July 4, 2023 • Life for Leaders
Scripture — Psalm 143:8 (NRSV)
Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Focus
As we begin each day of work, we need to hear once again the good news of God’s faithful love. No matter what happens in the day ahead, God is always with us, always for us, always loving us.
Prelude
Many times in life I have been so busy with work that it’s the very first thing I think of in the morning. Even before I get out of bed, I’m remembering all that I have to do that day, often with anxiety, wondering if I can get it all done. The pressure of busyness tempts me to rush into work, neglecting my morning time with the Lord. After all, I have so much to do. Surely God will understand.
I’m sure God does understand. But I know from experience that when I skip my time with the Lord I may well pay the price. My anxiety remains high throughout the day. I can be short with colleagues. I will do my work, but with drudgery rather than joy.
How different it can be if I begin the day remembering the good news of God’s faithful love for me. Each morning, I need to imitate the prayer of Psalm 143:8, “Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust.” When I’m reminded of God’s love, then I can entrust to God all that I must do on a given day. I can hand over to God my worries, my anxiety, and my stress. I can work hard, but with a sense of lightness that comes from knowing the ever-present love of God.
Pray
Gracious God, you know how I am sometimes. I’m so focused, so preoccupied, so anxious about work that I skip my morning time with you. I know in my head how foolish this is. But my heart keeps saying, “Get to work or you won’t get it all done.”
Forgive me, Lord, for thinking I can do my work on my own, without relying on your grace and guidance. Forgive me for neglecting my relationship with you. Forgive me for trusting more in my own efforts than in your amazing grace.
Dear Lord, help me, I pray, to spend time with you each morning. Help me to be reminded of your steadfast love for me. Help me to have renewed confidence in you so that I’m able to entrust everything to you, including my daily work.
As I trust you, Lord, teach me the way I should go at work. Show me what’s best. Refine my priorities. Grant me your wisdom. Help me to work, not with frantic anxiety, but with the joy that comes from knowing you are God, and you are always with me. Amen.
Ponder Throughout the Day
As you work today, remember that God loves you.
For Further Reflection
Read all of Psalm 143.
You may also wish to read Lamentations 3:22-26.
Banner image by Umit Bulut 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: Why Should God Answer My Prayer?
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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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