Scripture

Happy is the slave whom the Master, when He comes, will find on the watch for Him.

~Luke 12:17, Williams

Quote

Happiness is to know the Saviour, Living a life within His favour, Having a change in my behaviour, Happiness is the Lord.

~Ira Stanphill

I am reading through the Williams translation and yesterday I was in Luke twelve. I had a vain thought before beginning the chapter: I thought, “What can I possibly learn new. I have read this chapter ten dozens times?” O foolish man that I am, only a God of mercy would put up with me! I had never noticed the happy slave who is mentioned twice. I know “Happy Slave” sounds like an oxymoron but it is not. Our present culture does not understand the ancient world where poverty abounded. There was a very small middle class in those days and most people had to worry about the basics of life: food, clothing and shelter. Have you ever had to worry about those things? No, not you or myself; we have always had food, clothing and shelter. We may not have had steak or wore designer clothes but we had what we needed–they didn’t. In those days people starved to death literally. A person struggling to survive was thrilled to find a good master so that their worries {food, clothing, shelter} were over. The Jews had a law. An indentured servant, once he had worked off his debt could become a bond-slave. In other words, he or she voluntarily enter into a slave agreement. Of course, having a good master made all the difference.

SO the happiest person on the farm of a good master was the slave. He had no worries and only one obligation–Obey the master. A good master always provides for an obedient slave. By the way, Jesus referred to Himself as a bonds slave. If you will read Luke 12, you will discover that the Master rewards the obedient slave. At the end of the day, the obedient slave owns part of the farm. If you don’t believe me, read it for yourself. Trust me folks, the meek will inherit the earth literally.

Extra

Yesterday was beautiful: I could handle a few more days such days. God is good! His mercy ceases to amaze me. Christy had a chemo treatment yesterday. Pray for Christy. Grace Pointers: we may change the Wednesday night Stew {March 12} to our DEDICATION SERVICE for the new Fellowship Hall. We are working on it. June is trying to find us a caterer today and hopefully I will have something to present Sunday. The first order of business is to make sure all our Saturday workers can be there on March 12. We will have supper, a slide show and the dedication of the new building. Send your pics to Josh.

God bless you, have a great Tuesday and thanks for reading the blog.