May 27, 2021 • Life for Leaders
Scripture Reading: Psalm 64:10 (NRSV)
Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD
and take refuge in him.
Let all the upright in heart glory.
Focus
Sometimes it seems as if our work is too much. It comes pouring down on us like deluge. In such times we need the Lord. The good news is that God makes himself available to us. He is our refuge and we are welcome to take shelter in him.
Prayer
Refuge! Even the sound of that word calms my heart, Gracious God. Refuge! I breathe deeply and say it again. Refuge.
O Lord, at times it all seems like too much. It might be the pile of demands placed upon me . . . or that I place upon myself. Or it could be the harsh criticisms of others. Or maybe my exhaustion and discouragement.
No matter what is raining down on me, I need to find refuge in you, to hide in your shade, to be in a place of safety and rest. You are that place, Lord. You are my refuge.
When I’m hassled and harried, Lord, help me to turn to you. When I feel attacked or weighed down, may I seek shelter in you. When I wonder if I can still go on, may I seek the refuge you alone can give.
Hide me, Lord. Protect me. Shelter me!
Thank you for being my refuge. How good you are to me! Amen.
Ponder Throughout the Day
When work feels unbearable, take refuge in God.
For Further Reflection
You may wish to read all of Psalm 64.
Psalm 46 is also a beloved poem about God as our refuge. The opening phrase, “God is our refuge and strength” uses the Hebrew noun which is based on the same root as the verb “take refuge” in Psalm 64:10.
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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. A prayer on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: 52 Workday Prayers: Psalm 34 – When You Feel Afraid of Failure
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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