Faith @ WorkNäide

At the intersection of spiritual life and vocation are two signs. One sign is marked doubt: “God’s promises are in jeopardy. Put your hope in your own abilities, and take matters in your own hands.” The other sign is marked hope: “God is bound to his word by his character. Put your hope in God and obey with unwavering confidence.”

Satan urges you to lean on your own understanding and follow the path of doubt. Jesus invites you to choose hope, to trust him with all your heart, and to submit all your ways to him. Doubt invites you to be wise in your own eyes. Hope calls you to fear the Lord and shun evil. Hope is the antidote to shame, for hope in God will never disappoint you. Hope enables you to joyfully allow God to take you forward into maturity.

One would think that hope would grow in the quiet places, or in the holy of holies at God’s throne of grace. But hope grows in the messy, sinful world. Hope grows as you engage with culture and see the wonderful power of Christ in operation. Hope grows as you practice living out righteousness in your workplace. Hope grows as you experience the reality that God’s promises are absolutely trustworthy in every moment and in every season of life, including your workplace.

Doubt is a slippery slope leading to death. It is filled with devious behavior, deceit, seduction, and evil. The path of hope is a good path, a straight path, the path of life marked by love and faithfulness. Along the path of hope, you will find abundant wisdom and sufficient understanding to prudently make the next choice in your vocation.

With hope by your side, your walk will be blameless, and God will be your shield, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones (Prov. 2:7–8). When you choose the way of hope, you live in eternal safety, and your soul will be at ease without fear of harm (Prov. 1:33). Living with hope, you have no need to fear the disaster or ruin that will one day overtake the wicked. Along the path of hope, the Lord is at your side, keeping your foot from being caught in the snare of sins. With hope, you can run and not grow weary.

Prayer

Almighty God, thank you that my hope in you can be an anchor for my soul. Remind me today of the hope that I have in you so that I am not discouraged. Amen.