The Model Servant

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)


I just returned from praise band rehearsal where we sang the praise chorus "Make Me a Servant" by Kelly Willard. You may remember the lyrics:


Make me a servant, humble and meek. 
Lord help me lift up those who are weak.
And may the prayer of my heart always be:
Make me a servant, make me a servant,
Make me a servant today.


When I got home I realized to my surprise that my devotional for today was also about service. It served as a simple reminder to me that my Lord Himself was the perfect example of a servant. He served His disciples by washing their feet, served food to the hungry masses by miraculously multiplying the bread and fish, healed the sick and diseased, brought the dead back to life, and served all mankind by becoming the ultimate sacrifice for all sin thereby purchasing your salvation and mine. 


This devotional by Dr. N. A. Woychuk, focuses on another servant, the unnamed servant of Abraham. Let's see what lessons we can learn from him.


"And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way" (ASV)(Genesis 24:48)


The Model Servant


Abraham clings to the revelation of God concerning his seed, and determines to follow closely the Divine will. He placed his "eldest servant" under oath to secure a bride for Isaac from among his own people.


Abraham's unnamed servant illustrates beautifully the desirable qualities in true service and witnessing:


The servant is intelligent in his obedience. He wished to know what should be done under certain conditions that might develop (Gen. 24:5-9). God always welcomes inquiries as to His will (John 16:19).


The servant is looking to the Lord for directed opportunities and for grace to use them (Gen. 24:12-14). He recognizes the high significance of his errand, and earnestly seeks the face of God for success, not for himself, but "shew kindness unto my master Abraham." Later, he was not unmindful to recognize God's leading (Gen. 24:27), and to express his devotion and thanks (Gen. 24:26).


The servant is truly self-effacing, but loud in the praises of his master (24:34-49). "I am Abraham's servant"; don't be taken up with me! How needful that the witnesses today "exalt the Lord" and not attract attention to themselves!


The servant is minutely careful to advance the interests of his master (24:15-33). He is most courteous (24:17). He is cautious and patient (24:21) in ascertaining the Lord's leading. He is intensely in earnest about his mission: "I will not eat, until I have told mine errand" (24:33). O, that God's servants were always that fervent and diligent in "serving the Lord" (Rom. 12:6-16).


The servant gently presses for an immediate decision: "Hinder me not, seeing the Lord..."(24:56). And he rejoices in mission accomplished as he hears the bride say, "I will go." 


Is not all this an inspired picture of the calling out of the bride, the Church, for God's Son, our Savior? (Eph. 5:25-33).


Singing His Praises,
Joey Culpepper

God's Good Gifts

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness. And the Spirit of God was hovering over its surface. Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:1-4a)(NLT)


I pray that this new year will bring you many blessings. And as you are blessed, be sure to give thanks to the One who is responsible for every good gift, God, the Father of lights. Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow. (James 1:17)(NASB)


Here is a devotional from Genesis 1 by Dr. N. A. Woychuk which reminds us of God's good gifts to us.


God's Good Gifts


Everything that God makes and provides is good.


It is interesting to note how God Himself was satisfied with His creation. Seven times the meaningful observation is recorded, "And God saw that it was good." Can it be that all of creation, prior to sin's damage, evidenced itself in a joyous adoration of God? The Lord specializes only in "good things."


The heavens are a point from the pen of His perfection;
The world is a rosebud from the bower of His beauty;
The sun is a spark from the light of His wisdom.
--Sir William Jones


"Creation was Adam's library; God bade him read the interesting volumes of His works, which were designed to make known the Divine character" (L. Richmond)


All too little do we read and study "the interesting volumes of His works," which are filled with His thoughtful care. Think of the air that we breathe today. How seldom do we utter praise for it. Yet, without the atmosphere there would be no rain, no sound, no music, no plant life, no flight of bird, no human life. The world would be one vast grave.


Think of the essential beauty of a flower, which so impressively proclaims the excellencies of God. "There is not the least flower but seems to hold up its head, and to look pleasantly, in the secret sense of the goodness of its heavenly Maker."


The Lord delights to give good gifts to His children. "No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11). "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights..."(James 1:17).


May this beneficence of our heavenly Father stir in our hearts a sincere desire to own and accept His greatest gift, even the Savior Jesus Christ.


"The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23)


Singing His Praises,
Joey Culpepper

Joshua

But if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve....As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord. (NLT)(Joshua 24:15)


As we start this new year, we can learn from the example of Joshua in our effort to serve the Lord. Joshua shows us that obedience, commitment and faithfulness is what God wants from us. The following worship profile is taken from the Praise and Worship Study Bible from Tyndale House Publishers. It is a very good study Bible with many helpful features, and I recommend it to all who want to study more about worship.


Joshua


The final chapter of Joshua marks a turning point in the Israelites' life and worship. By this time Joshua was an old man and had witnessed a long chain of amazing events. His years of service under Moses had given him personal acquaintance with God's wondrous works, and after Moses' death, Joshua's forces won battle after battle in Canaan. Joshua's absolute confidence in God's promises and power enabled him to take risks, and this inspired those around him. The aged Joshua was now near death, however, and so he made a final speech, reminding the people that their purity in worship would determine their future.


Joshua the Worshiper


Joshua was wise and discerning leader. He knew the Israelites were inclined to worship foreign gods, and so he worked to prevent that tragedy.


In order to exhort the Israelites for the future, Joshua reminded the people of what God had accomplished for them in the past. His speech unfolds like a great sermon, highlighting God's acts of salvation and concluding with a call to obedience.


Joshua commemorated the people's decision to follow the Lord by setting up a large stone near the Tabernacle. This physical symbol reminded later generations of their covenant with God.


Learning from Joshua


We can learn about worship through the help of pastors, teachers, and elders. Often these leaders can help us recognize problems or hindrances to proper worship.


We should observe all our vows and confessions--especially those we establish publicly. Joshua warned the people that they would be held accountable for their public declaration to follow the Lord.


God often honors the memory of those who serve him faithfully. When Joshua died and was buried, he was called "the servant of the Lord."


Following the Example


Reflect on the history of God's work in your life. Meditate on his acts of mercy and kindness toward you and offer praise for the times when his love was especially evident to you. Consider the pledges and commitments you have made to God and others. Consider concrete ways to commemorate and carry out the vows you have made, and ask God to help you fulfill your promises. Resolve to stand firm in your decision to follow Jesus Christ. Ask God to help you remain faithful and obey his commands, and the Lord will honor your request.


Singing His Praises,
Joey Culpepper