Are you trusting God’s promises?
His team had been working on this project for more than a year. They had filed patents for an innovative solution to improve the efficiency of the new plant. The detailed design had just been completed and the project team eagerly anticipated the beginning of construction.
Then the president called him into his office and announced that the project was cancelled due to lack of funds. He was informed to lay off his team and then he had one week to wrap up the project before he would also lose his own job.
Slowly, he returned to his office. Turning toward the window, he took a deep breath and reflected on his leadership of this project. As he reflected, he knew his hands, heart and lips were clean before God, his team and the leadership of the company.
Following his usual practice of seeking God’s wisdom before making any decisions, he cried out to Him. Knowing his natural inclination to bad mouth his employer, he prayed that God would keep his hands, his heart and his lips clean in the coming week. With a heavy heart for how this news would impact his team members, he prayed for each team member by name as well as the president and leadership of the company.
In the coming months, he experienced the soul-ravaging misunderstanding of friends who blamed his leadership for causing the project to be cancelled. Then came the joy-crushing disappointment as a former co-worker claimed a prestigious award for building a plant based on his teams’ design. Through it all the Lord remained with him! The Power of the Most High continued to overshadow his life! He remained God’s child.
As he packed his family to pursue work in another town, his pastor asked him how he was doing. He replied with joy, “Whether I am leading a project team, laying off people or unemployed—God is with me. I am the Lord’s servant and God’s word to me will be fulfilled.”
Mary’s story
Mary anticipated celebrating her upcoming marriage and starting a family in Nazareth. Her hands, heart and lips were pure before God. However, one day her wedding plans went out the window and her life was turned upside-down.
An angel appeared to her and revealed that she would become pregnant before the wedding. Instead of a child who would carry on the family name, she would bear a son who would be the King of the house of David, a son who would be crucified but live forever, the Son of God who would save people from their sins.
Mary chose to believe the angel’s promise that “no word from God will ever fail” (Luke 1:37). In faith, she replied, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). Because Mary chose to respond with grace, God through Mary brought hope into our world. Since Mary chose to cling to the promises of God, God through Mary brought the promise of Jesus, into the world.
In the following years, Mary would encounter the soul-ravaging misunderstanding of friends and the joy-crushing evil of Herod causing her to flee in the dark of night to Egypt. Yet, she remained highly favored by God. The Lord remained with her. The Power of the Most High continued to overshadow her. She remained a child of God.
What season are you in?
When something happens in your life which you don’t anticipate, then look at your hands, heart and lips. Are they pure before God? When you have heeded godly advice and used the skills and talents God has blessed you with—to the best of your ability—then standing righteous before His throne you can confidently proclaim “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled.”
Your circumstances do not alter God’s promises or the fact that you are His child.
As you move forward trusting in God’s grace, He brings his grace and life-giving influence to those around you.
If you’re celebrating successes today, Jesus says to you today that your successes will not have the last word. Celebrate and let others celebrate with you. However, remember that God’s love defines you.
If your heart is broken or you’re wading through deep waters of disappointment, Jesus says your tears will not have the last word. Weep and let others cry with you. However, remember God’s love defines you.
Photo source: istock
 | James Bruyn is a bi-vocational visionary leader, writer and speaker who enjoys helping individuals integrate their faith in God with their daily life. He leads a ministry to Christians in the marketplace in Calgary, provides leadership coaching, and consults for the rail industry. He writes a weekly devotional and also has a devotional book, 31 Days with God at Work (Marketplace 2018). Learn More » |
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