MEMORISE:
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
Proverbs 22:29
READ: Matthew 25:19-21
25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
25:20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
MESSAGE
Whoever tells you that there is no longer a reward for diligence in this world is a liar. The word of God, which is forever settled in heaven, has declared that diligence has its rewards in this world and in the world to come. According to God's word in today's memory verse, even if the diligence would not want to come before kings, his or her works will drag him or her to the presence of kings for due reward. The power inherent in God's word is a compelling force that attracts blessings to the diligent. The story of Mordecai in the book of Esther is a great example in this regard. Mordecai was a Jewish captive in Shushan during the reign of Ahasuerus, the Persian emperor. He was made a security guard to the king, and in the course of diligently carrying out his duty, he saved the king from being assassinated. This good deed was recorded in the archives of the empire, even though he was not rewarded at that time. Meanwhile, Haman hated Mordecai and wanted to kill him. However, the night before Haman was to execute his evil plans, the righteousness of God woke the king up and reminded him of the reward still pending for Mordecai's diligence. Esther 6:1-3 says:
"On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him."
This was the beginning of the reward for diligence received by a watchman who later became second in command to the king (Esther 10:3). What a great lesson his life is to us all! Some security guards are only being paid for sleeping in the open, because they are watching nothing. The story was told of a security guard who was so fast asleep on duty that the one who hired him came and took away his shoes and probably his torchlight and yet he did not know! This was not the case with Mordecai; he did his work meticulously and thoroughly. The Lord's parable in today's Bible reading also affirms that diligence attracts great blessings. When the master of the diligent servant came and realised that he had been industrious in the use of the talents given to him, he rewarded him handsomely, making him an administrator over many of his businesses. However, the servant who buried his lone talent was damned. Beloved, be diligent and determine not to eat the food of idleness; it is a sin.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please strengthen my hands to be diligent in all I do, and don't let me lose my reward.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Chronicles 35-36, Revelation 20:11-21:8
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 3: TRUST AND OBEY
1. When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey
Chorus:
Trust and obey,
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favour He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we'll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do
Where He sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey.
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