BY THE SWEAT OF YOUR BROW Speaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: The Lord looked at Adam and said, "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread". This is the Lord's intention for man and none can change it. "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat". When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Psalms 128:2
Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. (Psalms 128:1-2)
This verse is a blessing which the Lord particularly offers to a man who fears and walks in His ways.
You shall be happy when you eat the labour of your hands. The Lord formed the first man and named him Adam. He kept him in the Garden of Eden and instructed him to till the soil and protect it. Today, if you happen to go to Iran you can see the Garden of Eden in a particular place. There is a very small tree and a placard on which it is written, "Adam's tree." Therefore, it is evident that the Garden of Eden and a man named Adam had existed to till and protect that garden.
The Lord looked at Adam and said, " In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread." This is the Lord's intention for man and none can change it. "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." (2 Thessalonians 3:10). St. Paul says in Acts 20:34, "Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me."
In the district of Tirunelveli, there lived a devout man called Rajanayagam. Long time ago, he worked for a spinning mill company. At that time, he had no knowledge about God and it seemed that He had nothing to do with God. Suddenly, one day a peculiar disease attacked his chest region and it started enlarging. The doctors who examined him could not detect the root cause of that disease.
Being in such a helpless situation, he lamented and meditated upon the Lord. One day he wept before many people saying, "If there is a God, please come down and cure me of my illness." As many people kept looking at him, a powerful beam of light descended, and the Lord appeared to him saying, "I am the One who died for you. My name is Jesus Christ. My son! I will cure you." The man was miraculously healed. The people in the vicinity and others from the surrounding villages talked a great deal about this miracle and they were amazed at having seen the glory of God.
From that day onwards, many people came in search of him for personal prayers. That man, till today continues to serve the Lord by offering prayers for all those who come to him. After being cured of his illness he once again returned to continue his work. His friends commented saying, "Hey Rajanayagam, you have seen the Lord! Why should you come for work? Sit at home and the Lord will provide you with food." Immediately Rajanayagam responded saying, "Lord told, 'Rajanayagam, My son, in the sweat of your face you shall eat and live.'"
Dearly beloved, it is the intention of the Lord that we labour very hard and live on this earth.
Prayer
Almighty God,
I praise and glorify Your name for You alone bless the labour of everyone. Give me the grace to fear You always, walk in Your ways and receive all the blessings, which You have in store for me. Help me to labour with all the might that You have given me and enjoy the work that I do today.
In Jesus' name I pray
Amen |