Persis: Labourer in the Lord’s vineyard

There are people in the church who labour for the Lord in diverse ways. We understand that not all members of the church can become custodians, cleaners, handymen among many other things. Thus, when people commit their time to ensuring that the church of God runs smoothly, it is important to acknowledge their effort as a means to encourage them. The churches in Rome had many such believers who were so zealous for the things of God and worked hard in the church. The apostle Paul did not overlook these people when he wrote to the Roman churches. He appreciated all the people in the church but there were some who were worthy of commendation for their commitment and contributions. One of such is Persis, a believer in Rome.

Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. (Romans 16:12b)

Like many of the other people on Paul’s list of acknowledgement, Persis was mentioned briefly but we know in this brief mention that she was engaged in the work of God. In Romans chapter 16:12b, Paul wrote, “Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.” Persis is not a Jewish name and neither is it a Roman name. Persis has a Persian Root, i.e. a Persian. We can deduce that, like many foreigners in Rome, Persis was obviously brought to Rome by Roman authority to serve as a slave. In Rome, the slaves from the different nations faced the strong hand of their Roman oppressors. Unlike the sisters Tryphena and Tryphosa, Persis had been through “hard life”. She had to work tirelessly to meet the demands of her master. As Persis and many other former slaves found hope in Christ, they were treated as brothers and sisters in the church not as slaves. In the church, Persis who had probably been brought up in a different religious culture in Persia still committed to the things of God. She worked so hard that it got to the attention of Apostle Paul.

Persis might have worked silently without any intention of receiving a mention from the apostle. She committed to making sure that as she had diligently served her human masters, she served the Lord with the same zeal. Persis served so much that Paul noted that she had “worked very hard in the Lord”. The emphasis on “worked very hard” or “laboured much” (KJV) shows the extent of the work put in by Persis. Paul refers to Persis as “my dear friend” or “the beloved” (KJV) indicating that although Paul himself as at the time he wrote the letter had not been to Rome, he still considers Persis as an amazing sister in Christ. Remember, Persis had gone through a lot in her stay in Rome but that did not affect her relationship with the Lord. As Persis continued to work silently in the house of God, she might have been surprised that her labour for the Lord had been testified to the great evangelist Paul who was 100s of miles away from Rome. Paul had documented her zeal and had acknowledged her publicly. Centuries later, we are still reading about Persis and how her labour in the Lord’s vineyard was worth mentioning.

The church universal has many members with similar backgrounds as Persis. These are men and women who have relocated from their known culture and faith to another land. These people have been introduced to a new way of life and have come to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Just like Tryphena and Tryphosa, “Persis” needs committed and concentrated discipleship training. People with the same background such as Persis must be thoroughly prepared for kingdom growth and development. They might be dedicated and committed to church work but that should not be a yardstick for spiritual growth. The church should be intentional to make room for practical and concentrated discipleship training to bring the best out of every Persis.

Hannah’s prayer

If you have ever wanted something so bad and you know someone who can give that to you, the first reaction would be to go and plead with the person who has possession of it to give it to you. For example, in our study of Rachel, we realized that she so much needed a child that when Rueben brought mandrakes (known for fertility power), Rachel willingly allowed her sister Leah to have Jacob for the night in exchange for the fertility plant. People are willing to go the extra mile to get what they really want. If you do not know the pain of such people,  their actions might look “stupid” to you. Until you get to that position of need, you might not desire to go an extra mile. Our study of the wives of Elkanah revealed that Hannah was mocked by her rival Peninnah because Hannah was childless. If there was one thing Hannah desired and would go the extra mile for, it was to have a child. Hannah was bruised emotionally and no amount of love from Elkanah could replace the pain she felt.

In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” (1 Samuel 1:10‭-‬11)

Such deep anguish might have reflected on her demeanor. In 1 Samuel 1:8, we noticed that even her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” Elkanah truly loved Hannah and cared for her but what Hannah really needed was a child. Her rival kept provoking her until Hannah wept uncontrollably. “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” (1 Samuel 1:10‭-‬11). 

