Dec 09 2024

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Early in Acts, the disciples needed more people to help them properly minister to others. There had been a complaint that Jewish widows were being overlooked in the distribution of food. This concerned the disciples; but because they were called to give themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word, they didn't have enough time to make sure the widows received food. To solve the problem, they appointed seven others who would ensure that money for food was properly distributed. Today, we can learn from how they prioritized in order to do what the Lord had put on their hearts.

The disciples knew what God expected of them, and they trusted that He would provide the right people to ensure that the money was distributed properly. Today, like the disciples, we are all called to give ourselves continually to prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and we can trust that whatever we do will be supported by prayer. Indeed, even those who the disciples appointed to oversee the distribution of the money would have been able to continually give themselves to prayer.

Today, if we're uncertain about our career path or job, we can know that we already have half of our job description: to pray continually. This means we devote whatever we do to the Lord and complete all our tasks in a way that honors Him. It also means that we should seek clarity about our role in the world. God had appointed the apostles to preach, but they had to seek Him and talk amongst themselves to find a solution to this problem that didn't take away from their time. God provided other men whom He had appointed to oversee the money. One man was not meant to do everything; each person had a pivotal role in the body. When we call out to the Lord for clarity about our role, He will provide it in His time.

Each of us has a role to play, and the most important role that we have is to be prayerful about everything. We can rest knowing that He will show us the next steps in His perfect timing and that He will always give the direction we need.

Dear Lord, I thank you for your care for me. I thank you that you have a place for me, even if I can't see it. I rest knowing that you are good and will show me the next steps in your timing. Help me to become a person who prays continually and who sees you in everything. I want each of my steps to honor you. In Jesus' name, amen.

Dec 08 2024

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. :

In this Proverb, we get a profound reflection on how we should approach our work. We should be diligent and do our work unto the Lord. This verse reminds us that diligence in our work is evidence of holiness in our lives because it shows that we do everything unto the Lord.

It can be easy to disconnect our work from our spiritual lives, especially if we don't like our jobs. In this verse, however, the Lord tells us that we should be careful to do a good job in everything we do. There is no separation of work unto the Lord and work that pays our bills and buys our groceries—all of it belongs to the Lord and brings honor to Him.

This Proverb also suggests that if we are diligent in our work, we will be elevated beyond our current station. This means other people will recognize something peculiar about the way that we work and good will come of that. I don't think this is necessarily a recipe for a promotion, but rather, it reflects the belief that if we do work unto the Lord, we will have opportunities to continue doing it. He will honor our efforts to honor Him.

In other words, even when we are weary with our jobs or tired of our bosses or really desperate for a vacation, we can pray for the Lord to help us live out this Proverbs verse. We can ask Him to help us be diligent in our work even when it seems impossible—and we know that He will answer us because this prayer will be in accordance with His Word.

Dear Lord, I want to honor you with my work. Sometimes that seems completely impossible! But I know that this verse in Proverbs has called us to be diligent in our work and that you will honor our efforts. Help me to honor you by working well and unto you; help me to rest knowing that you see the invisible things I do. In Jesus' name, amen.