In my time reading the Bible and praying this morning. I was reminded of some things that I pass on to you especially if you find yourself discouraged or tempted to worry about your vocational future...having thoughts like....will I ever find another job, I'm not sure what else I can do...or maybe it has gotten to the point that you are entertaining doubting thoughts.....wondering if God even loves you and cares about you.
Be encouraged afresh by a story of someone in the bible who had similar struggles about the call on his life and how long it took to come to pass. Scripture wonderfully reveal's "Lessons Learned" from Abraham's walk with God and what we are to do when we find ourselves in "waiting mode".
The Certainty of God's Promise
Hebrews 6: 13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, ehe swore by himself, 14 saying, f“Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham,2 ghaving patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes han oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to ithe heirs of the promise jthe unchangeable character of his purpose, khe guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which lit is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope mset before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into nthe inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone oas a forerunner on our behalf, phaving become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Key take away's from this passage for job seekers:
1. God's promise to Abraham is a promise to all how have repented and put the trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord - that he will bless us, his children and provide for us what we need for life.
- we see how we are to live each day in the following passage...the promise that all we need with be "added to (given to) us as we seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.
Matt 6:25 e“Therefore I tell you, fdo not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 gLook at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. hAre you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his ispan of life?7 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,29 yet I tell you, jeven Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, kO you of little faith?31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For lthe Gentiles seek after all these things, andmyour heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But nseek first othe kingdom of God and his righteousness, pand all these things will be added to you.
34 q“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
2. As Abraham patiently waited, he obtained the promise God made to him in His timing
- you by faith have been patiently waiting on the Lord to provide the job that he has for you in this season of life. Continue to seek him and patiently pray to him to lead you step by step to your next job. Ask him to do for you what you can't do for yourself, to give you favor and bless you to find and secure your next job. Rest assured, in his timing, he will do this.
3. God's character is unchangeable and he shows convincingly each day to folks like you and me..his unchangable character/nature of his purpose as well....guarenteeing that two things will be unchangeable as you continue to seek him in humility and dependence for your next job.
1. We who have fled for refuge (to Him) might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope mset before us.
2. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into nthe inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone oas a forerunner on our behalf, phaving become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
So as you go today, continuing another day of the job search, hold fast with strong encouragement to the HOPE, hold fast to ....keep your eyes on Jesus....who is the sure and steadfast anchor of your soul. And know that Jesus as the "high priest forever" is praying for you RIGHT NOW for everything you need to be provided for you by the Father for life and godliness. This is consistent with our calling we as Christians are to confirm each day as we live dependent on him....believing in the God's precious and very great promises....having escaped the corruption in the world.
Confirm Your Calling and Election
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him fwho called us to3 his own glory and excellence,44 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become gpartakers of the divine nature, hhaving escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith iwith virtue,5 and virtue jwith knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control kwith steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness lwith brotherly affection, and brotherly affection mwith love. 8 For if these qualities6 are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or nunfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that heois blind, having forgotten that he was pcleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers,7 be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and qelection, for if you practice these qualities ryou will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you san entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
12 Therefore I intend talways to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in uthe truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this vbody,8 wto stir you up by way of reminder, 14 xsince I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, yas our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
As Winston Church once said, not to my knowledge under acknowledge dependence on God, but certainly the words are applicable to a walk of faith...NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP. Do the 1% of partnering with God by faith to see Him do, in his timing, the 99% of bringing you to your next job. He is guiding you step by step... even this day....on the path to the job he has for you! Why? Because his is faithful.
Finally, remember the Lord is at hand (Phil4:4). So if you find yourself with inordinate care or worry today about your vocational future....live in the good of another of the Father's promises for you...whenever you find yourself unsettled or lacking peace, cast your cares on him because he cares for you...and his peace that passes all understanding...as he has promised, will flood your soul and mind afresh.
Phil 4:4 pRejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. qThe Lord is at hand; 6 rdo not be anxious about anything,sbut in everything by prayer and supplication twith thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And uthe peace of God, vwhich surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
A job search is hard work. I respect your faith and trust in God and how you are faithfully seeking him for the plans he has for your future in the workplace, plans of prosperity not calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare1 and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Have a grace-filled day as you continue to wait patiently on God's promise to you to provide a new job for you. Remember, He is Sovereign and He is good and what he speaks in the form of a promise in his word, will come to pass.
Art
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