August 8

If we are among those who think God wound up the universe and then left it to itself, we are mistaken. How do we know? Because He said so. In Luke 12:37, Jesus Himself says, “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake and watching when he comes. I say to you that the master will gird himself and serve those faithful ones.”

It was unheard of in Jesus’ day that a master would condescend to wait upon those whose duty it was to serve him. These people were literally slaves—what wealthy slave owner would actually prepare a table for people who were his possession and treat them as honored guests!

Here the Lord is telling us He is that Master. Though we are Christ’s (for we are bought with the great price of His own shed blood), though the price He paid for us entitles Him to ownership of us, yet He wants us to know that He does not regard us as slaves and hirelings. He is watching over us in order to reward us for our faithfulness to Him.

What an amazing thought! The One who spoke creation into being, who ordered the planets in their course, who designed the inner intricacy of every organism is always watching those who have placed their lives at His feet so He may reward their faithfulness! We have been given His unspeakable Gift, and He wants to serve us His delights day by day--how could we consider this to be the heart of an impersonal God!