Faithfulness Leads You HigherSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: Faithfulness is lacking in many people because they do not seek God. When you give first place to God and honour Him in your life, He will teach you to excel in your work. He will be your friend and lead you in ways of prosperity. "Those who seek me diligently will find me." (Proverbs 8:17)
David's father called him and said that he should go to the battlefield to meet his brothers, and he rose early in the morning to go (1 Samuel 17:20). Dear friend, do you have the habit of seeking the Lord early in the morning?
Before I came to God, I too did not have this habit. But when the Lord came into me, each morning, on rising up I would pray, "Lord Jesus! I have no friend. Please talk to me today." Then I would read the Bible. Through a particular verse, the Lord spoke to me for that day. I would pray, "I thank You Lord for coming to college with me today, for all the good you are going to do today." What a pleasure it is to read the Bible and to wait upon Jesus and receive the power needed for that day! David did that.
After expressing his willingness go to the battlefield, David left his sheep with a keeper. When his brothers saw him on the battlefield, one of them asked him angrily, "Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle" (1 Samuel 17:28). But David had very carefully and responsibly left the sheep with a keeper. He was faithful to discharge the work entrusted to him.
My dear friend, are you performing the duties that are assigned to you. Do you fail in this respect very often? You should be faithful to discharge any work entrusted to you. If you are a student, learn the lessons well that God has given you. Be faithful in the work that God has given you. Do not run about here and there and waste your time.
David did everything carefully as commanded by the Lord. So, he had the presence of God with him always. That was why he could boldly say, "The Lord is with me. He will never let me down. I shall slay this giant in a moment. Send me to fight with him."
There was a cobbler in England called William Carey. He struggled in hunger and poverty. Jesus met this poor man one day and filled him with His love. Thereafter, Carey did his work most conscientiously. He sat at nights to learn English and began studying the Bible. On several days, he walked in rain and snow and preached the Gospel to the poor. All the time, there burnt in him a desire that he should go all over the world and proclaim the Gospel to the millions who had no knowledge of Christ. He began working harder still, faithfully, day and night. At last, he came down to India and began to learn the Sanskrit language earnestly, which was given great importance in India at that time. Soon, he started ministering in India and brought so many to the knowledge of Christ. Moreover, everyone who came to hold key-offices in India would go on a pilgrimage to Serampore where William Carey was residing and doing God's ministry, to receive William Carey's blessings before occupying their seats of authority. It was the Lord who raised that young cobbler boy, looking at his faithfulness.
"Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings." (Proverbs 22:29)
Friend, be faithful in your work. The Lord will help you. He will exalt you. He will come and help you in your studies, work, and in all that you do. Give Him place in your heart; He will give you His presence that will work wonders for you.
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
I want to see Your face every morning and I want to lead a life pleasing before You. Help me to be faithful in my work. Help me to perform my duties without any fault. I confess today that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. So Lord, please fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can be able to face the challenges in life boldly. I make this prayer in the glorious name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen. |