08 Dec A Simply Profound Proverb
Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” (ESV)
“Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.” (NASB 1995)
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (NIV)
The simplicity of this familiar proverb seems obvious, but it is backed by a powerful promise. Our call is to entrust all of our work to God, Who has all authority over the universe (and the marketplace). Imagine the effect on your city if every business owner, senior manager, sales people, service reps, financial analysts, etc . . . resolved to dedicate and commit their work to the Lord? Can you picture the impact on our culture?
How one carries out this command isn’t quite as obvious. Offer all of your activities and goals to be used for God’s purposes and His glory. Perform each task in a way that pleases and honors Him–with diligence, with integrity, with creativity. Picture Him watching over you while you work (remember your parents overseeing your chores in the garage or the yard?). Does that motivate you to work with even more energy and excellence?
Children have been “hard-wired” to desire approval and acceptance from their fathers, but not everyone has a good earthly model of a loving, guiding, supporting parent. However, our deepest source of fulfillment and pleasure was meant to be our Heavenly Father—the only perfect parent. You may need to remind yourself that “ . . . the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for [wait for] Him.” Isaiah 30:18
To commit everything you do to the Lord is an invitation to acknowledge that God sees and cares for your life and your work. Let’s approach each task with the utmost care and attention. Let’s celebrate the promise found in the second half of this proverb: “He will establish your plans.” God the Father is committed to managing and directing the plans that you have in mind today. That’s why we are responsible for thinking rightly and drawing on solid data as we consider new ideas or projects. In this “partnership” we can rest in the confidence that God Himself will move forward everything that serves His highest purposes for your life and your business and His Kingdom.
Serving Him with you in the marketplace,
David Atchison
Lord, thank You for reminding me that You are watching me today. Not with suspicion, or with a critical eye but with interest and pleasure. I’m dedicating my work to You today. I want to please you and honor You with my efforts. I am Your servant and You are more important than any client, associate or investor. So, I ask You to establish and bless my plans for Your glory and Your purposes as You have promised. Amen.
“A life totally committed to God has nothing to fear, nothing to lose, nothing to regret.” – Pandita Ramabai
ADDITIONAL REFLECTIONS: IN SEARCH OF A THANKFUL HEART