Never Forgotten

​Esther 6:2 ~ “And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.”
 
There are many who find themselves distressed that their works have gone unreported, unseen and forgotten by those whom they have served. Oh, my friends, we must not strive after the applause of men, or to be seen by those who might give us some form of admiration. The LORD warned of such behavior in Matthew 6:1, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” Have you thought that somehow your deeds have remained undisclosed and unnoticed? Let me assure you this day that there is not one thing that you have done in the undertaking of your faithfulness to Christ that has been unwatched or forgotten by the LORD God Almighty. Every deed is recorded in the books that God keeps with Himself (see Revelation 20:12), and especially your belonging to Christ—for that is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
 
As we look to our text for today, it is the continuation of the epic situation of Mordecai, the king’s servant who prevented the assassination of the king (see Esther 2:21-23). As with all matters of the court, a record was kept, put away and forgotten. And there it remained, lost in the archives of the palace, until one day when the king was restless and needed something to read. Esther 6:1 tells us, “On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king.” Time had passed and the situation was history, but the reward had not yet been given to the one who prevented the tragedy against Ahasuerus. Perhaps Mordecai had long forgotten about the event, but it did not matter—the record was read and the deed was brought to light in the presence of the king.
 
Have you labored long in the service of the King of kings? Then rejoice, beloved, for your deeds have never been forgotten. Do not dismay that they might be overlooked by those around you—for your honor will not come from them but from the One whom you serve. We read in Revelation 14:13, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!’” The Apostle Paul said it this way, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
 
Yet how many are there who stop laboring for the LORD because it has gone unnoticed in the world. Truly there must be honor to whom honor is due (see Romans 13:7), but it should never be what is sought by the one who is in the service of the King. Yet those who crave honor, glory and self-promotion will invariably strive after finding some means of gaining recognition. They do as the old colloquial statement says and “toot their own horn.” Yet Proverbs 27:2 states, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” But what if they don’t praise? Then, dear Christian, wait for the LORD, for our Savior has never once forgotten all that you have done in His service.
 
Paul reminded Timothy of this very thing. We read in 1 Timothy 5:24-25, “The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.” Just as the sins of the unrepentant will be evidenced against the sinner, so the good works of those who have loved and served the LORD are conspicuous. Even those that seem to be hidden away from sight, cannot remain so—for God will bring every deed to light and all those who serve Him will receive their commendation (see 1 Corinthians 4:5).
 
Let me encourage you to keep striving in your service to the LORD. It is never in vain. And though the eyes of men may never see the work done by your efforts, know that you are never forgotten by the LORD and He will reward you according to His promise. As the king read the record of the memorable deeds and finally honored Mordecai, so our LORD will read out the record of yours—and He will reward you. So, let us continue working until our Savior returns.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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