Working the Plan

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

— Psalm 138:8

“Does God truly answer prayer? Maybe we don’t deserve to have our prayers answered.”

The teenager’s comment caught his pastor off guard. Obviously, there are plenty of answered prayers in Scripture—and everyday life. But the pastor felt the question went deeper than a yes or no. “It’s not about what we deserve,” he answered. “It’s about what God wants to do in and through us. It’s about His mercy and our salvation.”

We often think of prayer in terms of God answering it or not. But every prayer is answered—and all according to God’s plan. His work in our lives takes many shapes.

King David wrote in Psalm 138 that God would fulfill His purpose, and then he went on to sing praises to the Lord. He also raised his voice in recognition of the glory and everlasting love of God. David sang with total confidence that the Lord would complete whatever work He began.

We can embrace and take to heart this same confidence. Each one of us is a unique creation with a purpose that serves God’s kingdom. He leads us to salvation through His mercy and grace, and the Lord intends for His gifts to be used to achieve this purpose. When we surrender to God’s love and keep our focus entirely on the Lord, He will guide us to carry out this work.

Today’s One Thing

Make a list of some of your gifts. Then identify ways those gifts can further the Kingdom of God. Pick one and use it to God’s glory.

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