1 Kings 1-2; Psalms 37, 71, 94: With today’s reading came a rush of emotions. The month of May over the last 5 years has come with some serious life changing events. We resigned from Highview in the month of May breaking my heart. I was fearful with no place to go and leaving the pastorate for the time. We were battered and bruised, but God was so gracious and gave us what we needed at the time. The job Les eventually accepted was in the business world working with a company that wanted to help people see how to live their faith while being a christian businessman or woman. The work was new and different, but Les was able to build with the help of many good friends and supporters an organization to meet the needs of many business people. That was until May a couple of years ago when the owner of the company called to say they were taking the company in a different direction and money used to pay his salary was no longer there. Though he had signed a contract that would have given us severance he informed us that week’s check was the last we would receive. WHAT???? I remember so clearly laying in bed reminding the Father that we had been faithful in both instances and people who were supposed to walk with Him had let us down. We had done nothing ungodly or unethical and now we were once again facing joblessness and possible financial ruin which brings me to Psalm 37 where David writes:
Psalm 37:1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
be not envious of wrongdoers!
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
God was reminding me that none of this was upsetting to Him. He had a purpose and plan for our lives and He had not changed His mind. He would come through. My job was to not fret, trust Him, walk faithful, stay in His word and live out what He said. He would take care of us and our needs.
Psalm 37:23The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
when he delights in his way;
24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord upholds his hand.
25I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children begging for bread.
26He is ever lending generously,
and his children become a blessing.
I found myself quoting these scriptures to the Lord over and over! But you know what…. He is faithful and He is generous to us. He has restored Les to pastoring and my heart sings with delight. We have a deeper compassion for those going through joblessness. Les is still helping people work as unto the Lord and coaching many not just pastors but Christian business leaders wanting to change their world for Christ. Not one hurt has been true loss, but just the way the Father has prepared us to treasure Him not things, His ways not a position or title, and cling to Him for our every need.
Sorry this is so long, but I have a feeling there may be a few of you who read it who have been hurt. Some may be jobless right now and trying to figure out the way. Some may be fretting. Please go read Psalm 37 and find your verses to hold on to. Please also allow me to pray for you. Message me your prayer needs. I will be faithful to pray.