Text: 1 Kings 19:19-21
Memory verse:
“In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23
Hard work is the answer to all forms of life hardships, be it poverty, stagnation, shame and begging. God doesn’t commend us to just work but to work hard. “Work hard at whatever you do ..”(Ecc 9:10 GNB).
Sometimes I hear people give excuse of being too busy for not serving God. God doesn’t call lazy people to serve Him. God’s work is not for loafers or the idle.
Elijah found Elisha plowing in the field when he cast the mantle of succession on him. He had twelve tractors working on his farm and he also was working with the twelfth. He wasn’t sleeping at home nor sitting under the tree chatting (1Kgs 19:19).
Moses and David were highly dedicated and hardworking shepherds when God called them. Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law and he led them far to the west end of the wilderness (Exo 3:2,10). David was with his Father’s sheep in the wilderness, where he put his life to risk to save a lamb from a lion’s mouth (1 Sam 16:11-13). All the disciples of Jesus were hardworking and busy people when they were called. Peter, having laboured rigorously throughout the night, still accepted the Lord’s request to prepare a pulpit for Him in his boat(Luke 5:1-3, 10). Matthew was a renowned tax administrator; Luke was a reputable physician. Paul was an erudite lawyer who zealously travelled night and day to track down the Christians and prosecuted them (Acts 9:1-6). What about our Lord Jesus? He worked so hard that He once fell asleep in a boat, totally exhausted from His labours and so busy that He forgot lunch!
If you desire to be successful in your field or you desire to serve God in any capacity, shake off lazy attitude and get busy, working hard in whatever your hands find doing.
Prayer points
1. Father, I surrender to You and I challenge any excuses to serving You in Jesus name.
2. Father, please help me to serve you with all my might and zeal and not carelessly in Jesus name.
Today’s declarations
1. God’s service is not for lazy and idle people, so I won’t serve God with such attitude.
2. Being a professional or a busy person doesn’t excuse me from God’s service.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng