““Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” 41 Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?”
42 And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 45 But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 46 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful. 47 “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. 48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”” Luke 12:39-48 NIV
Lord and Master,
It is good to jump back a few chapters from yesterday and remember Jesus gave us warnings that we cannot blame others for not knowing what we should be doing. We should know and be self aware. A faithful servant makes sure he is doing what he was asked, behaving as he was charged to do and doing what the master wants because it is right, good and His service for His master.
But You are a good God You are not an waiting to catch us out or to trip us up, or say I knew you would let me down. But You do say that You will punish those who know and do not do . . . For those of us willing and trying, You God are glad to catch us doing good, willing to forgive where we trip up and only expecting us to do what is humanly possible. Because then You can step in and help doing the divine and the miraculous.
You know when we are burned out and need to be enfolded. You know when we need a nudge to be brave and You know when we need a little more oil in our lamp. So keep us willing and not numbered with those not prepared to do what a servant should do. And not judge them but be encouragers. And not get puffed up about how good we are, as we read in Luke 17:10, “‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”
In Jesus name we pray.
Worship Wednesday 5th November 2025
The verses not included are written underneath the lyrics below.
O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer,
this is my constant longing and prayer;
gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus Thy perfect likeness to wear.
Oh! to be like Thee! O to be like Thee,
blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art!
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
O to be like Thee! Full of compassion,
loving, forgiving, tender, and kind;
helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
seeking the wand’ring sinner to find.
Chorus
O to be like Thee! Lowly in spirit,
holy and harmless, patient, and brave;
meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
willing to suffer, others to save.
Chorus
Lyrics: Thomas O Chisholm
Verses not included but worth praying . . .
O to be like Thee! Lord, I am coming
now to receive the anointing divine;
all that I am and have I am bringing,
Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.
O to be like Thee! While I am pleading,
pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;
make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
fit me for life and heaven above. [Refrain]