Your Daily Devotional for May 18, 2007

 

May 18,  2007

 

 

Compelled to Serve and Know Him

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."

 

2 Corinthians 4:1-2

 

 

Over the past few days we have seen that coming to Christ is a humbling experience and that Christ desires to change us and draw us closer to Him as we spend time in His Word. Not only will we be drawn closer to God through His Word, but we will also be compelled to serve and know Him more.

 

As we spend time with Christ in His Word, we will have a greater desire to serve Him. Isaiah 6:8 says, "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." As Isaiah stood in the presence of the Lord and saw His glory, He willingly volunteered to serve Christ in any way! Even so, as we spend time with Christ through His Word, and we see His glory, we will be compelled to serve Him. Serving Christ will become a joy, and we will look for any opportunity to serve Him.

 

Not only was Isaiah compelled to serve Christ more, but the Apostle Paul was as well. Paul volunteered to serve God when he beheld His glory. Acts 9:6 says, "And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." As we spend time in God's Word and behold His glory, we will delight in serving Christ and willingly volunteer to do His will as Paul did.

 

Not only are we compelled to serve God more as we spend time in His Word, but we are also compelled to know Him more. Proverbs 2:1-5 says, "My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God." God's Word is His personal letter to us, and we learn of Him as we spend time in His Word.

 

God promises that as we seek Him and ask Him for wisdom and understanding, He will reveal Himself to us. All we must do is seek Christ from the heart and He promises to reveal Himself to us! What a great promise! As we spend time with Him, we will be compelled to know Him more.

 

Do you enjoy serving Christ or has it become a burden? Do you have a passion to know Christ? As we behold God's glory through His Word, we will be compelled to serve God, and we will desire to study His Word so we can know Him more. Spend time with Christ today, volunteer to serve Him, and seek to know Him more.

 

 

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

1 Chronicles 4-6 • John 6:1-21

 

 

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