“If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.” Proverbs 24:10 NKJV
Powerful verse. To me, this indicates that you must fortify yourself in advance of persecution. The godly in Christ will suffer it (2 Timothy 3:12). There is no way around it. The Holy Spirit will prepare us to withstand. We must be faithful to what He tells us because He will teach us all things and will show us things to come. (John 14:26, 16:13).
The Apostle Paul teaches that we are to work as though we are “working for the Lord and not for people.” He’s saying that no job is too small, no job is too menial, and no job is too insignificant when you have the right motive and perspective. We should think, “I’m doing it for God; I’m doing this job as if I’m doing it for the Lord. I used to clean meat lockers in a butcher shop, and I would clean it as unto the Lord.”
Now, how do I know if I’m doing my work for the Lord? Two characteristics will show up in your attitude – Excellence-If I’m doing my work for the Lord, and not just for the boss, then I’ll do it with excellence. That means I will do the best I can because I’m not doing it for anyone’s approval except God’s. Enthusiasm-And, I do my work with enthusiasm. I work for God; therefore, I do it with a cheerful attitude. “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.” (Romans 12:11 NLT) When you work with all your heart, motivated by the love of Christ, your work will be transformed into an act of worship for God.”
I got this from one of the devotionals that I was reading yesterday. Very inspiring. I need to read that and wanted to share.
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
Another translation says to be continually aware that your work in the Lord is never futile or wasted. The question I have for myself is what am I doing that I feel is a waste of time? Does it honor the Lord or is it a long-term investment that will bear good fruit?