OF SERVING THE LORD (I)

OF SERVING THE LORD (I) 

“You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty?” Malachi 3:14 NIVMalachi 3:14 NIV“You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty?

A lot of times journeying with God may feel a lot like what the prophet has described in our theme scripture. Every man and woman on this journey can attest to the weight of the restraint the Holy Spirit exerts in us, if we are in obedience to His leading that is. We can also attest to how hard it is to hold some thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:52 Corinthians 10:5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.), to beat the flesh into submission (1 Corinthians 9:271 Corinthians 9:27But like a boxer I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached the gospel to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified as unfit for service.) that the law in our members may be tamed by that in our spirit (Romans 7:23Romans 7:23but I see a different law and rule of action in the members of my body in its appetites and desires, waging war against the law of my mind and subduing me and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is within my members.).

You may even look at others who have no care for God, seemingly going through life without struggles while also having fun and think you are perhaps deceived. Everyone has been to that end of the rope and that is one of the enemy’s greatest deceptions. Questioning the existence of God is denying the existence of everything else because in Him all things consist (Colossians 1:16Colossians 1:16for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.). Serving Him however, is only meaningful as a response to that which he has done in you. Selah.

Any man that has not understood the magnitude of what Christ did for mankind, merely serves out of their own strength, thus succumbing to things like burn out, weariness, lack of joy and drive. Those who understand this unspeakable gift, have come to understand that we are only able to serve without drudgery through the strength which He gives (1 Peter 4:111 Peter 4:11Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.). Choose the way of God!

I will leave you with these words :

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and learn not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5 NIVProverbs 3:5 NIVTrust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Prayer: Father I thank you for this truth. I serve you wholeheartedly, not based off of works but as a response to what you have done in me. I refuse to offer up a sacrifice that costs me nothing, and I will honor you in all my ways by the help of your spirit at work in me, in Jesus name! 

CI.