"When the Master of Ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants did), he called the bridegroom over. This is wonderful stuff!, he said. "You are different from most. Usually a host uses the best wine first, afterwards, when everyone is full and doesn't care, then he brings out the less expensive brands. But you have kept the best for the last" - John 2:9-10 (TLB)
During the wedding at Cana, the wine suddenly finished and some servants were mandated to carry out damage control operations. Jesus told them to fetch several gallons of water into the six waterpots and thereafter draw it out to serve the Governor of the feast. They did and as soon as the Governor tasted the wine, he was so excited and began to shower praises on the bridegroom. The servants that Jesus used to brew the wine might have felt very disappointed. Instead of getting some encouraging words or rewards for their labour, they were ignored by the Governor and everyone on the high table. They must have said to themselves: "This is not fair! This Governor is an ingrate. He could not even say "thank you" to us for all our efforts in fetching several gallons of water that eventually turned to wine? He just ignored us and started talking to the bridegroom who knew nothing about what we did to get the best wine to the high table?"
"For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end" -Hebrews 6:10-11 (NRSV)
Friends, has God ever used you to supply wine to someone on the high table who in turn refused to reward or appreciate you? Do you feel bad that your efforts was not appreciated? Please note that your service is unto God and not to man (Ephesians 6:7). The one who send you to go fetch water knew how best to say "thank you" to you for the wine you are serving. No man can appreciate you more than God who engaged you. God is the best employer and the great rewarder of men (Hebrews 11:6b) ! The truth is your Governors/Chairman/CEO may ignore your contributions. Even your Pastor, friends, colleagues, parents, business partner, siblings, children may not remember to appreciate you. But God is not unjust to forget your labour of love (Hebrews 6:10). As the Lord lives, your reward is on the way so please wait patiently for it. Don’t be discouraged by the action and inaction of those men/women on the high table (Jeremiah 31:16a). You stand the risk of losing your divine reward when you concentrate more on getting the applause of man. So, keep your gaze on God and God alone.
"Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; ......"- Jeremiah 31:16 (KJV)
One special song that reiterates the need to keep serving faithfully even when no one is willing to appreciate, reward or celebrate us is titled "Go, Labor on; Spend, and be Spent". As you meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful hymn, please trust God for grace to labour fervently and be spent for Him till Christ returns. However, if you are not yet saved, you cannot partake in the divine reward. Therefore, please surrender your life to Jesus Christ today. Tomorrow may be too late!
GO, LABOR ON; SPEND, AND BE SPENT By Horatius Bonar (1808 - 1889)
1. Go, labor on; spend, and be spent;
Thy joy to do the Father’s will;
It is the way the Master went;
Should not the servant tread it still?
2. Go, labor on: ’tis not for nought;
Thy earthly loss is heav’nly gain;
Men heed thee, love thee, praise thee not;
The Master praises, what are men?
3. Go, labor on; your hands are weak,
Your knees are faint, your souls cast down;
Yet falter not; the prize you seek
Is near, a kingdom and a crown.
4. Go, labor on while it is day,
The world’s dark night is hastening on;
Speed, speed thy work, cast sloth away,
It is not thus that souls are won.
5. Men die in darkness at your side,
Without a hope to cheer the tomb;
Take up the torch and wave it wide,
The torch that lights time’s thickest gloom.
6. Press on, faint not, keep watch and pray;
Be wise the erring soul to win;
Go forth into the world’s highway,
Compel the wanderer to come in.
7. Press on, and in thy work rejoice;
For work comes rest, the prize thus won;
Soon shalt thou hear the Master’s voice,
The midnight cry, Behold, I come!
It is my prayer that God will grant us grace to serve faithfully till Christ returns. And when the trumpet shall sound, the reward for all our labour on earth shall be delivered to us on the golden shore in Jesus name, (Amen).
Good day and God bless you.
Maranatha!
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
For more articles, please visit -
http://okanlawon.webnode.com
http:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Twitter: @tammytaiwo
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment