July 30

Luke 22:28‑29
“Ye are they which have continued with Me in My temptations, and I appoint unto you a kingdom, as My Father hath appointed unto Me” — Luke 22:28, 2928Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; (Luke 22:28‑29).
TO be selected by Christ as workers together with Him was a great honor, and the same privilege is ours today (2 Cor. 6:11We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (2 Corinthians 6:1)). He called, they obeyed, and millions have profited by their service. How different would have been their lives had they planned for themselves instead of heeding His voice! What makes the tragedy of Judas’ defection so awful is that he had all the privileges and opportunities of the rest and he threw them all away because of covetousness and worldly ambition.
To do the will of God is to enjoy life at its very best. Jesus said, “I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me” (John 5:3030I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (John 5:30)). The doing of that will meant the cross with all its agony and shame. But only so could He be perfected as Captain of Salvation (Heb. 2:1010For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:10)). He endured it all for the joy set before Him, and now He sees of the travail of His soul and is satisfied (Heb. 12:22Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2); Isa. 53:1111He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11)). It is given to us not only to believe on Him, but to suffer for His sake (Phil. 1:2929For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (Philippians 1:29)), and to serve with Him for the blessing of a lost world. Then, at His return we shall share His glory.
And there with Thee we shall rehearse the story,
Thy faithful love in desert scenes below;
And walking with Thee in that cloudless glory,
To Thee our endless praise shall ceaseless flow.
Until that day, Lord Jesus, keep us faithful
To Thy blest Word, and not deny Thy Name!
Oh, shield Thine own from every harm and evil,
Content to suffer loss and bear Thy shame!”
—J. W. H. Nichols.