THE GLORIFIED STATE Devotion 10 of 25 Tomorrow:
" . . . and His servants shall serve Him."
Here is a term by which the people of God will BE known in the world to come as well as this one: "His servants." The sons of God are ever about doing their Father's business. They have been called into His work, and are "laborers together with God" (1 Cor 3:9). It all begins now, during "the day of salvation" and "the acceptable year of the Lord" (2 Cor 6:2; Lk 4:19).
We must thrust from us any notion that salvation is primarily God identifying with us, helping us, and coming to our aid. Those things do take place in Christ, to be sure, but they are fringe benefits necessitated by our human frailty and ignorance. However, in no way is the Lord our servant we are ever His. As trite as that observation may appear, there is an alarming tendency to represent Christ as the resolution to personal difficulties and the means of achieving personal goals. I realize there is an element of truth to this, but it has been grossly exaggerated. Our redemption brings us into the Divine agenda, freeing us from enslavement to self, sin, and "this present evil world."
In the world, the word "servant" does not denote exaltation or superiority in any sense. In a way, in this present evil world, "servant" is a demeaning term. But it is not so in the Kingdom of God. Think of the exemplary individuals known for being the servants of God. "My servant Moses . . . My servant Caleb . . . My servant David . . . My servant Job . . . Abraham His servant . . . My servant Isaiah . . . My servants the prophets . . . His servant John . . . Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ . . . Epaphras, a servant of Christ . . . Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ" (Num 12:7; 14:24; 2 Sam 3:18; Job 1;8; Psa 105:7; Isa 20:3; Jer 7:25; Rev 1:1; Rom 1:1; Col 4:12; Jude 1). What a notable and distinguished list!
As if that was not enough, the Lord Jesus Himself is called a servant. Prophetically Isaiah said, "Behold My Servant, whom I uphold; Mine Elect, in whom My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon Him: He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles" (Isa 42:1). Matthew refers to Jesus fulfilling this text in Matthew 12:15. Several times the Prophets referred to the coming Messiah as God's "Servant." In that capacity, God would give Him as a "light to the Gentiles" (Isa 49:6). God's "Servant" would be exalted and extolled, and be very high" (Isa 52:13). Declaring the accomplishment of justification, God said through Isaiah, "My righteous Servant shall justify many" (Isa 53:11). God prophesied through Zechariah, "I will bring forth My Servant, the BRANCH'" (Zech 3:8). For Him, this involved humbling Himself. Yet, that humility became the basis for His exaltation above every name that is named, not only in this world, but in the world to come. As it is written, "But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a SERVANT, and was made in the likeness of men" (Phil 2:7). His exaltation is the consequence of His servanthood. "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:9)
AN EXALTED POSITION
So far as we are concerned, this is the highest position in God's Kingdom. As it is written, "And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant . . . But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant" (Matt 20:27; 23:11). Servanthood, in this case, involves the willing abandonment of self interests in order to minister to the Lord, doing His bidding and profiting His people.
Being a servant is the appointed prelude to reigning with Christ. As it is written, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" (Matt 25:21). Those who will be condemned are described as "wicked and slothful servants," and "unprofitable servants" (Matt 25:26,30).
There is no more elevated position than that of employment in Divine service. Our Lord's work is the highest work, and those involved in it are the uppermost people. The greatest liberty is enjoyed in the Lord's service, and the grandest rewards are offered there. It is here that our hearts are most fully satisfied, our peace is most extensive, and our joy brought to its zenith. What soul is there, who is engaged in serving the Lord, that has not found this to be so?
Thus, when we read "His servants shall serve Him," we are reading of the consummate blessing. Those with understanding can shout with David, "For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness" (Psalms 84:10).
PRAYER POINT: Father, I delight to serve You in this world, and I am anticipating serving You in the world to come. I thank You in Jesus' name for the honor of serving You, and ask for grace to do so with consistency and zeal, all the while bringing great joy to You.