Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Psalm 90:17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands . . . 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
TRUST THE LORD TO BLESS YOUR EARTHLY LABOR
A weakness to which many are prone is "burning the candle at both ends." The thinking goes something like: if I don't work late and get in as many overtime hours as I can, then I won't be able to earn a high enough wage to provide for the needs of my family.
But "burning the candle at both ends" can take its toll on a person physically and emotionally. Overworking can lead to such health problems as ulcers, hypertension, heart issues, and even mental breakdowns. Overworking can also negatively impact a person's life by leading one to give short shrift to attending to their all-important spiritual needs. People who work themselves to the bone are inclined to let things like church attendance, receiving the Lord's Supper, Bible study, and family devotions fall by the wayside. They succumb to the temptation of thinking they can't take the time for these things-- even to view them as unnecessary.
From this may the heavenly Father graciously preserve us! May we realize that nothing is more important than hearing and learning His Word. May our hearts be comforted in knowing that as we trustingly put first things first, He will take care of the rest. He'll enable us to pay the bills and feed our families.
Jesus' words settle our anxious hearts and guide us in setting our priorities: "I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear . . . Your heavenly Father knows that you need these things . . . But seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:25, 32-33).
Heavenly Father, our bountiful Provider, we give You heartfelt thanks for the work You have given us. Through our labors You provide for our needs and those who depend on us. May we never lose sight of the fact that whatever we do, we're doing it for You. Help us to trust You to provide for our earthly needs, as we give foremost attention to the needs of our souls. This we pray in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
