June 27, 2023 • Life for Leaders
Scripture — Psalm 138:7-8 (NRSV)
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
and your right hand delivers me.
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Focus
In the Bible, the hand of the Lord often signifies the mighty power and strong authority of God. In the last line of Psalm 138, the writer prays, “Do not forsake the work of your hands.” In this context, the work of God’s hands is the psalm writer. Yes, God is at work in the world, in history, and in institutions. But God is also at work in you. You are God’s work!
Pray
Gracious God, you are King of kings and Lord of lords. You are the Creator of all things, the God exalted above all gods, all nations, and all institutions. I praise you today for your awesome power and authority, for the unparalleled strength of your hand.
Yet, though you are on high, you pay attention to the lowly. You care about people like me. Indeed, you care about me. You are present in every part of my life, including my daily work. For this I thank you!
You are not only present in my life, but active. You stretch out your hand. You deliver me from trouble. You guide me, support me, and empower me. Indeed, you will fulfill your purpose for me because your steadfast love for me endures forever. How I thank you!
Here is an amazing thing, dear Lord. You are at work, not only in the wider world, but also in me. I am the work of your hands. I am clay you are fashioning for your purpose and glory. What a wonder!
Today, as I do my work, help me to remember who I am. I am the work of your hands. I am who I am because you are who you are. And you are full of grace and mercy. Your love for me abides forever. Thank you! Amen.
Ponder Throughout the Day
You are truly a work of God’s hands.
For Further Reflection
Read all of Psalm 138.
You might also read Psalm 139.
Banner image by Sage Friedman 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: When It Comes to Famous People, God Gets It Backward.
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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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