It is my prayer that every Christian recognizes the importance of serving God through the way we serve others.  There are few things, if any, that are as emotionally exhilarating, and draining, as the task of serving others.  Having worked in a variety of ministry settings, including various roles within Christian camp ministry, I understand the excitement that often comes with the beginning of a new ministry or ministry season.  I also understand the weariness than can develop when our focus begins to drift away from the ministry of serving and onto ourselves.

This is day five in the eighth week of devotions from the book, “Serving God: Devotions for Active Worship”.  This devotional book is laid out in thirteen weeks of daily devotions with each week wrapped around an aspect of how we can serve others.  Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God to see how serving others is an act of worship.

Serving God:
Guard Your Heart With Trust

“Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.  He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.“
Psalm 112:6-7 (NIV)

Who do you trust?  Why?  How does trust, or a lack of it, influence the way you serve?  How likely is bad news to keep you from serving as you should?  Has fear ever made you hesitant to serve — or even kept you from serving — when you knew God wanted you to serve?  Did the real problem lie with your level of trust of those you were supposed to serve or with your trust of God?  How does guarding your heart with trust help you to overcome the fear that keeps you from serving?  How will trust in God help you serve more effectively today.

Sometimes we learn things as we serve that are difficult to understand.  It is during those times that our trust in God is often tested.  Most of us want to erase bad news, or at least change it to something that doesn’t negatively impact our life.  It is our trust in God that guards our heart as we serve so that fear doesn’t have to lead us into wrong actions.  When your heart is guarded by trust, you are able to serve without fear.

As you pray, ask God to help your trust in Him to grow daily.  Pray that you would turn to God for wisdom in serving through the midst of any bad news that comes your way.

In prayer,

Tom