INTRODUCTION

Jacob made an agreement with Laban to serve in exchange for Rachel’s hand in marriage. His time of service was filled with difficulties. Not only was the service itself hard work, but his service was marked with change and troubles. No doubt Jacob could have bemoaned these difficulties, but instead the Bible says seven years of service "seemed unto him but a few days." Why could Jacob give such a testimony when we know that those seven years were years filled with hard labour? The Bible tells us when it says, "for the love he had to her." Much like Jacob, Christians have a job to do. We are serving the Lord Jesus Christ. At times this service may be filled with difficulties, but a genuine love for the Saviour will make our service seem like "but a few days."

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Paul suffered many things because of his service to God (2 Corinthians 11:23-27 [23] Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. [24] Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. [25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; [26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; [27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
  See All...). His love for the Lord caused him to look on his suffering as a "light affliction, which is but for a moment" (2 Corinthians 4:17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
  See All...). Oh, that we had that kind of love (Acts 21:13Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
  See All...).
• Sometimes our service may be difficult, but our love for the Lord should keep His commandments from being grievous (1 John 5:3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
  See All...). Are His commandments grievous to you?
• Do you often feel like your service to God is difficult? Do you find yourself complaining about the sacrifices you have made for the Lord? Why do you think this is?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to help you serve Him by love.
• Ask the Lord to give you a love for others.

HYMN

Love Lifted Me

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