2 Kings 3; Psalms 114–115; Daniel 7; 2 Thessalonians 3
God chooses a people (Israel) and then all who believe in His Son (the church) to be unique, like Him, that we will display what He is like to a fallen world. One of the characteristics of God is that He is busy, not idle, not sleeping, not oblivious to the need of His skills in a world that suffers under the bondage of sin and the fear of death. His people are to be like Him.
For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy but warn him as a brother. (2 Thessalonians 3:7–15)
Yesterday, my focus thought was DILIGENCE vs Slothfulness. The reminder card said I was to, “Visualize each task as a special assignment from the Lord and using all my energies to accomplish it. The verse was: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)
I remembered as a new Christian I was not fond of many household chores but when God spoke to me using this verse, I decided to do my responsibilities ‘working heartily’ for Him rather than any other reason. That changed everything. Soon I was gladly scrubbing, cleaning, cooking and doing other household tasks with joy and a song in my heart. Nothing else changed, just my attitude.
However, I’d let that attitude slip lately concerning one chore. I’m making a queen-size quilt for someone and it is challenging. The design is simple but working with that size and amount of fabric is physically demanding. I was beginning to dread the task and wanting to goof off instead of wrestling with yards of cotton. That focus verse jarred me into confessing my attitude and the Lord gave me a renewed sense of purpose. I could do this task for Him and then the work became a delight.
Today He repeats the reminder, going a bit deeper. He reminds me that He is not idle or lazy. He never messes around but does His work with purpose and without getting weary. This is so important because it is being like God —a characteristic that His people, including me, must imitate, copy, do in His enabling power — so the world can see that God is not sitting back on His heavenly throne and simply watching His creation. He is actively involved even though we cannot always what He is doing.
APPLY: Knowing God is tirelessly at work for me motivates me to be joyful in dedicating all that I do to Him. It matters not if anyone else sees what I do; He sees. He also rewards, not with praise or money or honor of any kind, but with joy and with the certainty that happily being busy is also being like my Creator and God.
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