June 18, 2010
More than a Job
"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NIV)
Devotion:
Perhaps this economy has forced your child to move back home because they are unable to find a job. Our youngest son Joseph returned home almost six months ago and while my husband Tom and I enjoy having him around, we do struggle to offer words of wisdom when our son asks, "Why is this taking so long? Has God forgotten about me, and will I ever get a job as a pilot?"
Tom and I want to encourage Joseph without preaching to him and sometimes that can be difficult to do. I'm reminded of Solomon's request for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:7-9:
"Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" (NIV).
God rewarded Solomon's request and blessed him with great wealth and influence. Kings from all over the world sought out Solomon's wisdom. He is still considered the wisest man in the Old Testament.
While I don't come close to having wisdom like Solomon, I do have access to the One who is the source of all wisdom, Jesus Christ.
Our son needs a job, that's certain, but I'm more certain that our son needs to deepen his relationship with the One who provides all wisdom. When Joseph realizes that his relationship with Christ is more important than finding a job, our son will experience the blessings wisdom brings, just as Solomon did.
It's hard to watch our child struggle as he flounders in his faith. It's not easy to pray without preaching. I know that a deep and meaningful relationship with Christ is something I can NOT do for my son; Joseph must choose to deepen his relationship with Christ all on his own. I know God draws near to us in the midst of our times of trial and discouragement and I want my son to experience that. I long for him to trust God's perfect timing as He works behind the scenes to work things out for Joseph's benefit.
While I wait for my son to grow in his faith and knowledge of Christ, I hold onto God's promise in this verse, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
Dear Lord, today I eagerly ask You to give our loved ones knowledge, understanding, discernment, and the perseverance needed to follow it. Help them to trust in You even through the waiting. Help them to hear Your voice whispering nearby. Allow them to feel Your very presence and see Your purpose in the midst of their circumstances. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
When Your Child is Hurting: Helping Your Child Survive the Ups and Downs of Life by Glynnis Whitwer
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents by Susanne Scheppmann
For more encouragement, read Building Faith
The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley
Application Steps:
Make a list of verses on wisdom and take notes on what you find.
Reflections:
Where do you find godly wisdom for your life?
How might my life look different if I followed godly wisdom?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 2:2-3, "Turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding." (NIV)
Deuteronomy 4:29, "But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul." (NIV)
2 Chronicles 15:12, "They entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul." (NIV)
© 2010 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
Originally published Friday, 18 June 2010.
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