Today’s exhortation – giving to God
John F Kennedy in his inauguration speech as president of the United States said these historic words, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” That statement has challenged people all over the world to contribute in some way to the public good. But now I offer a different challenge, “Ask not what God can do for you – ask what you can do for your God.” God does so much for us and blesses us daily. Even you reading this alone is a sign of His blessing. He’s constantly giving and we’re always asking, but how about we give back to Him? We’re in a relationship with Him and every healthy relationship is give and take.
Having said that, what can we give Him? Everything is His! The bible says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;” (Psalm 24:1). There’s one thing we can give Him and it’s our worship! The Lord Jesus Himself said, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is SEEKING such to worship Him.” (John 4:23). If you were looking to get a gift for someone you love, you get them what you know they really want. Well, The Father is seeking true worshippers who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth. He won’t force us to give it to Him, we’ll have to offer it from our own free will. But that will make Him glad.
Francis Hans-Jorie