{"id":1169,"date":"2010-07-04T01:49:32","date_gmt":"2010-07-04T01:49:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2010\/07\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-god-will-work-out-his-plans-for-my-life.html"},"modified":"2010-07-04T01:49:32","modified_gmt":"2010-07-04T01:49:32","slug":"sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-god-will-work-out-his-plans-for-my-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2010\/07\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-god-will-work-out-his-plans-for-my-life.html","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling<\/em>: God Will Work Out His Plans for My Life"},"content":{"rendered":"
READ Psalm 138:1-8<\/a><\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n

\nThe LORD will work out his plans for my life–
     for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever.
     Don’t abandon me, for you made me
\n<\/p>\n

Psalm 138:8<\/a><\/div>\n

\nWhen life goes in directions we didn’t expect, and when those
\ndirections include suffering and frustration, we can easily become
\ndiscouraged. We wonder if God has forgotten us. We worry that our lives
\nwill sputter out like a car that has run out of gas. We fear we’ll end,
\n“not with a bang, but a whimper,” to quote T.S. Eliot’s “The Hollow
\nMen.” <\/p>\n

In
\nPsalm 138, David begins by thanking the Lord for his “unfailing love
\nand faithfulness” (138:2). God answered his prayers, even on the very
\nday David offered them (138:3). Even though God is inestimably great,
\n“he cares for the humble” (138:6).<\/p>\n

But, as David first composed
\nPsalm 138, he was “surrounded by troubles” and endangered by “the anger
\nof [his] enemies” (138:7). In faith, David said, “The LORD will work
\nout his plans for my life – for your faithful love, O LORD, endures
\nforever” (138:8). David had confidence in God’s ultimate purpose for
\nhim, which God would fulfill. Thus David did not have to be afraid or
\ndiscouraged. God would take care of him!<\/p>\n

Yet Psalm 138 does not
\nend with a firm confession of trust in God’s care. Rather, it concludes
\nwith a focused request: “Don’t abandon me, for you made me” (138:8).
\nIt’s as if David trust in God wavered for a moment. “Lord,” he prayed,
\n“you will fulfill your purpose for me. Yes, indeed. Oh, but don’t
\nforget me! Don’t abandon me!”<\/p>\n

Thus Psalm 138 exemplifies the
\nreality of our life in God. It is true that God will work out his plans
\nfor us. As Paul writes to the Philippians, “And I am certain that God,
\nwho began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is
\nfinally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Phil 1:6). In
\nthis truth we stake our lives. Yet there are times when we aren’t so
\nsure. We wonder. We worry. We doubt. Psalm 138 encourages not to hold
\nback in those times, but to lay before the Lord both our confidence in
\nhim and our hesitations. He will take all of these are work them
\ntogether for his purposes.<\/p>\n

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: When have
\nyou been surrounded by troubles? What did you do? How did you pray?
\nWhat helps you to trust that God will work out his plans for your life?
\nWhen do you find it hard to trust? How free are you to share with God
\nyour deepest fears and doubts, as well as your glad confidence in him? <\/p>\n

PRAYER<\/strong>: O Lord, how I relate to
\nDavid’s prayer in Psalm 138. Yes, you have been amazingly good to me.
\nYes, you have answered my prayers, again and again. Yes, you have
\nproven your care for me over and over.<\/p>\n

Thus, when I am
\nsurrounded by troubles, I have confidence in you. I know that you will
\nwork out your plans for my life. Hallelujah!<\/p>\n

And, yet, I can be
\nunsure. I can lose my grip on confidence. Worry and doubt can invade my
\nheart. In times like these I cry out even as David did, “Don’t abandon
\nme, for you made me.” <\/p>\n

O Lord, may I grow in my trust in you.
\nMay I know more deeply that you will work out your plans for my life.
\nMay I stop worrying and live each day with greater and more joyful
\nconfidence in you. <\/p>\n

I pray today for those who are surrounded,
\nand who feel as if you have abandoned them. Make your presence known to
\nthem. Reassure them by your grace. Let them know that you are, indeed,
\nworking out your plans for their lives. <\/p>\n

All praise be to you, O Lord, because your faithful love endures forever . . . even for me! Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n

_________________________________________________<\/p>\n

\"high-calling-screenshot-4.jpg\"<\/span>Would you like to receive a Daily Reflection like this one in your email inbox each morning?  <\/strong><\/p>\n

Here’s how . . . . <\/em><\/strong>
\nThis devotional comes from The High Calling of Our Daily Work <\/em>(www.thehighcalling.org<\/a>), a wonderful website about work and God<\/em>. You can read my Daily Reflections<\/a> there, or sign up to have them sent to your email inbox<\/a> each day. This website contains lots of encouragement for people who are trying to live out their faith in the workplace. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

READ Psalm 138:1-8   The LORD will work out his plans for my life–     for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever.     Don’t abandon me, for you made me Psalm 138:8 When life goes in directions we didn’t expect, and when those directions include suffering and frustration, we can easily become discouraged. We wonder if God has…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1169","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sunday-inspiration"],"yoast_head":"\nSunday Inspiration from The High Calling: God Will Work Out His Plans for My Life - Mark D. Roberts<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2010\/07\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-god-will-work-out-his-plans-for-my-life.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling: God Will Work Out His Plans for My Life - Mark D. Roberts\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"READ Psalm 138:1-8   The LORD will work out his plans for my life–     for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever.     Don’t abandon me, for you made me Psalm 138:8 When life goes in directions we didn’t expect, and when those directions include suffering and frustration, we can easily become discouraged. 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Roberts","description":"Mark D. Roberts: Thoughtfully Christian Reflections on Jesus, the Church, and the World","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/1ff094a57b7e41f534434b1723df3d73","name":"Mark D. Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1169","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1169"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1169\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1169"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1169"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}