This is my last year of college. I don’t have a job and I’m running out of money to pay my school bills. I’ve sent so many applications, but nothing! Then, finally, last week I got an interview and they want to hire me. The problem is that they are asking me to work on Sabbath. Should I accept it? Is this an answer to my prayers? I’ve been looking for a job for months now!
That must be so hard. I’m sorry you have to go through such an ordeal. It’s true that God works in mysterious ways, but there’s something I know by experience: God doesn’t like shortcuts, especially if they go against His Word.
I’m not saying “watch it because God will punish your shortcut” (working on Sabbath to pay the bills). Not even “hold on because the reward is worth it” (let’s say, a better job with lots of money), but hold on because God is in control. He’s heard you; He knows what you are going through.
Hold on, my friend. Keep praying. Keep looking for a job. Keep studying. Don’t give up! Until He doesn’t show you the exit—as He did to Abraham when He asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac—you don’t stop, you don’t take a shortcut. You keep on going!
Why? Because He keeps His promises! Check this out:
- 2 Corinthians 1:20—“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.”
- Psalm 89:34—“I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered.”
- Deuteronomy 31:6—“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
- Psalm 105:8—“He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations.”
- Joshua 23:14—“Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.”
—Josue Sanchez is a youth pastor with a passion for sharing Jesus with teens. He lives in Hagerstown, MD with his wife and daughters.
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