Today, I meditate on Psalm 3:1-2
As I sit here and contemplate my morning reading, I preview what my day will look like. The focus of the passage is the psalmist’s earthly enemies.
As I ponder the question of “how does that apply to me today”, that still small voice speaks…
We have many earthly ‘enemies’, but our enemies are usually more mundane things like obstacles & challenges. At home it may be our physical limitations like asthma, allergies, out-of-shape or an actual handicap. At work it may be a tough job market, rusty skill set, a lack of confidence or a need for training. I know for myself, professionally I am struggling with learning how to market my business(es) and plan our next move. In any case these obstacles can become stumbling blocks. Then we cry out to the Lord much like the psalmist does (Psalm 3:7). We cry out in desperation, expectation, and longing for that ‘better’ life we think we have been promised. We attach our desires and goals to His plan, as the psalmist did, and call foul when the obstacles increase and multiply. Then as our critics say “Their God can’t help them” (Psalm 3:2), we become discouraged and have doubts.
Today as I have read the promises of our Lord, I have remembered His promise to provide not what we want, but what we need. Much like the manna for the Israelites, (Exodus 16:4) the Lord provides for us and waits to see if we shall obey His desires. It is only when we are faithful, and He is assured that we can handle more of the responsibility are we entrusted with more talents, finances, or other markers of success.
Reading the Palms and the correlation of passages in 2 Samuel (13-15), the actual revolt the psalmist cries out about is one of David’s own making. Many times, David is put in a place of making hard, but none the less, righteous decisions, and for each he took an easier path and ignored the rules the Lord had placed before him. … For example, 2 Samuel 13:21, King David is angry about the attack on Absalom’s sister but does nothing to the attacker possibly for fear of being called out about his own sin with Bathsheba. … In 2 Samuel 15:12, David chooses to invite Absalom back into his court but does not grant audience to discuss the reason for banishment.
So, today, I will meet with a group of people who desire to start a new work. On the face of it, the activities of the group has His name on it and the initial discussion glorifies His name and seeks to show His love through works. However, as I meditate on these passages this morning, I realize that the questions I must ask today will, and should, force this group to question their motives.
- Is His name on this simply so we can call upon the name of the Lord for success?
- Are we, like the psalmist, creating an endeavor with our plans or is this truly going to be His work?
- And if it is His work, are we committed to operating this venture through the rules our Lord has already defined?
Our God has provided guidance in His word for managing finances and all other ventures in this world. Here are some of the guidelines He has already given us.
- In Proverbs 27:23 we are encouraged to know (and manage) our assets, in Business this means we need to be aware of what is happening with the money.
- Luke 14:28-30 tells us it is wise to create a plan for each venture and not to (try to) build without thought.
- 1 Corinthians 16:2 tells us to put a savings away at least one day a week. (a days wage?)
- Ecclesiastes 11:2 reinforces the last passage in telling us to divide our “portions” into sevens or eights (1/7 or 1/8 should be saved)
There are also scriptures about investing and taxes and more. The point is, are we willing to subject our venture to these guidelines? Even more critical, are we willing to make these same commitments to our businesses and households?
The more I learn about the nature and attributes of our God, the more I change my business and personal philosophy. My purest desire is to glorify Him with every aspect of my life. That has to mean my business too. That may take me a while to get it right but He tells us that He is always along for the ride. (Philippians 1:6) I am choosing to be all in, are you?
As you evaluate your own practices, May God bless you in equivalent faithfulness you have in your ventures, business and homes.
May Jesus have His way with your day
He is Founder and consultant for Tek Management,
Founder of the Men’s Leadership site: CalebStrong.org,
Co-Founder of the online Bible study app: BibleCounts
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A quick update.
After talking with this group, this venture is something we are absolutely going to do. However, we have decided to rely on the Lord’s timing and plan on running this business according to the Lord’s principals in scripture. I will be producing two Bible studies for this, 1) God’s principals for business and 2) Tapping in to the power of our Lord.