02/06/2026
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 than not we serve Him in secret and without leaving 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 we are living a Godly life it shouts to those around us, yet even then we walk in silence. If we write a simple note of encouragement to someone it lifts them up, but they may never tell us how much. Obeying God in ways such as this places our reward in a cupboard in heaven, and it faithfully awaits us there. No ripple, no shouting, no discernible earthly reward, just clinging to the vine of Jesus, and bearing fruit that goes without much of an earthly mark. 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 we 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 a thousand small subtle ways to a thirsty world in which a sip of Him is as powerful as a waterfall. Are we 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 yet that was what the world would call weakness. He let His disciples define Him for themselves and let’s listen to what Peter said...
“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 as He stood accused 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 all with a word, who could have changed it by decree, but who chose to save it by humbly allowing himself to become a sacrifice... by succumbing to wrath and taking on the sin of those who shouted “crucify Him!”. This is who strengthens those of us who pray in secret, and who gives us life without causing a ripple. This is who lifts the world up 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, we should take heart and walk in humility and meekness among the lions of this world. We serve God mightily in ways that are not understood or valued by them. We refuse to do battle with these vicious lions and hyenas, and yet they are powerless to consume us without our allowing it... this is true strength... this is who we are as we secretly serve 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 from earthy tables, but heavenly ones, and thus we pray in secret here, and shout openly in heaven. We are walking meekly through this life, but boldly before God, and Jesus strengthens us for the journey, and intercedes for us before the throne of God. 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 you bring the lost of the world as fruit to His table. Your reward is certain, and your honor is great.
“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”
Romans 8:34 ESV
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 find my acknowledgement. Though I walk through this life without raising the dust, I travel as an army before you, and raise the dust of a thousand men and horses as I do battle for your heavenly 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 lens of your Word I see that the things I do and say that they are of great value... that they are subordinate to your will, and that they lay treasure at your feet. Help me Father to serve you each day in quiet 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 who honors the strength of those who are humble and glorifies the meek souls who wear the name of Jesus. Help us Lord to deny ourselves as we honor and glorify you always and in all things we say and do.
“ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:16-17 ESV
Amen!
Rich Forbes