What Are You Expecting?

Verse of the day: Judges 15:11-12, Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and said to Samson, “Do you not know that the Philistines rule over us? What is this you have done to us?” And he said to them, “As they did to me, so I have done to them.” 12 But they said to him, “We have come down to arrest you, that we may deliver you into the hand of the Philistines.” Then Samson said to them, “Swear to me that you will not kill me yourselves.”

Here is a sad commentary that was true in Samson’s time, as well as other times in biblical history and still true today. Far too often, when we are serving God, even though it may be for the benefit and blessing of others, if we expect a pat on the back or for people to appreciate what we have done, we may be disappointed. This is not the first time, in Scripture, that the people turned against those that God had chosen to use to free them from their oppressors. Moses, in obedience to God’s call on his life suffered persecution by his own people when things appeared to be getting worse, rather than getting better (Exodus 5:201-21). Samson, who is being used by God to deliver Israel, is now on the receiving end of ingratitude by his own people because of the trouble he has stirred up with the Philistines. It is often the case that people would rather side with their oppressors, when those who stand up to evil “stir the pot” by taking a stand. When we stand up for what is right amongst godless people, in a society where right is wrong and wrong is right, the natural result is conflict. Sadly, even we who know better will refuse to stand for what is right, if it means that it will cause some turmoil in our lives. Yet, we know, from the Scriptures, and for many, from personal experience, that any time we stand up for our beliefs as born again believers, when we stand against evil, persecution will come. What I find incredible is that sometimes persecution comes from other Christians who would rather “go with the flow” and just blend in, rather than take a stand for Jesus. With that said, know that there will be times that we will do what is right, and think that people will appreciate it, but what we may find, instead, is that people will be ungrateful and even come against us. This is why we must serve God, not looking for favor from man, but serving as unto the Lord because it is Him we serve. Colossians 3:23-24 tells us, “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.” This principle will save us a lot of grief if we apply it to those times we are serving God and experience ingratitude from those we are trying to serve. Even Jesus received a marvelous welcome entering Jerusalem (John 12), only to have the same people cry out against Him, shouting, “Crucify Him!” (Luke 23:21) The bottom line is that we must serve God expecting nothing in return from those we serve, knowing that God sees our service and knows whether in our hearts we are serving Him for Him or for man’s accolades and appreciation. Remember Galatians 6:9-10, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

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).