02/06/2018
Do you ever wonder if you are effectively serving the Lord? Can you look at your life and see the fruit of your faith, and smell the sweetness of it as it ripens? It is wonderful when this happens and we can see our impact on the kingdom, but more often we serve Him in secret and without causing a ripple on the surface of life to show for it.
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:3-4 ESV
If you are living a Godly life it shouts to those around you, yet you walk in silence. If you write a simple note of encouragement to someone it lifts them up, but they may never tell you how much. Obeying God in ways such as this places your reward in a cupboard in heaven, and it faithfully awaits you there. No ripple, no shouting, no discernible earthly reward, just clinging to the vine of Jesus, and bearing fruit that goes without much earthly remark. It takes great faith to serve in this manner... it takes abiding in Him to bear fruit that only He knows the full taste of.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 ESV
Are you strong enough? Jesus says that we are not... He says that unless we abide in Him we can do nothing. Abiding in Him brings us the strength we need each day to pray in secret, to deliver alms without recognition and fanfare, to present Him to the world by our humility and kindness, and to quietly deliver His gospel in thousands of small subtle ways to a thirsty world in which a sip of Him is as powerful as a waterfall. Are you strong enough to do this without receiving accolades from the world?
“But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV
Jesus contained within Him the power of God. He had the same ability and strength that caused the flood of Noah, that destroyed Sodom, that brought down the walls of Jericho, and, yes, that sustained the Israelites in the desert... yet what He showed us was humility, and what the world would call weakness. He let His disciples define Him for themselves...
“And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ."”
Mark 8:29 ESV
And He let Pilate define Him before the fallen world...
“And Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" And he answered him, "You have said so." Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no guilt in this man."”
Luke 23:3-4 ESV
This is Jesus, who could have ruled the world in power, who could have destroyed it with a word, who could have changed it by decree, but chose to save it by humbly allowing himself to become a sacrifice... by succumbing to its wrath, and taking on its sin. This is who strengthens those who pray in secret, and who give without causing a ripple. This is who lifts up the world in the hands of untold millions of gentle souls, and presents it to God.
“"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
Matthew 6:5 ESV
So take heart, and walk in humility, and meekness among the lions of this world. You serve God mightily in ways that are not understood or valued by them. You don’t do battle with the lions and hyenas, and yet they are powerless to consume you without your allowing it... this is strength... this is effectively serving the kingdom of God, and it is what goes quietly without notice by all but God Himself, and those who serve Him.
“For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."”
John 10:17-18 ESV
We do the Lord’s will, and serve Him. Our fruit is not intended to be consumed on earthy tables, but heavenly ones, and thus we pray in secret here, yet shout in heaven. You are walking meekly through this life, but boldly before God, and Jesus strengthens us for the journey, and intercedes for us before the throne. Do not lose heart as you quietly slip through this world, or doubt the impact you are making for the kingdom of God... you are a sweet taste in His mouth, and bring fruit to His table. Your reward is certain, and your honor great.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the life I have in you. Thank you for the strength you provide me each day so that I can quietly go about your business and do those things you would have me do. Among men I might appear weak, or of little consequence, but in your eyes I seek my acknowledgement. Though I walk without dust through this life, I travel as an army before you, and raise the dust of a thousand men and horses as I do battle for your cause. So often I think that my efforts are insignificant, but only when I view them through my earthly eyes; when I look at them through the lense of your Word I see that the things I do and say are of great value... they are subordinate to your will, and lay treasure at your feet. Help me Father to serve you each day in power and strength... lead me on as I strive to bring fruit to your table. Let me be pleasing in your sight, for Holy, Holy, Holy are you my God.
Rich Forbes