Working for the King
Introduction
Are you an effective worker for the Lord? Today, we will explore the lives of some of the King 's humble servants and understand why they were considered privileged to work for their sovereign.
These workers were not found in the palace courts nor fighting alongside soldiers, but engaged in manual labour, making pots.
Who Works for “The King?”
Consider 1 Chronicles 4:22 to 23 "And Jokim, and the men of Chozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who had the dominion in Moab, and Jashubilehem. And these are ancient things. These were the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.'' Notice how these workers lived and worked with the King, performing humble tasks yet enjoying a special relationship with him. This passage is not just a look into the ancestral records of Judah but highlights certain kingdom workers.
These individuals, although not dynamic or widely quoted, were crucial to the royal economy.
The Most Unlikely People are Called into God’s Service
1 Corinthians 1:26 to 29 states: “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are.”
We must realise that God's divine calling surpasses our earthly duties.
Jesus' burden is light, and our service to God is a privilege that transforms our lives, aligning our actions with His heavenly purposes. Each believer's task, regardless of size, is an offering to the King, and our faithfulness is what pleases God.
The LORD is Our Sovereign
1 Timothy 6:15 tells us: “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.” Revelation 17:14 affirms: “… for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”
Believers not only dwell in the King’s presence but also partake in His divine work. Every believer is divinely appointed for service. The Apostle Paul and other disciples demonstrated this by engaging in work alongside their ministry duties.
We Should Always Be Ready for the Lord’s Work
Notice how, when a soldier is called to duty, he remains faithful to just one authority.
In 2 Timothy 2:3 to 4, Paul advises young Timothy: "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." This means a soldier does not get involved in civilian matters because his allegiance is to his sovereign. The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a soldier to describe the Christian life. Similarly, Christians are called to live with discipline, commitment, and obedience to their commanding officer, Jesus Christ.
This is a call to be spiritually focused and single-minded.
Just as a soldier avoids distractions that might compromise their mission, Christians are urged to prioritise honouring the Lord over worldly concerns. This does not mean neglecting our earthly responsibilities but ensuring that we remain steadfast in our service to God.
The soldier’s ultimate goal is to satisfy his commanding officer.
Similarly, when believers live in a way that pleases God, recognising that they are chosen for His purposes, it becomes their privilege to glorify God and enjoy His presence forever.
ALL WHO LIVE WITH THE KING MUST WORK FOR HIM
Acts 18:2 to 3 shows Paul’s work: "And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers." Paul worked as a tentmaker, sharing this trade with Aquila and Priscilla. His dedication to labour ensured he was not a burden to others, as seen in 1 Corinthians 4:12 and 1 Thessalonians 2:9. Similarly, Peter and John, though unlearned, were fishermen by trade (Acts 4:13). James 2:17 to 18 reminds us: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." We also must consider that Jesus too had worked as a carpenter, but was now in full-time ministry.
Dwelling with the King for His Work
When believers stand before the King, we discover the purpose of our salvation.
We are not just passive receivers of God’s grace but active participants in His divine work.
Christians Keep the Word of the King
John 17:6 to 8, it records Jesus ’ prayer saying: "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word." Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me." This reflects the New Covenant Jeremiah spoke of, where God’s Word is written in our hearts. As recorded in Jeremiah 31:31 to 34. Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a NEW COVENANT with The House of Israel, and with The House of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which My Covenant they brake although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with The House of Israel. The LORD said this because, Israel and Judah was originally to be the LORD’S Bride exclusively... After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their Inward Parts, and WRITE IT IN THEIR HEARTS; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Conclusion
Our key verse, 1 Chronicles 4:23, reminds us of ordinary people diligently serving their King.
It highlights every believer's significant role in the body of Christ, showing how our lives contribute to His divine purposes.
Are you serving the King with all you have? Do you find yourself entangled in worldly affairs more than serving God with all your heart? Let us focus on our divine calling and the privilege it is to serve our Lord.