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Unexpected Recompense, December 17
Whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of
the Lord.
Ephesians 6:8
.
In this life our work for God often seems to be almost fruitless. Our
efforts to do good may be earnest and persevering, yet we may not be
permitted to witness their results. To us the effort may seem to be lost.
But the Saviour assures us that our work is noted in heaven, and that the
recompense cannot fail.
The poor widow who cast her two mites into the Lord’s treasury little
knew what she was doing. Her example of self-sacrifice has acted and
reacted upon thousands of hearts in every land and in every age. It has
brought to the treasury of God gifts from the high and the low, the rich and
the poor. It has helped to sustain missions, to establish hospitals, to feed
the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, and preach the gospel to the
poor. Multitudes have been blessed through her unselfish deed. And the
outworking of all these lines of influence she, in the day of God, will be
permitted to see. So with Mary’s precious gift to the Saviour. How many
have been inspired to loving service by the memory of that broken alabaster
box! And how she will rejoice as she beholds all this!
“Verily I say unto you,” Christ declared, “Wheresoever this gospel
shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done
shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.” Looking into the future, the
Saviour spoke with certainty concerning His gospel. It was to be preached
throughout the world. And as far as the gospel extended, Mary’s gift would
shed its fragrance, and hearts would be blessed through her unstudied act.
Kingdoms would rise and fall; the names of monarchs and conquerors
would be forgotten; but this woman’s deed would be immortalized upon the
pages of sacred history. Until time should be no more, that broken alabaster
box would tell the story of the abundant love of God for a fallen race.
Every impulse of the Holy Spirit leading men to goodness and to God is
noted in the books of heaven, and in the day of God everyone who has given
himself as an instrument for the Holy Spirit’s working will be permitted to
behold what his life has wrought.
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