This is hymn 32 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
Hymn 32: TO THE WORK! TO THE WORK! WE ARE SERVANTS OF GOD
1. To the work! to the work!
we are servants of God,
Let us follow the path that our
Master has trod;
With the balm of His counsel
our strength to renew,
Let us do with our might what
our hands find to do.
Toiling on, toiling on,
Toiling on, toiling on,
Let us hope, let us watch,
And labour till the Master comes.
2. To the work! to the work!
let the hungry be fed,
To the fountain of life let
the weary be led!
In the cross and its banner
our glory shall be,
While we herald the tidings,
“Salvation is free!”
3. To the work! to the work!
there is labour for all, For the kingdom of darkness
and error shall fall;
And the name of Jehovah exalted shall be,
In the loud-swelling chorus,
“Salvation is free!”
4. To the work! to the work!
in the strength of the Lord,
And a robe and a crown shall
our labour reward,
When the home of the faithful
our dwelling shall be,
And we shout with the ransomed,
“Salvation is free!”
TO THE WORK! TO THE WORK! WE ARE SERVANTS OF GOD HYMN COMMENTARY
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, as we meditate on this energetic hymn, “To The Work!”, we are not simply singing; we are receiving a divine summons. This is a battle cry and a marching order for every believer, reminding us that our faith is not passive. We are saved to serve, and this hymn ignites a holy urgency to labor for the Kingdom until our Master returns.
Why We Sing This Hymn
We sing this hymn to shake off spiritual slumber and to align our hearts with God’s mission. It is a potent antidote to complacency, a reminder that the field is the world, and the harvest is plentiful.
1. It is a Hymn of Identity and Purpose (Verse 1)
The hymn begins with a powerful declaration of our identity: “we are servants of God.” In a world that chases after titles and status, we are called to the noble purpose of servanthood. Our model is Christ Himself, who “followed the path that our Master has trod” (John 13:15). We do not serve in our own strength but are renewed by “the balm of His counsel”—the wisdom and comfort of the Holy Spirit. The refrain, “Let us do with our might what our hands find to do,” is a call to immediate, wholehearted action (Ecclesiastes 9:10). We are to be a people “Toiling on… and [laboring] till the Master comes.”
2. It is a Hymn of Compassionate Mission (Verse 2)
True service is directed outward. “Let the hungry be fed” speaks to both physical and spiritual hunger. “Let the weary be led” to the “fountain of life” is our call to guide a thirsty world to Jesus, the only source of living water (John 4:14). Our motivation is not personal glory but the glory of the cross. As we herald the tidings that “Salvation is free!” we participate in the Great Commission, sharing the best news the world will ever hear.
3. It is a Hymn of Victorious Warfare (Verse 3)
This verse expands our vision. The “work” is not just individual acts of kindness but a collective spiritual campaign against the “kingdom of darkness and error.” We labor with the unshakable confidence that this kingdom “shall fall!” Our labor in prayer, evangelism, and discipleship is part of a victorious battle already won by Christ. The ultimate goal is that “the name of Jehovah exalted shall be” in that final, triumphant chorus.
4. It is a Hymn of Sure Reward (Verse 4)
We do not labor in vain. We serve “in the strength of the Lord,” acknowledging that without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). But we also look forward with hope to the “robe and a crown” that our faithful Lord has promised to all who love His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8). The “home of the faithful”—Heaven itself—is our eternal reward, making every earthly effort worthwhile.
A Word for Your Spirit Today
Dear saint, perhaps you have felt weary in well-doing. Maybe the tasks before you seem mundane or the spiritual opposition feels strong. Let this hymn recharge your spirit today! See yourself not as a bystander but as a commissioned servant in the army of the Lord.
What “work” has your hand found to do? It may be in your home, your workplace, or your local church. It may be a word of encouragement, an act of service, or a bold proclamation of the gospel. Do it with all your might, fueled by the strength of the Lord.
Remember, the fields are white unto harvest. There is “labour for all.” No talent is too small, no act of service insignificant when done for the King. Let us go out today with this song on our lips and this mission in our hearts, toiling, watching, and laboring with joy, for our Master is coming soon!
May the Lord fill you with fresh strength and holy zeal for His work today.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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