ESOCS Devotional 9 December 2022
TEXT: HEBREWS 4:11-16
MEMORY VERSE: “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.” Hebrews 4:11
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
We are invited here to be careful to live a fulfilled life in Christ so that we may be partakers of the rest that God gives. There are two levels of rest referred to here. The first is the rest we would have while we yet live here on earth. The second is that which we would have in heaven when we leave this world of labour, toil, pain, anxiety, despair, anguish, and care; and this second one is the ultimate, and the end of it all. While we yet live, we would enter into God’s rest if we do the first and second important labours or work that our Lord Jesus has told us to do; and which the Scripture also counsels us not to neglect.
Our Lord told us to believe in Him truly as God’s gracious and glorious Son whom He sent into the world for our redemption. This is the first work. He said, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent” (John 6:29). He made it expressly clear that He is not our Lord if we do not obey Him. In Luke 6:46 He said, “But why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” Again, in Matthew 7:21 He said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Therefore, the evidence that we have done the first work is that we obey Him and do what He says, which in turn would mean that we have done the will of the Father. The Scripture says, “…those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men” (Titus 3:8). We would have peace with God. This is the beginning and greatest of blessings.
The second work is the commission to win souls for Christ. This work is of utmost importance. It is as significant assignment given to us as soldiers of the cross. Our Lord said to us, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in my name He may give you.” (John 15:16). There is so much to be done. Let us labour for the salvation of our friends, sisters, cousins, brothers, colleagues, children, business associates, neighbours, and the world. Let us therefore work now while we can. We shall soon cease from our work, as our God did from His. Our Lord kept working while He was here on earth; and never ceased. He said concerning Himself, “I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” (John 9:4).
Let us labour now while it is day. Let us speak to our loved ones and bring them to Christ. When we enter into the Lord’s rest it would be impossible for us to work.
CHALLENGES
- How well have you laboured for Christ?
- Count the souls you have won for Him.
PRAYERS
- Pray for the spirit to remain steadfast in the work that God has assigned to you.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 9 December 2022
