One Year Bible - March 16
Scriptures to read:
Matthew 16; Numbers 1-2; Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
What's your purpose and mission in life? "To glorify God and enjoy him forever" is what the Westminster catechism pronounces... but sometimes it seems so vague. For every person God places on this earth, there is a business "God has given to the children of men to be busy with." It is in the performing and fulfilling of that business that glorifies God, while at the same time allowing for the person to enjoy God himself. So it is the same for you and me.
Look at the Pharisees from Matthew 16. Notice how harshly Jesus speaks with them. What is most striking is the fact that they BELIEVED they were actually doing God's work and that they were glorifying him. There seems to be an attitude of pride... "Look how much I know God's word! Look how much I follow his laws! Look how I am the living embodiment of God's glory! Look... Look... Look... Me! Me! Me!" Now, contrast that with Nehemiah. He hears of the plight of Jerusalem... and in his own inner chamber he prays not only for Jerusalem... but for the whole nation of Israel, confessing congregational sin. Then when he does arrive in Jerusalem, he does all the recon on his own... away from the eyes of the faithful remnant that returned during the first trip with Ezra. God over and over again deals kindly with Nehemiah.
The fact is, both the Pharisees and Nehemiah were given a specific business to attend to. The Pharisees were to teach and live for all to see and learn how to be close to God. But they made it into a show. They made it about themselves. Not only were they ADDING to God's word, but they were also living like they had it all figured out. No indeed, they made the laws better! While also having a great understanding of the Word of God, Nehemiah on the other hand lived whole heartedly for the glory of God, without any "improvements". He went about his business of rebuilding Jerusalem with gusto, focusing NOT on his own reputation, but on God's. Notice one more thing... both were in positions of leadership. Both were highly visible. Both had authority and power. As God always does, he judged from the inner heart and not from outward circumstances.
What about you? What "business" has God specifically given to you? Are you motivated to glorify him and to enjoy him in the process of performing that business...or is it about you and your reputation? Are you fearful of acting because of what others may think? Are you acting so that you get accolades? There's no question that you and I are supposed to ACT... but what is your inner motivation?
Memory Verse: “I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him." - Ecclesiastes 3:14
Prayer: Almighty God our heavenly Father, you declare your glory and show forth your handiwork in the heavens and in the earth; Deliver us in our various occupations from the service of self alone, that we may do the work you give us to do in truth and beauty and for the common good; for the sake of him who came among us as one who serves, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer - For Vocation in Daily Work)
