“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.” – Hebrews 6:10-11

Missionary James Hudson Taylor used to challenge his English students to be involved in China mission work by telling them the story about Peter, his Chinese convert and disciple.

One day while at sea, Peter (who did not know how to swim) fell from the side of the boat. Fortunately, there were fishermen nearby, just a grab away from where Peter fell. Taylor shouted at the fishermen and asked them to help his friend, “Hey, help my friend, he is drowning.” However, the fishermen did not bother to do his call for help because they were busy loading their catch from the net to their boat.

Taylor continued to yell, “Stop what you are doing, and help my friend. He is just a grab away.” But the fishermen continued on their work until the last fish was loaded to the boat. Then they jumped and got Peter out of water. They tried to revive him, but to no avail. Peter had drowned.

Then, Taylor asked the students what they thought of about the Chinese? Some said, they are bad, evil, selfish, unconcern about the salvation of a dying man. You know how Taylor responded? He said, “I saw differently. I think the Chinese are like most Christians today, they are unconcerned about the plight of the sinners who are now just a grab away from them. The reason is that they are so busy with their work.”

Are you “busy” or are you helping others grow in the Lord Jesus Christ? Today in prayer, thank the Lord for patiently working in your life and seek to help others grow in Christ.

“What this text says is that this combination is the secret of great blessing. The point is to encourage us that when we serve and keep on serving, even in the small and seemingly unnoticed ways, God will never forget. Every note you write, every call you make, every visit, every gift, every late night conversation, every turning the other cheek, every unrequited kindness, every service out of love for his name God sees and he will not forget them to all eternity.” – John Piper

God’s Word: “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” – Matthew 10:42

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2004, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN HEBREWS pkennedy6@yahoo.com