Voice:
Today is Tuesday, 14th of April. Let’s gather our scattered thoughts and enter into His presence.
Psalm 5:1-8
Listen to my words, Lord,
consider my lament.
2 Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
with you, evil people are not welcome.
5 The arrogant cannot stand
in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
6 you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
you, Lord, detest.
7 But I, by your great love,
can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
toward your holy temple.8 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies—
make your way straight before me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as It was in the beginning, is
now, and shall be forever. Amen.
Colossians 1:24-29
24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom,so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Laboring for His Church
Isn’t the suffering and work of Christ complete? Yes—it is full and sufficient for our salvation. Yet, Jesus said that the Father must send laborers into His harvest (John 4:35–38; cf. Matthew 9:37–38).
The work of the cross is finished—but the message must still be carried. The gospel does not travel on its own; it requires messengers. There remains a necessary work: to bring the finished work of Christ to a world that desperately needs to hear it.
It is in this sense that Paul describes his suffering for the Church as “filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” Not that Christ’s atoning work is incomplete, but that the proclamation of that work continues through His servants. Paul was willing to suffer for the sake of the Church. He became its servant—even a bondslave.
His goal was clear: that everyone in Christ’s Church would reach full maturity. For this, Paul labored and struggled, declaring,
“I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”
Today’s devotion is a needed reminder—especially for pastors and elders. It brings us back to the heart of our calling: to suffer, to care, and to contend for His Church.
Yes, the work is often hard. It can be discouraging. Most of the time, it is not glamorous. In a world where careers are measured by achievement, recognition, and advancement, those who serve in the Church must think and live differently.
Position, financial reward, personal fulfillment, and promotion—these hold little weight in God’s kingdom. And when no one seems to notice your labor, remember: the Lord does.
Local churches can easily become obsessed with attendance, finances, and buildings. These are often treated as the key measures of success. But are they truly biblical?
Your crown and reward are the people entrusted to your care.
As Paul the Apostle writes in 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20:
“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?
Is it not you?
Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”
Will we care and suffer for His Church?
And will we do so—not in our own strength—but through the energy that Christ so powerfully works within us?
Collect
Lord Jesus Christ,
you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant, and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation:
give us the mind to follow you and to proclaim you as Lord and King, to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
In closing, be blessed by this song, Instrument of Peace by Jean Tan. It is an adaptation of the Prayer of St Francis.
Lord make me an instrument of Your peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, let me sow faith
Where there is quiet despair, hope
Where there is darkness, let me sow light
Where there is sadness, joy
Daily Devotion 
Leave a comment