07/10/2025
Are we working hard for the kingdom? Are our efforts encouraging others in their faith? And do we merely work in a physical sense and neglect the spiritual? These are the questions I encourage each of us to consider this morningas we prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ. The coming of our Lord is imminent, but are we preparing ourselves, and those around us, for that moment?
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
One of the things I fear is standing before Jesus when He returns and confessing that although I did this or that in my church, that I did nothing in a true spiritual sense to increase God’s kingdom. Worse than that, I fear that I might have been so busy doing the physical things in support of the earthly religious infrastructure that I have neglected my own faith. How sad that day would be, and would His voice convict me by saying "I never knew you." Does the fear of this wake you in the night too and bring you to your knees?
“"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'”
Matthew 7:21-23 ESV
Yes, I do tremble in the night, but it isn't out of a lack of faith... it is for fear that what faith I have is not fully dedicated to serving the will of God. I think back on my days and ask myself if I was sidetracked by the routine tasks of living while accomplishing very little spiritual work for the Father. Did I put the issues of my life and the brick and mortar church above the calling God placed before me?
This is a trap for all people of faith, we spend our days expecting to be fed, and in turn, we do very little to feed others. We live Day in and day out asking God for the physical things that we need, and never once ask Him to show us how we can best serve Him! We give our money to the church and go home feeling good about ourselves but leave those around us struggling spiritually. We ask for prayer, but never really give prayer. We turn our heads when sin is being committed, consoling ourselves with the fact that we didn't commit it. These are all symptoms of the same inward disease, and in the end, it separates us from Jesus, from God, and places us in danger of hearing those words... "I never knew you."
Yes, I tremble, but it isn't because I don't believe, it is because I might miss that small still voice that directs me when it is spoken amidst my crowded and raucous life. I fear because I might be doing something of this world while leaving God's will undone as it pertains to the spirit. I fear that my faith has become stagnant, or that another’s faith is starving because I neglected to feed it. I fear that I am walking through my day holding fast to the hand I thought was His but looked down to find it is a stranger's. Do you have such fear? You should tremble as I do.
The Bible speaks a lot about fear. It tells us over and over again to "fear not", and tells us how to achieve this by prayer and supplication...
“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:5-7 ESV
But, we are told to fear one other thing... and this is what awakens me in a sweat at night. This is the fear that causes me to tremble and brings me to my knees as I beg for forgiveness and asking God to direct my steps all the more... Listen to this passage of scripture…
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:12-13 ESV
In my fear and trembling I ask myself... are my efforts enough? Are the things I find important each day the same things that God has instructed me to do? Did I miss His voice when He said, "feed my sheep" because I was too busy meeting with the bank, or keeping the lights on? I ask myself... whose hand am I holding as I walk through my day? All these questions will determine the words I hope to hear when I am facing judgement... will I hear "well done good and faithful servant?"
“His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'”
Matthew 25:23 ESV
Will I, as an heir and joint heir with Jesus, hear the words "This is my beloved son?"
“and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."”
Matthew 3:17 ESV
I pray that Jesus will know me when we stand together before the Father, and that He will give a good account of me. This is all I truly desire; this is what causes me to tremble and sweat at night. Does this concern you as well? Do you seek salvation with intensity, with fear and trembling? Do you really know what this means? I beg you to join me as I fall to my knees today and ask God what His will is for us... then for His help in doing it faithfully.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the fear that you have relieved in me. I thank you for the peace and joy you bring into my life, but I also thank you for the fear, trembling, and discomfort I feel that brings me closer to you. I thank you for the nights when I wake up in a sweat and pour out my soul before you. I thank you father for the conscience that you have given me which directs me back to you when I have strayed; and the grain of faith that moves my humanity towards the realization of my spiritual needs. Holy Father I ask that you provide me with ears to hear, eyes to see, and hands to feel your will in my life. I ask that you show me in those moments when I am still, and diligently seeking your presence, the things you would have me do, and those that I might have left undone. Show me what is important to you Father and lead me to abandon those things that seem important to me but are not so in your eyes. Help me to place your will before my own and serve you faithfully in all you would have me do. Give me the ability to please you in everything I do, and let that pleasure seal my salvation in Christ on the day of judgement. I praise your name, even as I seek your face... never let go of my hand but remain always with me... ease my fears but never to the point where I might become complacent and cease my striving for you. In all things let me serve you, and in all things let me fear you more as I tremble my way towards salvation.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10 NIV
“Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!”
Psalm 34:9 ESV
“That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13 NLT
Rich Forbes