July 11, 2023 • Life for Leaders
Scripture — Psalm 148:11-13 (NRSV)
Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike,
old and young together!
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
Focus
Psalm 148 calls upon all people – including rulers, young men, women, older people and younger people together – to praise the LORD. While we’re at work, we can pause for moments of prayer in which we praise God. But we can also let our work become praise as we do everything “for the praise of God’s glory” (Ephesians 1:12).
Prelude
Many Christians find it helpful to pause throughout the workday for times of prayer. In these moments, we can surely ask for God’s help with whatever we’re working on. But we can also follow the exhortation of Psalm 148 and offer praise to God.
To be sure, praising God with our words is an essential part of the Christian life. But we can praise God also through our actions at work. Ephesians 1:12 reveals that we exist “for the praise of [God’s] glory.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 urges us to “glorify God in [our] body.” This means that we can praise God through what we do as well as what we say. Thus, what we do in our daily work can be an expression of worship and praise.
Pray
Gracious God, may my work give you praise. In what I do and how I do it, may you be glorified. In my values and virtues, may you be honored. In how I treat my colleagues and customers may you take delight.
Help me, dear Lord, to work in such a way that others see your grace at work in me. May they be drawn to praise you for all you are doing in and through me.
May those in authority in my workplace recognize your supreme authority. May they seek to praise you in word and deed.
May all of us be drawn together in worship, men and women, young and older. May we catch a glimpse of your glory as we offer verbal and active praise to you. Amen.
Ponder Throughout the Day
Praise God through your work today.
For Further Reflection
Read all of Psalm 148.
You may also wish to read Ephesians 1.
Banner image by Avi Richards on Unsplash.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project’s online commentary. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Psalm 146.
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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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