October 1, For the Lord

Today’s reading: Psalms 1-5

“Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him” - Psalm 4:3.

God has called you to a life of service during which you will direct your purpose and use your gifts to help other people in many ways. Yet no matter how often or how much you serve others, God must remain the focus of your service. What you do, you do for Him, so that when people are ungrateful, unresponsive, or unapproachable, you will not become disillusioned or discouraged. This principle was reinforced throughout the Old Testament in the symbol of the burnt offering, which was not consumed by the priest, but was to be burned completely (without the blood and fat) as an offering only to the Lord: “You are to wash the internal organs and the legs with water, and the priest is to bring all of them and burn them on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord” (Leviticus 1:13). Do your feelings get hurt when people don’t recognize or appreciate you? Are you doing what you do ultimately for the Lord? Do you mind being a burnt offering, consumed in the fire of God’s service and presence, as a sacrifice to Him in your service to others? Lord, there are some people that I need to forgive today, people who have injured me and probably aren’t even aware they have done so. They have not recognized my kindness to them, and I took it personally. I forgive them and I commit to continue to do good because you require it, not so others will recognize it.