“And let the beauty and delightfulness of the Lord our God be upon us; confirm and establish the work of our hands—yes, the work of our hands, confirm and establish it.”
Psalm 90:17 (AMPC)
As we approach the close of another year, it’s natural to reflect on all we’ve done—our accomplishments, our failures, and the impact we’ve left behind. In the flurry of tasks and responsibilities, it’s easy to wonder: Does what I do really matter? Is this work significant?
Psalm 90:17 answers those questions with a resounding yes. It reminds us that our work—when rooted in God—is not only meaningful but also blessed by His beauty and permanence.
The Beauty of the Lord Upon Us
The Amplified Classic version of this verse emphasizes the “beauty and delightfulness of the Lord.” This isn’t merely external beauty but a radiance that flows from being aligned with God’s purposes. When we walk in step with Him, even the most mundane tasks—washing dishes, comforting a crying baby, balancing work deadlines—take on a divine glow.
God’s beauty transforms our perspective. The endless to-do lists aren’t just tasks; they’re opportunities to reflect His character. The small moments of kindness we show to others become seeds of eternity. Even our mistakes, when surrendered to Him, can become beautiful examples of His grace and redemption.
Establishing the Work of Our Hands
The psalmist’s prayer is that God would confirm and establish the work of our hands. In a world where so much feels fleeting, this prayer reminds us that what we do in partnership with God has eternal significance.
When we’re overwhelmed by busyness or consumed by doubt, this verse invites us to pause and seek God’s guidance. It’s not about striving harder or doing more; it’s about aligning our work with His plans. As we do, He takes our efforts—however small—and gives them lasting impact.
Living Beautifully in the Everyday
At Live Beautiful Ministries, we believe that beauty begins in the heart. As daughters of God, we are called to live in a way that reflects His goodness and grace in every aspect of our lives.
To live beautifully means:
Inviting God into our work - Whether you're crafting a presentation, cooking dinner, or ministering to a friend, pray over your work. Ask God to guide your hands and establish your efforts for His glory.
Resting in His delight - You don't have to earn His approval. God delights in you simply because you are His. Let this truth free you from striving for perfection.
Embracing small beginnings - The seemingly insignificant moments matter.
A kind word, a helping hand, a prayer whispered in faith-God uses these to build His kingdom.
A Prayer for the New Year
As we step into the next season, let’s make Psalm 90:17 our prayer:
Lord, let Your beauty rest upon us. May Your presence fill our hearts and our homes with delightfulness and peace. Establish the work of our hands—whether big or small. May everything we do be a reflection of Your goodness and bring glory to Your name. Amen.
Take heart, dear sister. What you do matters. When surrendered to God, your work becomes a masterpiece of eternal significance—a reflection of His beauty and love for the world.
Let’s walk into this new year with purpose, rooted in His grace, and reflecting the true beauty of Christ.
