“These were the potters, and those that dwelt Among Plants and Hedges: There They Dwelt With The King For His Work” (1Chron.4:23 KJV).
Among Plants and Hedges! What a place to be; and to be doing the work of the king. The New Living Translation Bible (NLT) translated the last phrase of this verse as: “They lived there and worked for the King.” Wow, this is mind blowing, put alongside our craze for the limelight, position, and influence; even among us in the church from the leadership to the led! Yes, not only the workers, even the king dwelt among the plants and hedges! What a sobering revelation; the king dwelling among potters, plants and hedges? Some may argue that this happened to King David at the time when Soul was still king, and he was running for his dear life. Sure, that may be the situation, but it did not remove the fact that he was a king, chosen and duly anointed by God. How many princes and princesses (Kings and Queens in waiting); and those who go on self-exile live in such habitation and continue to carry out that which is their proper responsibilities?
So today, dear friend, as you have been given another privilege of life, to take on a new work week, and as by the grace of God , we are inching to the end of this wonderful year, may I challenge you to reconsider your work ethic and priorities in life generally? Some of the implications of this passage are in line with the teachings by Jesus Christ to the effect that those who want to be great must be servants, and that leaders must have a servant disposition in order to be able to lead effectively. This is a call to put away pride and arrogance with which Lucifer has infected humanity, after he himself fell as a result of same, and take on the heart of our Master and Mentor Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself unto a shameful death in the hands of those He created and came to redeem.
We must be reminded that ultimately we do not choose our locations, no matter how much we tried. Experience has shown that insistence on choosing our location, but for the mercy and grace of God often end in disaster. Therefore, take note of this point: your place of service, calling, vocation or profession/occupation, may be obscure, but it is expected to produce important and impactful service! Furthermore, there may be all forms of obstacles and challenges in all directions, as the presence of plants and hedges convey, you are still about the King’s work. And the King who sees everywhere, and has appointed your location and occupation, is there with you. Therefore, the quality of service must not diminish or fail to meet the standard of work befitting of kings. Your work must therefore be done with the utmost diligence; dedication; faithfulness; and commitment to excellence; because your King rewards not according to location, but according to the diligence of those who seek Him and honour Him with their lives, including whatever their hands find to do. And what is more, those plants and hedges (difficulties and hindrances) are part of the all things that work together for your good; and may be God’s way of protecting you from the traps and dangers the enemy of your soul has set in place for you.
Have a blessed, God-centred and victorious week. Further Reading: Matt.18:3-8; John 13:14-17; Phil.2:5-8; 2Thess.2:4; Isaiah 14:12-16.
