Verse of the day: Judges 6:11-12, Now the Angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. 12 And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
One of the things that we often complain about is having to work for a living. We complain about our workplace, about the tasks we have to accomplish, and about the time work takes away from what we really want to do. Sadly, this result in poor work ethic for many of God’s children. As born again believers, we should have a reputation for being the most diligent people in our workplace. In fact, when God placed Adam in the Garden, He tasked Adam with taking care of the Garden. Genesis 2:15, tells us, “Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” The fall of man resulted in work becoming a burdensome task. Genesis 3:17-19 tells us, “Then to Adam He said, ‘Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: ‘Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. 19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.’” Nonetheless, the Lord expects us to be diligent workers, and by the way that we work, bring Him glory. Colossians 3:22-24 clearly explains how diligent we should be, and why, “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” Often, people have complained that they cannot figure out what God’s plan is for their life. They complaint that they cannot find a mate, or accomplish some other thing they feel they need to accomplish in this lifetime. However, what I have found in my years of serving the Lord is that He appears to us during times when we are busy doing what we have called to do, and during solitary times. Gideon was both busy and in a private place. Although he was hiding from the Midianites, so they would not steal the wheat, he was faithfully, and diligently, laboring. It was while he was carrying out his duties, in the temple, that the angel appeared to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, to tell him that Elizabeth would bare a son who would prepare the way for Jesus’ first coming (Luke 1). I know of a missionary couple who met while faithfully serving God in the youth group of their local church. It has been during the busiest times of my life that God has led me to great opportunities of ministry. Whether busy serving within the local church, or busy serving at our place of employment, if we are faithful with what God has tasks us with, He will show us, in due time, what it is He desires for us to accomplish in His Name. It is for this reason that we must not only be diligent in our workplace, but we must also be careful to take time to spend some private time with the Lord, praying and studying His Word. Far too often, we waste more time chasing what we want, rather than just focusing on living as God has called us to live, and letting God bring those things into our lives, He has for us, in His time. Like Gideon, like Zacharias, like David, who was chosen to be king while he was busy tending his father’s sheep, let us be busy at doing what needs to be done at our jobs, at home, and at the local church. In due time, God will show up, unexpectedly, and lead us on the path to the ultimate task He has for us to accomplish in His Name, and for His glory.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His 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 gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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