Monday, December 11, 2017

Serving In Humility

Verse of the day: Exodus 4:27-28 And the Lord said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So he went and met him on the mountain of God, and kissed him. 28 So Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord who had sent him, and all the signs which He had commanded him. 

Here we see another example where God gives preference to the younger over the older. Aaron is the older brother of Moses; yet, God calls Aaron to serve under Moses, after Moses’ hesitation to go before Pharaoh on his own. What is most notable here is that in spite of Moses being the younger brother, Aaron humbly submits to his authority. In actuality, by submitting to Moses, Aaron is actually submitting to God; because it was God who called Aaron into service. Serving God is not about what we choose for ourselves, and what we think will bring God glory. God does not depend on us to dictate how we think we can best serve Him. It is not up to us to decide what position or office we should hold within the church body. The decision as to where we are to serve is completely the Lord’s. Too many of us shipwreck in our service because we desire ministries that God does not desire for us, and has not called us to. The disciples had a desire to be great amongst themselves, but their thoughts on who would be greatest was contrary to what the Lord said to them in explaining who would be the greatest among them. In Luke 9:46, a dispute arose amongst them because of this desire. When we allow our pride to dictate how we think we should serve, all we do is cause strife and division within the body of Christ. In Matthew 20:26, Jesus told the disciples that the one who wanted to be greatest among them, let him be the servant. He later demonstrated this when He, the Lord, washed their feet. This account is recorded for us in John 13. Verses 2-5, of John 13 read, “And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” Interestingly, Jesus washed the feet of Peter, whom He knew would deny Him (John 13:36-38), and Judas, whom the devil had already influenced to betray Jesus (John 13:2). Jesus, being their Master, did not see it beneath Himself to wash the feet of His betrayer, or the one who would deny Him. Yet, so often we have issues submitting to the authority of those that God has called to lead us within the body. King David, who was called to be king long before the death of King Saul, refused to touch King Saul, or do him any harm, because he, King Saul, was God’s anointed; this in spite of the fact that Saul made several attempts on his life. The bottom line is that we are called to serve God in humility, and serve Him in whatever capacity He calls us to, do so faithfully, and fervently. Aaron, although being older, and better qualified to carry God’s message to Pharaoh, humanly speaking, submitted to the Lord’s command to follow Moses who was not as eloquent in speech as he was. There is greater reward, and more heavenly value, in submitting to God’s assignment, rather than seeking to serve in a way that satisfies our own ego and pride. God calls us to be humble, as our Lord Jesus Christ is humble, who came to serve, and not be served (Matthew 20:28).

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).

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