All Hannah wanted was a child but in her anguish she prayed that if God gives her the son, she would return that son to the Lord. This kind of vow could only come from a woman with a bigger need. Hannah’s heart was not just to get the son and use him to reply to her rival’s taunts. Hannah’s request was to have a son who will be dedicated to God. She identified her need for a child and she was also aware that the word of God was rare during those times. If she gets a son, then that son could be God’s instrument to communicate to the people. In other words,  Hannah is satisfied and the work of God is done. Hannah might have discerned that if God’s work needs to be done, then God should give her a son to do that work. This son will satisfy Hannah’s heart desire and also accomplish the work of God.

Hannah’s prayer was so intense that the priest mistook her for a drunk woman. “As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” (1 Samuel 1:12‭-‬14). Hannah’s response to Eli the priest was this: “Not so, my Lord, I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” (1 Samuel 1:15‭-‬16). Upon hearing this, Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” (1 Samuel 1:17). Hannah  said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.” (1 Samuel 1:18).

After pouring her heart to the Lord, Hannah’s demeanor changed. She found something to eat and her face bloomed. Hannah knew that God had heard her heartfelt prayer. As we go through Hannah’s life, one thing stands out. She knew that only God could satisfy her need for a child. Unlike the women before her who looked for alternatives, Hannah went to the Lord in prayer. She did not complain about her situation and how that has affected her life. She told God that I need a son and You need a prophet, therefore give me a son who will be Your prophet. Hannah committed to ensure that the son is dedicated to the Lord. God looked at her, this was a different woman. She knew the right buttons to touch to get God to move in her favour. She was not selfish but ready to give the only son back to God. 

Whenever we pray for our greatest need, we should consider how the answer to our prayer would fit in God’s bigger story. How would my prayer request advance the kingdom of heaven? Would the answer to my prayer fulfill a kingdom need? What commitment am I ready to make to ensure that the answer to my prayer becomes an answer to the nations? 

Hannah needed a son, God needed a dedicated servant. They all had needs. Hannah’s approach to this was; “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

Ruth: Obedience is a key to breakthrough

Most people have a deep quest to have their way in matters concerning their lives. It seems ridiculous to some people to have others tell them what to do. Our quest for “What we want” in comparison with “What God wants for us” is the main reason people prefer not to serve God. We are in a generation of ME, MYSELF and I. We crave for things that will satisfy us and give us a sense of fulfillment. We barely consider how our cravings fit into God’s bigger plan for our lives. Some people see God as a Headmaster with a very big heart for discipline. They barely see the holy, merciful, gracious, just, righteous and sovereign God. Obedience is a key to breakthrough. Even mundane societies thrive on the obedience of its citizens. In 1 Samuel 15:22b, we are told that “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” As much as we love ourselves, our desires in life must be subjected to the word of God. If what we want goes contrary to God’s word,  then obedience to God is better than our desires.

Ruth had left everything in Moab and relocated to Bethlehem. To find food for sustenance, Ruth went to pick leftover grains and found favour before Boaz. All this while   Ruth’s dedication to Naomi had not changed. Naomi knew that Ruth deserved a good home, and a husband to take care of her. Naomi had a plan to put the needs of Ruth above her own needs. Ruth 3:1-4 records the following: “One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.”

“I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. (Ruth 3:5)

Naomi’s plan would have been quite overwhelming in today’s contemporary society. Ruth did not complain about the details. She listened carefully and her response to Naomi showed her willingness to commit to the plan. Ruth told Naomi, “I will do whatever you say” (Ruth 3:5). As a sign of her obedience, “she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do” (Ruth 3:6). Ruth showed her obedience with her actions. She did not wait for days, weeks or even a month to decide what to do. The next action of Ruth after the conversation with Naomi, took place in Boaz’ threshing floor. Ruth was committed, she had the opportunity and she took it in obedience.

Boaz was startled to find a woman lying at his feet. “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.” (Ruth 3:9). Boaz was amazed by Ruth’s gesture. In response, he said:
“The Lord bless you, my daughter. This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.” (Ruth 3:10‭-‬13).

Before Ruth returned to her mother-in-law in the morning, she knew that the matter would be settled by the end of day. She would either be the wife of the closely related guardian-redeemer or the wife of Boaz. Ruth’s obedience to Naomi was the key to her marriage. If she disobeyed, she would have missed the opportunity. 

God has set before us many open doors. Our obedience to Him is the key to unlocking those doors. The door of breakthrough does not open until we break through with prayers, obedience, perseverance, dedication, and endurance. Ruth’s obedience was the access point to her marriage. Your obedience might be the only way to get what you want. What is God saying to you?