Be faithful in the little things…

"He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much!" Luke 16:10

From the book Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 204

Satan leads many to believe that God will overlook their unfaithfulness in the minor affairs of life; but the Lord shows in His dealing with Jacob that He can in no wise sanction or tolerate evil. All who endeavor to excuse or conceal their sins, and permit them to remain upon the books of heaven, unconfessed and unforgiven, will be overcome by Satan. The more exalted their profession, and the more honorable the position which they hold, the more grievous is their course in the sight of God, and the more certain the triumph of the great adversary.

Yet Jacob’s history is an assurance that God will not cast off those who have been betrayed into sin, but who have returned unto Him with true repentance. It was by self-surrender and confiding faith that Jacob gained what he had failed to gain by conflict in his own strength. God thus taught His servant that divine power and grace alone could give him the blessing he craved. Thus it will be with those who live in the last days. As dangers surround them, and despair seizes upon the soul, they must depend solely upon the merits of the atonement. We can do nothing of ourselves. In all our helpless unworthiness we must trust in the merits of the crucified and risen Saviour. None will ever perish while they do this. The long, black catalogue of our delinquencies is before the eye of the Infinite. The register is complete; none of our offenses are forgotten. But He who listened to the cries of His servants of old, will hear the prayer of faith and pardon our transgressions. He has promised, and He will fulfill His word. 

Lord, forgive us, where we fail you in the small "minor matters" of faithfulness. Help us to die to self that you may life, and that Satan would not get the victory!

Review:

• Bible Thought: "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much."
• Blessing: I've failed God so many times by giving in to my own selfish desires or wants, but I praise the Lord for His mercy and long-suffering patience as He teaches me greater trust and self denial.
• Battle: To remember my home is heaven, not here! To deny myself here is to lay up treasures there!