In Search of a Job

 

It’s likely that several people you know have been laid off this year. Recently I learned that another good friend had lost his job. This would be bad news for anyone, but it was especially brutal for my friend because his wife’s position had been eliminated just a month before!

King David knew what it felt like to lose his position, and it resulted in true grief and sorrow (2 Samuel 15:30)—multiplied by the fact that it was his own son Absalom who had snatched his throne (v.13). We can all identify with David in his feelings of defeat and sadness. The loss of a job produces that kind of unfortunate fruit. The king even wondered if his days of reigning over God’s people was history, as he said, “If [God] is through with me, then let Him do what seems best to Him” (v.26).

David wrote Psalm 3 when he was fleeing from Absalom. If you or someone you know has lost a job, here are three positive things David found through experiencing loss that could be helpful to you as well:

Humility—A job can become a source of our identity and even a source of pride. Loss brings us to a point of humility before God and others. We recognize that it is God alone “who holds my head high” (v.3).

Dependence—Loss drives us to a place of desperation. We truly need God and His provision. We “[cry] out to the Lord” and He answers us (v.4).

Confidence—Not in ourselves, but in God. We learn a deeper level of trust in the One who is “watching over” us (v.5) and gives us “victory” (v.8), both today and forever!

You don’t have to lose everything when your job is lost. Trust in God and His provision for today.

 

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world”

(Isaiah 12:5, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

One time, I read about this medical doctor. He was in his late 80’s, but he still went to the office every day. He loved to operate. His friends and family tried to get him to retire, but he just wouldn’t do it. He had invented a procedure that he had performed over 10,000 times. He was asked in an interview if he ever got tired of doing it, if it ever got old. He said, “No. The reason why is because I act like every operation is my very first one.” He was saying, “I don’t let it become so common that I lose the awe.”

What has God done in your life? What can you be thankful for? Do you have your health? Do you have someone to love? There are miracles all around us. Don’t lose the amazement of what God has done in your own life. Don’t spend life waiting for the next “big” thing. Instead, thank God for the glorious things He’s done in your life. Thank Him for loving You. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for the miracle of life. Thank You for the air that I breathe. Thank You for every promise found in Your Word. You are good, and You have done glorious things! Let everything I do bring glory as a testimony to how great You are in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen