June 14, 2023 • Life for Leaders
Scripture — Psalm 129:5-7 (NRSV)
May all who hate Zion
be put to shame and turned backward.
Let them be like the grass on the housetops
that withers before it grows up,
with which reapers do not fill their hands
or binders of sheaves their arms.
Focus
In our work, we don’t want to be like grass growing on housetops, which dies quickly because it has so little soil for its roots. Rather, we want our work to be productive, making a positive difference in the world.
Prelude
Psalm 129 was written in response to the enemies of Israel who, as Israel might say, “attacked me from my youth” (129:1). The psalm writer prayers that those who “hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward” (129:5). Then he adds, “Let them be like the grass on the housetops that withers before it grows up, with which reapers do not fill their hands or binders of sheaves their arms” (129:6-7). This metaphor reflects the fact that roofs in ancient Israel were built in ways that allowed for grass to grow on them, but not to flourish because there wasn’t enough soil. The psalm writer wants those who “hate Zion” to be fruitless in their efforts.
Pray
Gracious God, today I’m inspired by Psalm 129 to pray that my work is not fruitless. I do not want to be like grass that springs up, only to wither and die off quickly. Rather, I want my work to be fruitful, lasting, and beautiful.
Help me, I pray, to work in ways that are wise and productive. But, even more than this, as I work may my roots grow down deep into the soil of your truth, love, and justice. May you bless my work so that it might be useful and so that you might be glorified.
Today I offer my work to you as worship. I also offer myself—that I might be, not like withering grass, but like a tree with roots that grow down deep into you. Amen.
Ponder Throughout the Day
Your work will be fruitful and lasting when your roots grow deep into God.
For Further Reflection
Read all of Psalm 129.
You may also wish to read Psalm 1.
Banner image by Annie Spratt on Unsplash.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the High Calling archive, hosted by the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Grass on a Rooftop.
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Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a Senior Strategist for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where he focuses on the spiritual development and thriving of leaders. He is the principal writer of the daily devotional, Life for Leaders, and the founder of the De Pree Center’s Flourishing in the Third Third of Life Initiative. Previously, Mark was the Executive Director of the De Pree Center, the lead pastor of a church in Southern California, and the Senior Director of Laity Lodge in Texas. He has written eight books, dozens of articles, and over 2,500 devotions that help people discover the difference God makes in their daily life and leadership. With a Ph.D. in New Testament from Harvard, Mark teaches at Fuller Seminary, most recently in his D.Min. cohort on “Faith, Work, Economics, and Vocation.” Mark is married to Linda, a marriage and family counselor, spiritual director, and executive coach. Their two grown children are educators on the high school and college level.
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