“Serve the LORD with gladness….”
Psalm 100:2a (NKJV)

Whether it’s around the house, at work, church, or in your community, what is your response when asked to serve? Do you serve with gladness? Is there joy in your serving? If not, could it be that you’ve forgotten the One whom you are called to serve? The Psalmist reminds us, “Serve the LORD…” The quickest way to restore your joy in serving others is to consider that the one you’re really serving is God. We best serve God by serving others. Jesus reminds us that when we serve the least of these, those who could never repay us, we are serving Him! (See Matthew 25:31-46).

Another way to restore our joy in serving is when we love with no strings attached! I’m more apt to serve with gladness when I’m serving the Lord and loving others as Christ loves me - unconditionally! Some translations change the word “serve” in Psalm 100:2 to “worship”. That tells me that my service is an act of worship! It’s a way to demonstrate my love for God! When I love with no strings attached, I can serve with gladness because my service is an act of worship!

Jesus said that those who serve would be the greatest in the Kingdom of God! “Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.’” Matthew 20:25-28 (NIV).

Serving with gladness runs contrary to our nature and our culture. We want to be served. Yet, as counterintuitive as it seems, real joy comes in serving, not being served. We lose our joy when we interpret the word “service” as “serve-us!” Jesus’ own life and ministry are a living example to us. The Bible says, “… the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 (NIV).

I’m most like Jesus when I’m serving, and when I recognize that He is the one I’m serving, I can serve with gladness because it becomes an act of worship!

Make a radical break from our culture and look for ways to serve God by serving others. There are needs all around you. Begin in your home. Ask yourself how you could serve your spouse and your kids. What about in your neighborhood? Is there a shut-in or senior adult who may need some practical assistance around their house? Our church has over 100 ministries that couldn’t function without willing volunteers who step up to serve.

Maybe it’s time to step out of your comfort zone and stretch your faith into action. Love is something you do. Love is manifested when we serve with gladness. Your attitude will become contagious! People around you will wonder what is motivating you. It will point others to Jesus!

As you read Psalm 100 today, ask the Lord where He may want you to serve and serve Him with gladness!

To read this devotional online or catch up on past ones, visit https://kerryshook.org/blog.

Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.

Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.

Psalm 100

Psalm 65