Daily Devotional for Sunday, June 18

Be a Willing Servant

“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,” Acts 9:6

The concept of servanthood was very familiar to the nation of Israel. Bondservants were bought and sold and laws were written governing this process. In Deuteronomy 15:12-18, we read that in the seventh year God commanded that all bondservants were to be set free. However, if the servant desired to stay because of his love for the master, then an awl would be thrust through his ear to the door and he would then be his servant forever. A willing servant.

The Apostle Paul often referred to himself as the servant of Christ. From the moment he realized that Jesus truly was their long-awaited Messiah, his next words were, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” There was no hesitation and no excuses given for further delay. From that point forward Paul surrendered his life completely in service to his Lord. He dedicated his life to the Gospel, strengthening the Lord’s churches and suffered much during the course of his ministry. He understood that this was his reasonable service. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

What a beautiful picture we see in the bondservant that chooses to stay with his master. You also can make the choice to stay by the side of the One who paid a great price for you and serve Him willingly. Our Savior has bought us out of the bondage of sin and set us free. There is no greater Master we could ever desire. We absolutely owe Him our lives and although we are indebted to Him, how much sweeter when our service is motivated from a heart of love.

REFLECTION: “And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:27)  

Darla Goodrum