The summer’s rest has been a mercy, but now the bells ring for your return to the schoolroom, and the thought of those walls presses upon your spirit because within them evil has been done. I mark your words: racism, favoritism, micromanaging, discrimination, these are not small thorns. They tear at the soul. Yet when such things abound, we are not left without a sure word. He who called you to that place is not absent from it. He is certainly at work accomplishing His purposes, although our coarse and earth‑bound senses cannot discover Him. Faith has a far greater perceptive power than the senses, and it beholds the Lord even where sin seems to rule.
You ask for favor. Favor is a jewel which comes from the hand of the King alone. When He turns in a way of grace to His people, He comes with all His soul most heartily and richly to display His favor and His love toward the objects of His choice. The favor that makes men smile upon you is a small thing compared with the favor which makes God smile upon you in Christ Jesus. Seek first His favor, for in the light of His countenance all other kindness takes its proper place. And know this: the favor of God often comes disguised in the rough garments of tribulation. The very men who oppose you may be the instruments by which He shapes your character and presses you closer to Himself.
You speak of the workplace’s sins. It is grievous, and your soul breaks under it; yet remember, if your soul never breaks for another, you will not be the means of breaking that other’s heart. Do not let the injustice make you bitter. His faithfulness was not the faithfulness of cynicism, which criticizes and finds fault, it was the faithfulness of a friend that loves at all times. Keep your own garment unspotted. Walk in wisdom toward those who are without, and let your chaste conversation shame those who falsely accuse your good work in Christ. The wisdom you crave is found in the Word and won by prayer. Lay your whole mind down at the feet of Jesus Christ, for Christ is the Wisdom of God, and all wisdom is infallibly gathered up in Him. Ask, and it shall be given you.
Perhaps you feel like one who has toiled all night and caught nothing. The nets seem empty, your labor unappreciated, and the voices of partiality louder than the praise of true service. But hear the Master: “Nevertheless at Your word I will go to work again. I will try once more, no, I will try many times more.” At the bidding of the Lord, work on with mind and hand and look to Him for the blessing. He may intend to bless you largely when, by trial, you have been prepared to bear the benediction. Though you may be, now, in a dripping sweat through having toiled all night, you must get at it again. The night’s work is nothing, you must work in the day, too, if you are to catch fish.
Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain. If you plunge into the work with all your might, you shall do none too much, for all your little might is demanded by such a cause. And the LORD your God shall bless you in all that you do. Do not watch the evildoer to be envious, but keep your eyes upon the Saviour. He sees your predicament; though He perceives the wickedness, He looks at you through Christ and remembers your frame. He will thrust out your enemies before you, in His time and way.
Rest in this: our gracious God is our home. What makes a man work hard? Why, there are little ones at home who must be fed! So with you: you labour for that home above, where no shadow of partiality falls, where the weary are at rest and the servant is honoured as much as the prince. Let that bright homecoming cheer you when the day’s work is long and the burden heavy. When this great fight is over, he who is most scarred will be most honored, and he who dwelt at home at ease will think himself but sparsely blessed because he did not do his share in the war.
Take heart, then, and go forth to your summer’s return not cringing before men, but erect before God. Look at your troubles till your spirit sinks within you? No, faith laughs at that which fear weeps over! It leaps over mountains at whose feet mere mortal strength lies down to die. If you lift your hands in holy service, a hand unseen but Omnipotent is lifted at the same instant. The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. Only be sure of this: your part is to live Christ among them, to love your enemies, to do good to those who despitefully use you, and to commit your cause to Him who judges righteously. He will soon enough vindicate His own.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
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