Servants are Blessed

I'm Free!  Free to be a servant of the Lord, goes the simple chorus.  Yet, our independent flesh wants to be the boss and not have to listen to anyone, not even God, much less be a servant.  However, clearly man's ways are not God's ways.

In Psalm 143:12, David declares victory over his enemies and great blessings because, "I am Your servant."  He trusts God to teach him to do His will, because "to You I lift up my soul."  Our soul is our inner self, so to lift up your soul means you choose to set you mind and heart and your desires on what pleases God. In other words, lay down what you think and change to desire what He asks, in order to receive the goodness and overcoming life that flows from pleasing your master.  

Psalm 143 continues to remind us of God's faithfulness and righteousness, "Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness!" and "Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for I trust in You."  As sure as God is faithful and righteous, He honors those who honor Him.  As David declares, "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all of the days of my life."  

A servant looks to his master to know what to do.  Verse 10 is the prayer of a servant, "Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God."  Nothing motivates like having a good reason, and in the next verse God gives it.  "Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.  For the sake of Your name, O Lord, revive me."  All the Holy Spirit leading and reviving of abundant life is because that is the way to glorify His name.  Even Psalm 23 gives the same reason, "lead me in the way of righteousness for Thy name's sake."  Do it all for Him, He is worthy.

Servants have a heritage, as expressed in Isaiah 54:17.  "No weapon formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn.   As servants of God, we are protected from all the power of the enemy and have authority to condemn (render powerless) all those who speak against us.  Servants of God are directed to say continually, "Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant."  Thank you, Jesus, it is well with my soul.  

Keep Peace in the Storm

In Psalm 112:7 the Lord explains one of the benefits of believing in Him, "He will not fear evil tidings; his heart is steadfast trusting the Lord."  

God's call today is to receive His peace and not let the world overcome us by taking His peace from our hearts.  Before His trial and death, Jesus spoke to the disciples, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27  God hasn't changed and His Word is eternal; therefore, hear Him speak His peace to you.

Jesus was able to still the raging storm at sea because there was no storm in Him.  "Peace, be still."  Jesus said "the evil one has nothing in Me."  Now we also have been given His righteousness and authority to overcome.  God has given us the weapons of our warfare, which have divine power.  Receive and speak the Word, acknowledge the blood of Jesus, and put on the armor of God.  We overcome the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony, and we love not our lives unto death.  Even Psalm 23 declares, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, because You are with me."

 However, the challenge in the spiritual battle (2 Corinthians 10:4) is to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Philippians 4:6-8 even tells us how by committing trouble to the Lord and letting His peace guard our hearts and minds.  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Then He tells us to change the channel by focusing on His qualities and faithfulness. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

Jesus even went a step further. In the beatitudes found in Luke, He tells us to "rejoice in that day and leap for joy!"  In John, He reminds us of His victory, "In the world you will have tribulation.  Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."   

The strongest way to maintain the peace and joy He gives, is to give thanks in all circumstances.  Because we trust Him we know He works all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  Therefore, what the world and devil mean for evil, God uses to grow us and to reveal His transforming power for good. 

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23) Take thoughts captive. Give situations to God with thanksgiving, and walk in His peace.  Choose to trust God in all situations. Jesus says, "Peace, be still" to the storms of your life.