Lord, Give Me The Strength To Serve You

‘Now, He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them,’ Luke 4v38-39.

THE healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, according to this Biblical account, is an eye-opener to every child of God. Because of the importance of the story, two other gospel writers namely Matthew and Mark recorded it too (Matt. 8v14-15, Mark 1v29-31).

According to the Bible, the woman in question had a very high fever such that, if care was not taken, could lead to paralysis, a state of coma and even result in sudden death. But when Jesus appeared on the scene, He healed her and to show that she was completely healed, she arose and served them. For the woman, true greatness lies in service and more so in the service of God, there is freedom. So, there was nothing to reserve as what she needed was granted unto her and that was strength, which she graciously ploughed back into God’s service.

In today’s world, we have problems and temptations too. First, when we feel our services are not valued or recognised, we tend to slow down in our service to the Lord. Some may indulge in murmuring and complaining, rather than asking God for strength to persevere and serve Him. When one is trapped in such a web, he or she may easily diminish in the things of the spirit, which is not good.

Secondly, when we think we are essential commodity that people cannot do without, pride may over-power us. Remember, pride goes before a fall. However, think of it, what do we have that we did not receive? Have we forgotten that every good and perfect gift comes from above? Yes, if we do not deal with pride, it could ruin us, as it ruined Satan and he was cast down never to recover.

The Scripture beckons on the believer to have the mind of Christ, Who though was God, was humble to do the work of His Father. His humility, therefore, brought a great reward from His Father that at the mention of His name, every knee bows and every tongue confesses that He is God to the glory of God the Father, Phil. 2v8-11.

We, therefore, challenge every child of God today to have the mindset of asking God to give us the strength always to serve Him. The case of Peter’s mother-in-law, who was healed and ploughed her strength back to His service, should be a referral point to all and sundry. We sincerely pray that the Holy Spirit may be our guide!

Prayer
Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
To give and not to count the cost,
To fight and not to heed the wounds,
To toil and not to seek for rest,
To labour and not to ask for reward,
Save that of knowing that I do your will.

Ven. Ernest Onuoha
Rector, Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State.
www.ibrucentre.org