“My Father is still working, and I also am working” -John 5:17 (NIV).
The term “idle and disorderly” was introduced by the British colonialists to contain those whose conduct they considered a threat to the existence of the ruling class. People who fall in that category include: those found wandering aimlessly, gathering alms, playing games of chance in public places, loitering for immoral purposes, etc. Upon conviction one can be subject to a prohibitive fine or imprisonment up to seven years.
For these British rulers the “idle and disorderly” were considered as a nuisance, deserving to be cleared; though in truth, for many their aimlessness was a result of being deprived of their livelihood. Think of a time when people used to live in communities where they woke up to roles and duties specified for every individual. This is how most of our African societies used to function before colonialism arrived to upset the social order.
Writing to the church in Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul too, decries being “idle and disorderly” but for a different reason. His concern was not to secure himself and a group of nobles a genteel life safe from being disturbed by the “riff ruff”; rather, to see everyone of us is gainfully employed.
“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us” (2 Thessalonians 3:6). When people are “Idle and disorderly” Paul noted they tended to become “busybodies." "Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat” (vv 11-12).
It has been noted that King David took a man’s wife because Uriah, was at war, while David was slackening back home, with a lot of time on his hand (2 Samuel 11). Paul’s admonition against idleness is actually for our good. Aside from enabling us earn a living, it also saves us from all those temptations and distractions that come as a result of not being occupied in some productive pursuit.
Today, thank God if you have a task to keep you fully motivated and engaged through the day, for that is how the Lord intended to be. And where you may not, pray that you soon discover and engage in that task, so consuming that you have no time for being “idle and disorderly”!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I am grateful for the work you have given to me to keep me fully occupied and likewise pray that all believers may enjoy the same, for work is a form of worship to you, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
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10/05/2024 - 11/05/2024 All day“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 1:2)
During the time of the corona virus pandemic, one of the many blessings from God most people came to recognize is the blessing of good health. You only realize the magnitude of this when you fall ill or happen to lose a loved one, taken up by the virus. Suddenly, it occurs to so many of us, how blessed we have always been.
For it is easy to take for granted rising up easily every morning, bursting with energy and strength, to engage in any task of one’s dream. But come the day you are unable due to poor health then you know what you had!There was a wealthy man; a banker, he had been at the top of his trade where he met and dined with the mighty and powerful. He lacked nothing that money could not buy. But now he was bed ridden with multiple sclerosis, a debilitating disease that gradually paralyzes the nervous system. With all his money he could receive the best medical attention 24/7. But still he could hardly move from his lonely bed. I am sure he would say, “I would rather be poor if I can only have my good health back!”
Good health is not one of those prayer requests or praises that features in many places. It’s is normal to praise God for granting one some material acquisition, land or that big job. Rarely do people stand up to praise God for granting them the miracle of good health. So many take their health for granted, and like the Jews during their sojourn through wilderness, often find it convenient to grumble, of that which they lack. They look around, despise themselves and cry out for “land and good houses!” Yet if all knew that one could have anything but without good health, where else can you enjoy anything you have!
Let us thank God for good health, every single day, and agree with the Psalmist, “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion” (Psalm 103: 2-4).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I rise to thank you for the good health you have given me and indeed I am so blessed; so let me rejoice in this gift of good health with gratitude, to serve you even more, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
