Words of Hope Daily Devotional
Surrender, Slavery, and Serving
Read: Luke 1:26-38
And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (v. 38)
Ask a student what her goal in life is. I very much doubt you will hear her say, “My goal in life is to become a servant.” Most people don’t think very highly of the profession. But if you bear the name “Christian,” you also bear the title “servant.”
Jesus himself was referred to as a servant (see Acts 3:13). Mary declared herself a “servant of the Lord.” Paul, James, Peter, and Jude all introduced themselves as “a servant of God.” We too are servants. Through surrendering to Christ, we inherit all the characteristics of a servant of Christ: living for him, submitting to him, and obeying him.
The Bible also uses the word slave to describe who we are in Christ. That really is a title no one desires. It has nothing but negative associations, but to be a slave of Christ is completely different.
First Corinthians 7:22 says, “he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.” The reason this is different from any other slavery is that we choose to be Christ’s slave through our desire to surrender to him. Out of our love and gratitude we serve him willingly, joyfully, and freely. That is not slavery to dread. It is a privilege we ought to rejoice in.
As you pray, ask God to help you gladly bear the name “servant of God.”
About the Author
Jessica Heikoop was a writer and editor from Ontario, Canada. Beloved by her family and community, she died in 2013 at the age of 31.
Following Christ’s Example
Read: Philippians 2:5-11 Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (v. 7) Human examples of surrendering to God, like the apostle Paul, Jonathan Edwards, and Jim Elliot, are wonderful. But
A Surrendered Life
Read: Philippians 3:1-21 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I
Surrender Reputation
Read: John 12:37-50 They loved the glory that comes from man more. (v. 43) Admit it: you care about what others think of you. Nobody wants to be laughed at or mocked. We all want respect. That’s not bad, but worrying
Thy Will Be Done
Read: John 6:35-40 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. (v. 38) As every parent soon learns, children develop a will of their own. It happens
Surrender Possessions
Read: Mark 10:17-31 He went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (v. 22) The rich young ruler was a man who wanted to follow Christ but wasn’t willing to surrender his possessions in order to do so. In the end,
Surrender Your Fears
Read: Luke 12:22-34 Which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? (v. 25) Many of us would have to confess that we aren’t anxious about anything except our worries. As Oscar Wilde quipped,