees and the skies are covered by dense and dripping clouds, we go forth with our plow, or bearing precious seed. In loneliness, depression, and fear, we plow the furrows, and return crying: "Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?" Or we are called to keep the flock, seeking the straying, defending the attacked, tenderly nursing the sick and weak. In either of these avocations we often become weary, and in that condition "come in from the field."

When the spell of hard work is finished, we are inclined to relax! Surely, we think, we may give ourselves to the indulgence of natural and innocent appetite! But that is exactly what our Master does not intend, because He knows the subtle temptation of hours of ease. When we return from our labor, He does not say, "Go and sit down to meat," but He meets us on the threshold, saying, "Make ready and serve Me, till I have eaten and drunken, and afterward thou shalt eat and drink."

From this parable we are surely to infer that our Lord says in effect: "You have been working for Me, but I have missed you. You have been so engaged in guiding the plow through the heavy clay, or watching against the lion and bear, that you have forgotten Me, and have allowed the hours to pass without speaking to Me a single word, or listening for My voice."

When Christ's work is done, let's turn to our Lord Himself and minister to Him; prepare for Him a feast of faith and love and joy; of heart melody and voice music. After this we may eat and drink. He will even gird Himself, and come forth to serve us (John 13:4-14).

PRAYER

We desire, dear Lord, that You should be more to us than Your work. It is not enough for us to plow Your fields or keep Your sheep, we want to serve You most of all. Help us to keep You in view all day, and whatsoever our hands find to do, may we do it in love to You. I ask these things in Your name, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #301:
Those who overcome will not be hurt by the second death.

Revelation 2:11 (WEB)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
He who overcomes won’t be harmed by the second death.