Proverbs is a tremendous book of wisdom with instructions from A to Z. Proverbs 27 is one chapter that teaches us more than four years of college could. In verse 18 we see something about waiting on the master.
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
The word wait is not used here in the sense of expectancy. We always need to believe in God in that respect because he does come through. Think of it this way. Have you ever worked as a waiter or waitress in a restaurant? Many of you have? It’s a tough job. You have to be diligent to wait on the tables. You must make sure what is ordered is received and that it’s all right. We’ve all experienced excellent waiters or waitresses, but we’ve all experienced the one who just doesn’t care too. It requires concentration, commitment, and movement to be a good one. It takes skill, and some just don’t do it well.
This is how Proverbs is describing us with our Master. We wait—we serve. We’re children and servants of the Lord. We are to wait on the Master. Verse 18 comes with a promise of blessing. If we wait on the Master and serve in the capacity he’s placed us in his will, we’ll fulfill our responsibilities in being what God wants. We all have different talents and jobs. How well are you waiting on your Master?
Our duty is spoken of often. We are no longer to serve the devil. We should not dread serving the Lord because it truly is a blessing. God’s kingdom requires our focus on our duties. How we live and fulfill them in this world is what brings us freedom and liberty. It’s a joy to please the Lord. Romans 12:1-2 says we have a reasonable service. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” I’m thankful Jesus is my Savior, but I’m also glad he’s the Master. Many don’t want to serve the Lord but they want to go to heaven. It doesn’t work that way. He is Jesus Christ the Lord. The book of Romans says “that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” He is Savior of our sins and Lord of our lives.
God has made it profitable for us. He’s to be our only Master. We have a job in this world, but we can’t divide our service. Paul said that whatsoever we do, we are to do it unto the Lord. Our devotion can’t be divided. We must serve the Lord regardless of the “whatever’s.” Bars didn’t stop Paul. He served the Lord as strongly inside jail as he did out.
The devil only pretends to be master. His power is limited, and what power he has over us we give him when we follow him. God has given us power to say no to Satan. In doing so, we put our skills to work for the Lord. He puts our life to good use. The devil provides nothing but trouble. We have a Master in heaven that is not defeated. He’s still on the throne. He gives us strength to do his will.
To serve him is a privilege. He honors us. Often we think of what will come in the future for us, that “one day” but it’s not so bad now. We’re part of God’s kingdom now. The duties may get tough at times. We may feel we can’t do it, but the Master makes a way for us to be faithful. He blesses us. He deserves more from us. He deserves our best. If anyone deserves to be waited on, Jesus does. Never get to the point of saying you’re doing a good job. That’s when you fall flat.
The woman at the house of Simon washed Jesus’ feet and dried them with her hair. Simon didn’t like it. Jesus told Simon he needed to have a talk with him about the matter. Do you need to have a talk with the Lord? When verse 18 talks about the fig tree, we see how the servant waits on the master. He knows he’ll give account of the tree at harvest. We’ll all give account of ourselves. The book of Ecclesiastes gives the conclusion of the entire matter: “fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
Waiting on the Lord is a serious matter to be done wholeheartedly. What if the Lord spent as much time trying to get out of doing for us as we do for him? There is no discharge in this army until the season is over, until the summer is past and harvest comes. While there is time to serve, let’s do it. Blessed are the servants whom the Master finds so doing.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 