His Great Delight

Today's Daily Reading is from Stasi's new book The Ladder of Love, available now — order your copy today!

I have written about the heart of devotion that is the true motivation for a servant of Christ’s. But what is the heart of the One we serve?  How does the King feel about His charge? How does our God feel toward His servant? You already know the answer, don’t you? Just as we are moved by love to offer our lives to Christ, so He is moved by love to offer His to us.

The Scriptures teach us that the master is to treat his servants fairly, impartially, and with kindness. “And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him” (Ephesians 6:9).

In 1 Kings and 1 Chronicles we learn of King Rehoboam, a king who was not a “servant- king,” though he had received wise counsel that he should be. “If . . . you will be a servant to these people and serve them . . . they will always be your servants” (1 Kings 12:7). He was not their servant and instead treated his people harshly, and it tore the kingdom apart. King Rehoboam failed his people miserably.

Biblically, the relationship between a master and a servant is one that is characterized by mutual service. The master looks at those in his charge and sees people who are made in the image of God, each one bearing dignity and worthy of love. Just like Jesus, a Christian master says, “I love my servant as I love myself.”

A good master treats his servants fairly. A just master serves those entrusted to him. Like Jesus, a wise king receives the offerings from his devoted ones with joy and will himself offer more than he has received.

Our Jesus is good, just, wise, and loving beyond telling. He generously rewards those who serve Him. He urges us on to imitate Him and live lives of surrendered love. He misses nothing. He sees it all. Your offerings, great and small, bring Him great joy. This God of ours, who lives within us and animates our being, shares His joy with us as we partner with Him, laying our lives down on behalf of others. Friends, your service, your love, your acts of devotion bring Him great delight.

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