Jesus said, 4 I[a] must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. (John 9 NKJV). 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! (John 4). At no point is that truer than today. Yet it is so easy to grow weary. To want to sit down and wait. But we are created and given new birth that we might be like Him. And we are promised that by working hard, we are also given peace. Actually, working Hard, does really bring peace.
How might you ask? Certainly at times it feels like the more I work the more fatigued, frustrated, and sad I become. Therefore working hard as the night approaches means I must dig down deep into the trenches. Didn’t memorial day just commemorate that. How many men and women died in battle working to hold fast to freedom so we might continue to be able to worship. Will we be called upon again to do just that? Even now, I recognize how pitifully sad a soldier I am. All too often I want to cry retreat, or just lay down my sword and surrender. Ah, but I must not—for that sword is the word of Truth without which I am nothing.
Working Hard is Part of Who We Are
God, Himself is working hard all the time. And since we were created in His image, how could we be satisfied with anything less. Some of the most miserably depressed, discontent and rebel rousers are those who have spent their lives idle. Some wandering aimlessly without purpose. When purpose is not defined, there is no peace of mind or spirit. We were made for working hard both physically and mentally. That is a part of who we are, without which our hearts become restless. Searching for peace, we create chaos instead.
Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered. Psalm 40: 5
God works and if we who are created in His image are to be content, we must also work. What work is the one that really brings peace? It is as Jesus said, doing the work of the Father. Some their work is worship, some prayer, some service, and others to teach. Yet, whatever task is yours, you will be most content when you by working hard, see glimpses of God’s Glory shining where you would least expect it. Those moments, however brief, are when you also will note peace flowing forth over your soul.
Commit[b] your works to the Lord,
And your thoughts will be established. Proverbs 16
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You, (Isaiah) 26: 3
Note the steps here.
1. You commit (surrender) your works to the Lord.
2. He establishes (takes control) of your thoughts
3. Because He controls your thoughts, your mind is stayed (focused) on Him.
4. He keeps you in perfect peace.
Our Sovereign God is Working Hard, Always
“Look among the nations and watch—
Be utterly astounded!
For I will work a work in your days
Which you would not believe, though it were told you. Habakkuk 1:5
Psalm 121
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to [a]be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your [b]keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall [c]preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve[d] your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
Working Hard Establishes Purpose and Really Brings Peace
As Paul wrote
28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. (Colossians 1)
Our primary purpose is to Glorify Him in all that we do. Others then will come to know Him. Yet, even that is gifted to us. It is given grace by grace as we are transformed into His image.
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90
Then, God’s light of grace shines through us to invite others.
15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2
No Task Too Menial
Whatever is the job God gives you, do it will all your heart and soul as unto the Lord. Do not cheat your boss. No dilly dawdling around. It is your Heavenly Father’s name that is at stake here. If people see you shirking your work, what kind of testimony will that leave?
22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 23
Now after all that for introduction, let us look at our text.
2 Thessalonians 3:
6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which [a]he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread [b]free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and [c]exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this [d]epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but [e]admonish him as a brother.
Therefore, Working hard does really bring peace.
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every [f]epistle; so I write.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Romans 11:
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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DISCLOSURES
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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