“Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.” – Psalm 100:2 (NKJV)
What makes you glad? Maybe it is eating pepperpot at Christmas time, going on vacation, going on a shopping spree, hearing the screams and laughter of children at play, or maybe it is just enjoying the peace and quiet of your own company. Whatever it is that brings you gladness, you would admit that this gladness warms the heart and is therapeutic to the soul.
So it is in serving the Lord. As we serve the Lord, He brings so much joy that we cannot explain. But what does “serve the Lord with gladness” really mean?
“Serve the Lord” means to perform duties for the Lord and to devote our life and efforts to Him. Duties for the Lord include duties in our home, church, or workplace/marketplace. For example, preparing a meal for your spouse, helping your children with homework, washing the dishes, sweeping the church, teaching Sunday School, directing vehicle parking and pedestrians, managing office supplies, organizing staff training, assisting customers, delivering babies… the list can go on. Maybe you never saw these duties as service to the Lord, but they are. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) tells us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart…It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Further, in devoting our lives to the Lord, we give our time or resources to Him. Giving all of my time or resources to the Lord Jesus seemed like an unreasonable thing until I came to the realisation that the Lord owns it all. Every minute, every second, every dollar, all belong to the Lord Jesus. So, when I give to Him, it is really that I’m giving back to Him what He has given to me. I, therefore, live every moment and use every resource the best way I can for the glory of God.
Brothers and sisters, when we do all these things for the Lord, we are to do them with gladness, not with a sorrowful countenance and complacent hearts. This gladness comes in simply knowing that we have the privilege of serving the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords. We are royal staff! What gladness it brings just to think of the reward we will receive. Everyone looks forward to a good remuneration package, and with Jesus, it is no different. We know that we will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
Serve the Lord with gladness. Bask in the satisfaction, warmth, and therapy serving the Lord brings, and wait on His reward in due time.
Prayer
Dear God, it is a privilege to serve You. Thank You for the gift of life. Help me serve You with gladness, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Read: Joshua 24:15; Philippians 2:14
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 85:8-13; Romans 3:9-31; Amos 3; Amos 4
