God Knows and Remembers

Who was the person most responsible for the Allies’ victory in World War II? Winston Churchill? Perhaps a military leader like Dwight Eisenhower? Eisenhower himself shocked author Stephen Ambrose by declaring that Andrew Higgins was “the man who won [World War II] for us.” Ambrose was “astonished,” for he knew nothing about Higgins.

What was his contribution? He had developed the “Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel” or the “Higgins Boat.” Eisenhower told Ambrose that if Higgins had not built those boats, “we never could have gone in over an open beach [on D-Day]. The whole strategy of the war would have been changed.” Hitler knew that these boats were important and called Higgins the “American Noah.”

People like Higgins may not receive headlines, but their contributions often are even more important than those of people who did gain fame.

Ebed-melech was such a man. Powerful people wanted to silence Jeremiah. But Ebed-melech was more concerned with helping the prophet than advancing his career or doing what was safe. He demonstrated the attitude of a servant, that “if anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).

Today, ask God to help you have the attitude of a servant. Be more concerned with serving Him than with receiving recognition. Seek first His Kingdom, and do what is right, regardless of what other people say. Serve Him faithfully in every task. Remember that God knows what you do. He will give you something more valuable than the praise of men: He will give you His blessings and favor.