Morning, June 3, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“These were the potters and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah; they lived there with the king for his work.” — 1 Chronicles 4:23

Potters were not the very highest grade of workers, but “the king” needed potters, and therefore they were in royal service, although the material upon which they worked was nothing but clay. We, too, may be engaged in the most menial part of the Lord’s work, but it is a great privilege to do anything for “the king;” and therefore we will work and rest in our calling, hoping that, “when you lie down among the sheepfolds (pots, KJV), you are like the wings of a dove covered with silver, And its pinions with glistening gold.” These were laborers who dwelt among plants and hedges, having rough, rustic hedging and ditching work to do. They may have desired to live in the city, amid its life, society, and refinement, but they kept their appointed places, for they also were doing the king’s work. The place of our habitation is fixed, and we are not to depart from it out of whim and impulse, but seek to serve the Lord in it, by being a blessing to those among whom we reside. These potters and gardeners had royal company, for they dwelt “with the king” and although among hedges and plants, they dwelt with the king there. No lawful place, or gracious occupation, however lowly, can exclude us from communion with our divine Lord. In visiting shacks, crowded lodging-houses, bunkhouses, or jails, we may go with the king. In all works of faith we may count upon Jesus’ fellowship. It is when we are in his work that we may be sure of  his smile. You unknown workers who are occupied for your Lord amid the dirt and wretchedness of the lowest of the low, be of good cheer, for jewels have been found upon dunghills before now, earthen pots have been filled with heavenly treasure, and foul weeds have been transformed into precious flowers. Dwell with the King for his work, and when he writes his chronicles your name shall be recorded.