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As you read on, I hope you don't make the same mistake I did. My trust in God's word wavered almost as soon as I finished reading it. If we are going to work unto the Lord, we don't need the latest marketing strategy. We need His word transforming our minds and actions. We need to trust Him so much it changes us.
Now let's study Psalm 75.
Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks,
unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous
works declare. When I shall receive the congregation I will judge
uprightly. The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I
bear up the pillars of it. Selah. (Psalm 75:1-3)
The psalmist appropriately opens this
passage with thanksgiving. I don't know about you, but when I start
fretting about getting “my name out there”, thankfulness is often
the last thing on my mind. Instead of thanking God for the readers I
have, I'm scheming how to recruit more. Rather than feel grateful for
the couple of hours God has given me each day to craft my writing, I try to
steal more time from other important priorities.
What about you? Maybe your not a writer, but do you give thanks or grumble about the work God has given you?
What about you? Maybe your not a writer, but do you give thanks or grumble about the work God has given you?
I said unto the fools, Deal not
foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: Lift not up your
horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. (verse 4-5)
You want to know the quickest way to
being fool in your work? Raise a horn to your lips and bellow about how
great your product, skill or service is. The old timers had biblical backing when they
warned not to “toot your own horn”. Even secular advisers will
tell you pride is the fastest way to ruin your business. Yet
screaming louder than the last man is so common in our commercial
society. There is a place for describing why your product is
different, but may we never fall into the trap of running others down
or boasting of our greatness. If your work really shines, people will
see the glow without you pointing it in their eyes.
For promotion cometh neither from the
east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he
putteth down one, and setteth up another. (verse 6-7)
The Word is clear. Promotion doesn't
come from fancy websites, mega email lists or having connections. These things can be a blessing, but we shouldn't trust in them. If we are
serving God with all our might, working as unto Him; then He will promote us. In the right way at the right time. I've not been
around long, but even in my short time, I've seen this happen again
and again. I've seen people who weren't even looking for promotion have it given to them when they least expected it. God gets the glory when business expansion happens in this way.
For in the hand of the LORD there is a
cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out
of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall
wring them out, and drink them. (verses 8)
The full meaning of verse 8 goes deeper than my understanding. But this much I do comprehend: there is
a nasty after-bite coming for those who promote themselves
through wickedness. “Dregs” is an old English word that occurs
only three times in the Bible. All three are associated with Divine fury and wrath. It's not a word you want
associated with you. If your business practices are
marked by lying, dishonest gain, lust of the eyes, covetousness,
withholding wages or defrauding others, you better hit the floor
in repentance. God has a serious consequences coming for those who increase riches by wickedness.
But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted. (verses 9-10)
The last two verses of this psalm take
us full circle to the beginning. Let the world keep their tactics; we
will praise the Lord. Let the wicked boast of their might; we will boast
in the might of our God. Let the proud horns of the wicked be cut
off. The righteous trust God to exalt them for His glory and His praise.
Do you have a story about when God promoted someone who trusted Him? Sharing it would be a great blessing to me! What better way to encourage each other to believe Jesus' word than sharing His works from the past! :)
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Do you have a story about when God promoted someone who trusted Him? Sharing it would be a great blessing to me! What better way to encourage each other to believe Jesus' word than sharing His works from the past! :)
Would you like to review our weekly posts and resource updates? Sign up here!
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