Psalm 62:5-12 (NRSV)
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Verse 5For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.
Verse 6He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
Verse 7On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
Verse 8Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
Verse 9Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.
Verse 10Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
Verse 11Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,
Verse 12and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work.
Devotion
My dad used to take me to the same men’s clothing store every time I needed new finery. This “haberdashery” was old school, with belts and cufflinks in glass cases and shirts and trousers on wooden shelves. While my dad was talking to the owner—smooth and professional—I spent time with the humble, elderly clerk.
The thing is, both were doing their jobs perfectly—the owner with my dad, and the clerk with me. I was always astounded that the clerk and the owner remembered us, our tastes, our sizes, and tacitly, our budget. This was how they got us ready to face the world with confidence.
The psalmist says that rich or poor, God repays according to our work. I learned from polished owner and humble clerk that our real work is in the caring, not necessarily the clothes. God is ready to reward the way you care, wherever you are called.
Prayer
Our way of doing what we do is called style. The essence of our work is called caring. In our work, God, help our caring shine through our style, whatever it may be. Amen.