Daily Scripture Reading: Luke 17:8 KJV
Luke 17:8 KJV
(8) And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
Today’s Devotional Is SERVE AND GIRD
THERE ARE TWO aspects of rural industry–agricultural, ploughing; pastoral, keeping the sheep. They also include our service to Christ’s sake. Ploughing is a common occupation for some of us. We go out with our plough or precious seed in the cold, wintry days when last leaves fall from the trees and the sky is covered by thick, dripping clouds. We walk in loneliness, depression, fear, and return to the Lord crying, “Who has believed our report?” We are also called to care for the sheep, helping the weak and the injured, as well as seeking out the straying. We often feel tired in either of these vocations and “come into the field.”
How apt is it to let go of the stress and strain that comes with hard work? We may think that we can indulge in our natural, innocent appetites. Our Master doesn’t intend for that, as He is aware of the subtle temptation to indulge in hours of easy. When we come back from our labor, He doesn’t say “Go and eat meat!” but He greets us at the threshold and says, “Make ready, serve Me, until I am full and drunk, then thou shall eat and drink.”
This parable can be used to deduce that our Lord said in effect: “You have been working with Me, but I have not missed you.” You’ve been so involved in the task of guiding the plough through heavy clay or watching the lions and bear that you have lost sight of Me. The hours have gone by without you speaking to me or listening to My voice.
Let us, after Christ has finished His work, turn to our Lord and minister to Him. Prepare for Him a feast filled with faith, love and joy; heart-melody; and voice-music We can then eat and drink. He will even gird Himself and serve us (Joh_13.4-14).
PRAYER
Dear Lord, we long for Thou to be more than just Thy work. We want to be more than just able to tend Thy sheep or plough Thy fields. Keep Thy face always, and whatever we do, may it be in love with Thee. AMEN.