THREE ESSENTIAL THINGS!

Friday, April 3, 2020

THREE ESSENTIAL THINGS!

           We hear the word “essential” often these days. All businesses are closed due to the viral pandemic except those deemed essential. While the word essential is not found anywhere in the Bible, I think we can see three essential things.

Gen 2:18

18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

           Companionship! God thought it was not good that man should be alone. It is like having a playground all to oneself but what good is a teeter-totter without a counterweight and shared laughter. Solomon comments on this in the following verses.

Eccl 4:9-10

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

           Worship! Man was made a spirit being. It is an essential part of his nature to worship; to regard someone or something to be greater than himself. How hopeless is the man that has no higher power to look to? How dreadfully futile are all his efforts? It is a lonely man who has no affirmation nor condemnation. He is without direction and has no sure destination. Jesus comments on this.

Luke 10:41-42

Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

           Service! Man was fashioned after God. He is a thinker and a doer. As a thinker, he named all the animals. As a doer he was assigned the task of gardener in a perfect place. While perfect, the garden needed someone to “dress” it. If we look around us, we will see ample opportunity to serve God and to serve others.

Matt 22:36-40

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Dear Lord, we have been told to stay at home! We are suffering the loss of companionship and our sense of community. Restore to us the blessing of belonging. Lord, we have also been restricted from our houses of worship. Restore to us that personal devotion that makes us sit at your feet like Mary. Lord, all around us are needy people. Give us the liberty and ability to serve others. AMEN