If the service of God is worth anything, it is worth everything. We are to do it with determined diligence. In a time of great stress I received from my father an encouraging letter with this motto for my desk: " 'Know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord' " (1 Cor. 15:58). Indeed, earnest labor for God is not in vain; it "shall be rewarded."
God had done great things for King Asa and for Judah, but they needed encouragement. They were hesitating and feeble and had to be warned and instructed that the Lord would be with them while they were with Him. And so the sequel proved. Great blessing came upon the king and upon the whole nation, and there was a wonderful spiritual revival. So it will be with us; we shall find our best reward in the Lord's cause when we throw our whole soul into it. Then will come prosperity to the work of God and in our own experience.
O for that flame of living fire
Which shone so bright in saints of old;
Which bade their souls to heaven aspire,
Calm in distress, in danger bold!
__William H. Bathurst
Let us remember the words of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 16:13: "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." And again, his exhortation in Ephesians 6:10: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." That is always our privilege, and may it be our experience.
MEDITATION PRAYER: "I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation" (Ps. 40:10).