Revelation of the Word
Revelation of the Word 04/05/2018 Admin
THEME: LABOR
Matthew 11:28
”Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
INSIGHT
-Jesus calls us to depend on Him all the time; essentially because life is generally full of ups & downs. He gives us comfort & strength to push on however rough the road becomes. Christ calls us to approach His throne of mercy with confidence that we may receive His salvation & grace.
SUMMARY
-Labor in Hebrew is written as amal which means to work or discover & become what you were created to be through self manifestation.
-Work originated right from creation when God created the heavens, earth & all the host of them in 6 days & rested on the seventh. The same command was passed to us; that we also labor for 6 days & rest on the seventh; the Sabbath day (Ex 20:9-10). God then placed man in the garden of Eden to work & take care of it (Gen 2:15). He provided water from a river which split into four river-heads yet it had not rained, giving us an indication that God makes a way for us to prosper in our labor as we continue to seek Him. In the modern society unfortunately, laziness has become the norm where both the old & the young chase fantasies day & night. They gamble the little resources that they have in the hope of becoming rich yet end up wasting time, resources & their gifts without notice. These kinds of addictions even drive some to evil vice like stealing with the same hope of making it in life. King Solomon writes that, those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense (Pro 12:11). This is an emphasis that people should work & stop chasing after vain things; to receive that which they desire most. Apostle Paul also echoes the same sentiments when he writes that; those who steal should stop & labor to ensure they have resources for themselves & others who rely on them (Eph 4:28). This might be rooted from the commandment, “thou shall not steal” which can be in form of: – corruption, perverting justice by giving or taking bribes, depriving the poor justice in court, failing to pay workers, taking other people’s property, robbery with or without violence, cyber crime, fraud & forgery for self gain, failing to pay tithe or taxes, extortion, moving boundary walls or encroaching others fields etc. Apostle Paul tells the Thessalonians that; he & his team worked day & night; given that he was a tent maker, so that they may not become a burden to them in their visit. He also proposed that those who do not work should not eat & encouraged them to work in quietness eating their own bread; & condemned busybodies (2 Thes 3:8-12). We are therefore reminded to exercise integrity & toil with patience for the benefit of self & those who need us most, however big the temptation to steal becomes. In Ecc 5:18-19; we are told that it is good, ones heritage & a gift from God for us to become rich, to eat; drink & enjoy the fruit of our labor. To note; not everyone has the ability to work maybe due to sickness, not everyone who labors becomes rich & not everyone who becomes rich enjoys his/her labor but it is only through Gods’ mercy & blessings. We are therefore called to work with all our heart in whatever we do for by this we serve Christ & not human masters for the promise of receiving a reward of the inheritance (Col 3:23-24). This inheritance is the heritage which is passed down from one generation to the next; for a good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children (Prov 13:22). Through sacrifice in our work; where we offer the best possible effort & intellect which causes a positive impact in the society, we utilize our skills & gifts; & God will most definitely reward us according to His merciful love.
PRAYER
Almighty Father we bless You & exult Your mighty name. We humbly ask You to help all those who are jobless or unproductive in our nation; that they may be able to work for their own good & that of generations to come. Many are lost in gambling & others are stealing, deliver them Lord from such addictions & transform them to become responsible citizens. Forgive us all our sins Lord, those we have committed either knowingly or unknowingly & remember them no more Father full of mercy. We cast all our burdens & heavy loads unto You Lord; that we may find peace in all things. Bless the work of our hands Father & have mercy on us; that we may not labor in vain. Give us strength to eat, enjoy all that You have given us & give us long lives full of peace. All glory, honor, strength, riches & blessings belongs to You Lord, forever & ever. Amen
Blessed Weekend
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