SEPT. 2, 2013
Cupbearer
To The King
Read: Nehemiah 2:1-8
Why is your face sad? . . . What do you request?
—Nehemiah 2:2,4
One
of my favorite Bible passages that applies to work is Nehemiah 1–2. King
Artaxerxes’ employee Nehemiah had been such an exemplary worker that the
king
wanted to honor him by helping him when he was sad that Jerusalem was
still in
ruins. He asked Nehemiah, “Why is your face sad? . . . What do you request?”
(2:2,4). He wasn’t just any worker for the king, he was the cupbearer, the man
who
tasted the king’s drink to protect him from being poisoned. In order to
have earned
such a position, he apparently worked hard and honored God in everything
he did.
And the king granted his requests.
God
cares about the way we work. Colossians 3:23 tells us, “Whatever you do, do it
heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” We can follow Nehemiah’s example in
these
ways: Be such a competent and trusted worker that God is honored (Neh.
1:11–2:6).
Care passionately about others and what’s important to them. Take
action, occasionally
even risky action, to honor what’s important to God and to
fellow believers (2:3-6).
When
we honor God in work, our employers may notice. But even if they don’t, our
heart’s desire and purpose should be to honor the One we really serve—the Lord
our
God (Col. 3:17,23).
O Lord, may the way I serve tell Your story!
I want to bring You all the glory in my work,
at home, and everywhere I go. Fill me and use
me to bless others and honor You today.
God honors faith because faith honors God.
Source: Our Daily Bread 2013
