Today’s Devotion
Topic: Establish The Works Of Our Hands
Text: Psalm 90: 14, 17
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. 17 May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. Amen
Exactly the prayer of everyone who desires to make something out of their lives. The Lord God created us with unusual abilities to work with our minds and hands for sustenance. So for us humans, work is really not an option. Proverbs 12: 11 puts it better when it says, “Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.”
From the above, it seems apparent that whatever venture a person undertakes may not qualify to be called work unless it is able to cater for his sustenance. Otherwise it is seen as chasing fantasies, and the person, having no sense. That is why many will do everything to get more than just a few.
Those who are godless do not mind adopting foul means to gather so much for themselves lest someone sees their efforts as a chase after fantasy and calls them “senseless”. They cheat and steal their way to abundance until their deeds catch up with them.
The godly, on the other hand, understand from scripture that genuine and diligent work pleases the Lord. They also discover that it is His will that we labour for what we will eat rather than drown in idleness (2 Thess 3: 10). So they offer themselves to work too.
But is it enough to offer ourselves to work and do so with our own strength just because we know our work pleases the Lord? Certainly not! Remember how Peter and his friends toiled all night and caught nothing (Luke 5:5)? You also remember how they caught abundance after they involved Jesus in their venture?
Yes! So this should help us appreciate that working hard because we know it is the right thing to do is good, but not enough. It must, by all means, include the Lord. He is the wisdom, inspiration and the strength with which we work. He is also the abundance (or success) we seek out of our labour and the exceedingly great reward when work is done.
That is why the Psalmist prayed this particular prayer for all the workers of Israel. He said “may the favour of the Lord rest on us; (Lord, please) ESTABLISH THE WORK OF OUR HANDS FOR US”.
Now gather for us all who desire to succeed in their various endeavours. Yes; talking about those who understand that unless the Lord builds the house, the builder builds in vain. Those who know that Jesus meant it so well when He said in John 15: 5 that, “apart from Me, you can do nothing”. Yes; talking about those who understand that it is “the blessings of the Lord that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it.” Gather these believers around and remind them that it’s time to pray.
Commit your job, career, research, interview, assignment or appointment to the Lord. Ask Him to satisfy you every morning with His unfailing love, and let His favour rest upon you as you go about your duties in reverence and diligence. Also, pray that He establishes the work of your hands so that whatever you establish stands.
Pray this same divine favour for your staff and colleagues too and watch what the Lord will do. He “will open the heavens, the storehouse of His bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none” (Deut 28: 12). Many will see your life, and put their trust in HIM!
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