Psalm 119:148 - Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Well, I finally decided to do the 3rd edition of "Meditate on the Word". I apologize for the long delay of almost three years!
The above verse is very powerful and very important. The apostle Paul is exhoring us to be steadfast. Steadfast means to be firmly fixed in place, not subject to change, firm in belief, determination or adherence. Are you firmly fixed in place serving the Lord without compromise or lowering your standards? Or are you subject to change being tossed about to and fro by every wind of false doctrine? My friend, we must stay firm in our belief and be determined to stand on the promises. We must earnestly contend for and defend the faith. We don't want to give the enemy a place to creep in our minds and cause doubt. Stick to the blessed old book and keep your eyes upon Jesus living by faith and obedience to His word and you will be steadfast.
We also are exhorted to be unmoveable. It is not easy to remain calm and trust in God during trials but He promises to supply all our needs. He tells us that all things will work together for good and that we should be careful or anxious for nothing when we walk by faith and put our complete trust and dependence upon Him. God makes no mistakes! Jesus never fails! A great saying is "did it ever occur to you that nothing ever occurs to God.". My friend, are you unmoveable? Or do you worry, murmur, complain, etc. when you face trials and storms in your life? The writer is guilty of this and many other believers are as well. The enemy knows our weak spots and only by turning our eyes upon Him can we find comfort and true joy
Let us always abound in the work of the Lord. Are you actively witnessing? You may not get to go on visitation at your church but at least try to give or lay out a tract at work, in your neighborhood, or wherever the Lord leads. Are you a faithful, devoted servant? I encourage you to study what the Bible says about being a servant and serving, but that is another message. Are you actively serving in your church? Can your pastor count on you when you are needed? It should be every believers desire to want to serve the Lord whenever and wherever they can in whatever way He leads. One should do it not to please self, or even others but to honor and glorify the Lord as their primary motive. It is easy to serve God with a wrong motive and will only burn up at the Bema seat. Remember, "Only one life will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ according to the will of God will last."
Finally, realize your labor is not in vain in the Lord. I want to close with some words from two songs. The first is called "Be Ye Steadfast":
God's children in old times were tempted and tried. By faith they pressed onward, their eyes on the prize. They went through the fire. They sealed bloody seas. Encouraged by words from the Bible like these (1 Cor. 15:58)
When someday we land on that heavenly shore, we'll see friends and loved ones whove gone on before. But the one that our eyes will be longing to see is the one who redeemed us on dark calvary.
Please take a look at the chorus from another great hymn called "It's Not in Vain"
It's not in vain! It's not in vain! we serve a risen Savior! Jesus rules and reigns! The Heavens cheer us on. We do not walk alone. Our labor, our witness, our faith is not in vain! It's not in vain!
My dear friend, realize that your labor is not and never will be in vain in the Lord when you are serving through eyes of faith in obedience to His precious holy word! So Keep on serving for your labor is not in vain in the Lord!
- Craig Glickman --- 3/27/09