Servant Worms: Loved and Redeemed

Servant Worms: Loved and Redeemed

But I am a worm and not a man, a reproach of men and despised by the people. – Psalms 22:6

Isaiah 41:14 Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob, don’t be afraid, people of Israel, for I will help you. I am the LORD, your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel.’

Isaiah 44:21 Remember O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I, the LORD, made you, and I will not forget you.

The Joy and Honor of Being a Servant

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served. But all other pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness before service, which is rendered in a spirit of joy.” This profound statement reminds us that true service, when given with joy, is one of the highest callings a person can pursue. Serving the King of Kings is a privilege beyond measure and an utmost honor.  

The Honor of Being a Servant

Being a servant is far from shameful or degrading. In fact, the greater the master, the greater the honor of serving. The Father calls His children into His service, and those who respond do so willingly and joyfully. Throughout Scripture, many leaders and prophets are referred to as the “Servants of God.” These individuals, including Moses (Numbers 12:7), David (2 Samuel 3:18), Paul (Romans 1:1), James (James 1:1), the prophets (Jeremiah 7:25), and the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ (Isaiah 42:1), embraced their roles as servants with eagerness and devotion.

From Worms to Servants

In stark contrast to the honor of servanthood, worms are often regarded as the lowest of the low. Many worms, in the natural world, are even lower than dirt, being under it. They are weak, insignificant, and easily overlooked. Similarly, as fallen people living in a fallen world, we are, in ourselves, no better than worms. Yet, through the Father’s grace and calling, even the humblest worm can be transformed into a servant of the King.

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Father’s greatest servant, was prophesied to be likened to a worm. Psalms 22:6: “But I am a worm and not a man, a reproach of men and despised by the people.” This imagery underscores the humility and sacrifice of Christ, who took on the lowest position to fulfill the Father’s will and redeem humanity.

Always on the Father’s Heart

As servants of the King, we are never forgotten. The Father keeps us close to His heart and is actively involved in shaping the details of His plan for our lives. To become one of His servants, there is one essential prerequisite: the forgiveness of our sins. This forgiveness is made possible through the Lord Jesus Christ. When we accept Him as our Savior, our sins are forgiven, and we receive a clean slate. Isaiah 44:22: “I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.”

With this fresh start, we can answer the Father’s call to serve with an undivided heart, prepared to follow His leading.

Walking in Service

Serving the Father requires ongoing responsiveness to His guidance and submission to His plan. It is a journey of faith and obedience. However, as fallen beings, we will inevitably stumble and fail. When this happens, we are not cast aside. Instead, we are invited to return to the Father’s provision for our sins. 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Through His forgiveness, we are purified, renewed, and provided with a new opportunity to carry on our duties.

REFLECT & PRAY

Billy Sunday once said, “Hell is the highest reward that the devil can offer you for being a servant of his.” In contrast, the reward of serving the King of Kings is eternal and immeasurable. Though we may feel as insignificant as worms, we are redeemed worms, loved, forgiven, and called to serve with joy and purpose.

Father, though I am a mere worm, I am Your worm, redeemed, forgiven, and called to serve. Strengthen me to serve You with a whole heart and joyful spirit.

INSIGHT

From Servants to Friends

Jesus made an astonishing statement. We are no longer simply His servants; we are His friends. John 15:15: “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”

As children of the King, we have a wonderful new relationship with Him. The Father will never forget us. He always remembers us and acts in our best interest. The real danger lies not in His forgetfulness, but in ours.

The Call to Remember

When we desire to serve the Father, it’s natural to think we must earn that privilege by putting in effort and working hard. Yet, in the Father’s kingdom, this could not be further from the truth. The Father asks only one thing of us: to remember.

The Hebrew word for “remember” is zakar, which means “to recall, reflect, or be mindful of something in a way that influences present thoughts and actions.” The prophet Zechariah’s name, derived from this word, literally means “The Lord remembers.” This act of remembering is not passive; it is active and transformative.

To remember Zion, for example, is to remain loyal to the Father’s special city and to value all it represents. Psalms 137:6: “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!” For people, remembering often involves thinking about the past. However, recalling the past is a double-edged sword. It can bring relief or regret. Remembering how the Father has treated us helps us feel grateful and strengthens our commitment.

God’s Remembrance: A Call to Action

The Father, being all-knowing, never forgets. When Scripture speaks of God “remembering,” it signifies His active attention and preparation to intervene. Genesis 8:1: “God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the cattle that were with him in the ark; and God caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the water subsided.”

This divine remembrance is not a mere recollection but a turning of His focus toward His people, often resulting in deliverance, provision, or blessing. When the Father calls us to serve, He desires that our response flow from a heart of gratitude for all He has done.

Redemption: The Father’s Gift

Our motivation to serve the Father is not rooted in obligation but in love. We recognize the immeasurable gifts He has given us and feel a deep desire to give back. Yet, the beauty of the Father’s gifts is that they cost us nothing. There is no debt to repay because He has already paid it in full.

This is the essence of redemption. Through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, the price for our sins was paid, and eternal forgiveness was secured. Paul writes Colossians 2:13-14: “He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”

We were powerless to save ourselves, but the Father’s grace and mercy provided a way. Redemption is His free gift to all who receive it.

The Power of Remembering

Remembering the Father’s works and promises has profound effects on our spirits, minds, and hearts. It encourages us, strengthens our faith, and deepens our devotion. Psalms 119:52: “I have remembered Your ordinances from of old, O LORD, And comfort myself.” Reflecting on His name inspires prayerful meditation. Psalms 119:55: “O LORD, I remember Your name in the night, And keep Your law.”

Moreover, remembering the greatness of the Father provides courage in the face of fear. Nehemiah 4:14: “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.”

As A.W. Tozer beautifully expressed, “The individual who has the Father as their treasure has all things in One. Many ordinary treasures may be denied him, or if he is allowed to have them, their enjoyment will be so tempered that they will never be necessary to his happiness. Having the Source of all things, he has in One all satisfaction, all pleasure, all delight.”

The Eternal Plan of Redemption

Sin is a serious matter, and the Father never takes it lightly. Before the foundation of the world, He prepared a plan of redemption to deal with sin and offer forgiveness. This plan was fulfilled through the death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. His sacrifice was the ultimate expression of love and grace, providing a way for humanity to be reconciled to God.

Even if we feel small and unimportant, God sees us as His beloved servants. He created us, and through His love, He has saved us. He does not forget us or leave us in a low state. With His mercy, He forgives our sins and calls us back to Him, reminding us that He has already paid the price for our freedom.

As “servant worms,” we are not defined by our weaknesses but by the love and redemption from our Creator. In our humility, we find His strength. In our lowliness, we discover His grace. Let us return to Him, knowing that He has made us His own.

A Choice to Serve

Joshua 24:15: “But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve . . .. But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.”

In this decisive moment, Joshua presented Israel with a choice: to serve the one true God or to follow other gods. This choice was unprecedented in the Old Testament, as God was typically the one who chose. Now, Israel was called to declare its loyalty and reject all other allegiances. As David Howard explains, “Joshua laid out for Israel the choice, but he did not threaten them or try to coerce them.”

The same choice is yours. Will we remember the Father’s love, grace, and redemption and respond with hearts full of gratitude?

Whose servant are you?

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© Dr. H 2025