The servant of the Lord Jesus must be instant in season and out of season, knowing that he is the Lord's messenger to every one with whom he has to do: ever learning of the Lord; for, seeing that he is to be continually ministering to others, he must be receiving fresh supplies from the God of all grace through all channels. Meditation of the Word and prayer should occupy the chief part of his time. In his public ministry and private conversation, he should aim at heart and conscience, seeking in every way to magnify Christ and abase the creature. In short, he should set the Lord always before him, and so walk in His steps as to represent Him to every eye. If Paul had much joy in his spiritual children at Philippi, he had much profit, though little joy, by those at Corinth, who by their many evils gave him so great occasion to show the heart of Christ. Those who walk with God hear His voice and He employs them. A good workman gains skill by his mistakes. The Lord Jesus always finds service for willing hearts and willing hands: let us desire only that service for which He has fitted us. If each child of God, each member of Christ, had due conscience of his own accountability, we should soon see better things in the church of God. If we be careless in the Lord's service, He will surely require it of us. Let the servants of Christ put toil and hardship by the side of the recompense, and look well to the state of their hearts, taking heed day by day that they please God: so will they be always rejoicing, though always sorrowful. The joy and triumph of faith are only to be found in the way of unreserved consecration of ourselves to God, and of diligent service of Christ. All who labour for Christ shall receive great wages for little toil. It is our wisdom to account the pleasing God our great reward. If we leave it altogether to His will how and when to give us fruit of our labour, we shall obtain abundantly what, as our chief aim, we do not seek. Martha would please the Lord in her own way; Mary in her Lord's way. There are many who would please the Lord; but in their own way, for lack of trying their works by the Scriptures: amid much labour they are unspiritual and barren. From the charge of Paul to Timothy (1 Tim. 4:12-16), we gather the true and proper character of the servant of God. The work of a servant of the Lord demands entire self-denial. "Even Christ pleased not Himself" (Rom. 15:3). He must be the servant of all men for Jesus' sake, that he may be, under his Lord, a leader and a commander of the people: the foremost to suffer; the most laborious in all service; ever caring for others, ever forgetting himself. Spiritual Warfare