“One Thing” (4)—Service - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13–14 NKJV

“One Thing” (4)—Service
Communion comes before service, as seen in the story of Martha (Lk. 10:41–42), but that does not mean service is not important. There is work to be done for the Lord! “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

Today’s verse mentions forgetting those things which are behind. We all have baggage in our past, whether before we were saved or in our failures as believers. Paul persecuted the saints, and Peter denied the Lord. But did you know that the Lord is forgetful in one aspect? You ask, “How can that be? How can an omniscient God be forgetful?” Nonetheless it is true! Hebrews 8:12 says that “their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” If God has forgotten our past sins, then so should we! Do not let the guilt of the past be a weight that hinders you in your service for the Lord.

God has a work for each one of us, no matter how old we are. The job of children is to obey their parents in the Lord, and the corresponding job of parents is to bring up their children in the training and admonition of the Lord. We all have a duty in the gospel and in our local assemblies. As we grow older, our role may change, but there is still work to be done. Caleb’s best work was done after he turned 85 years old! In the service of the tabernacle, the duties of the Levites progressed from bearing the burdens to increased responsibility and finally to the role of oversight. That is usually the pattern for us too.

One thing I do—like Paul, may we serve the Lord with all our heart and soul, with the finish line in view before us.

-- Tim Bouter