Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning- though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered. We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Relent, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.
Meaningful work. It’s the goal of every employee. So often, whether as an employer interviewing job applicants or a consultant on a fact finding mission for a new client, I was reminded that simply earning a wage isn’t good enough for most folks. No, what we all want beyond income is meaningful work, a job where what we do makes an impact, not just a living. Life is already too full of trouble and sorrow to have to endure a meaningless job on top of everything else. And in ministry, I’ve seen the most dramatic examples of this; bright, talented people walking away from well paying jobs to serve as missionaries just so they can feel like they’ve made a difference.
Blessings,
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