Do you ever have those days when the weight of the world seems to be on your shoulders? When no matter how hard you try to reach someone they do not hear or understand the message? Does the frustration and weariness of the world catch up with you? I had one of those days last week meeting with a client, a person of professed faith who just keeps compromising in his business and more importantly his faith. I want so badly to turn him from the path he is choosing in his business, doing things that are “necessary” according to him, but not in keeping with the Word of God.
I came home and carried the burden of failure. I could not reach him. I could not open his eyes. Another of his advisors spoke that same day about the frustration of dealing with this person—frustration to the point of discontinuing services to his firm.
My weariness was about more than this one day with the client. It was an accumulation of time, of not being able to reach him and show him how big God really is. How could I not be able to show him God in all His Glory and fullness?
Then I realized that I too was limiting God. I do not have to show the client how big God is; God will. I cannot save any one. I can witness through my words and actions, but each person makes the choices to change their businesses and hearts to fully embrace God. I opened my Bible to seek a specific verse that came to mind for the situation. As I opened my Bible I saw Psalm 16 and it spoke to me, lifted me up and renewed my spirit. May it lift you up in your daily life too!
Psalm 16
The Hope of the Faithful, and the Messiah’s Victory
A Michtam of David.
1 Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.
2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
3 As for the saints who are on the earth,
“They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god;
Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
Nor take up their names on my lips.
5 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance.
7 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope.
10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
11 You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
God’s Glory, grace and mercy will be revealed to those who choose to see, those who do not rely on their own knowledge and wisdom, but seek His Face and Will in their lives. We cannot lead every person to salvation, but we can go out seeking to lead each person to the opportunity to know God. But it’s up to them to make the choice to hear and submit.
Author: Lea A. Strickland, MBA CMA CFM CBM GMC
Copyright ©2012 Lea A. Strickland
All Rights Reserved
