Called
to Our Work - Pt 1 |
Background | |||
|
There is some debate as to whether this is written to Solomon or by Solomon (the word translated "of" can be taken either way). However, the text (especially the first half) is very reminiscent of his proverbs, and of Ecclesiastes. | |||
| Ecc 2:22-25 | |||
|
|
| 22 For what does a man
get in all his labor and in his striving with which he labors under the
sun? 23 Because all his days his task is painful
and grievous; even at night his mind does not
rest. This too is vanity. 24 There is nothing
better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor
is good. This also I have seen, that it is from the hand of God.
| |
|
All that we strive to do on our own, we do in hopes of enjoyment. If we labor, it is in hope of the reward, and rarely for the thrill of the labor itself. God does not, repeat does not tell us to cease from our labors. | |||
| | Pr 6:6-8 | 6 Go to the ant, O sluggard,
Observe her ways and be wise, 7 Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, 8 Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest. | |
|
He does, however, tell us to rejoice in the benefits of that labor, for it is He who gave you those benefits. The fruit of our efforts is the gift of God. Would you spurn His gift? Ecc 3:12-14 | |||
| 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; 13 moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor-- it is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him. | |||
| Our best efforts are like the grass of the field, quick to grow, and just as quick to pass away. But God's works remain. His work in us remains. Forever! | |||
| Ecc 8:16-17 | |||
| 16 When I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the task which has been done on the earth (even though one should never sleep day or night), 17 and I saw every work of God, I concluded that man cannot discover the work which has been done under the sun. Even though man should seek laboriously, he will not discover; and though the wise man should say, "I know," he cannot discover. | |||
| Learning is just as futile as labor, when the Lord is not involved. The great discoveries of man seem ever to lead to harm, as we forget the Lord's leading. | |||
| It is man's greatest
glory that he discovers how to do. It is his greatest shame that he cannot learn how not to. | |||
|
The Lord's wisdom often lies in not disclosing to us what are His ways. He knows best. His wisdom lies in having the best plans and using the best means to accomplish them. We too often settle for the best we know of at the moment, and strive blindly toward failure. Ecc 12:8 "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher, "all is vanity!" Every undertaking ought to be bathed in prayer. Every decision ought to be laid before our Lord and Savior. I do not necessarily suggest that we must spend hour upon hour agonizing on our knees over every decision we face in the day. I firmly believe that God matures us sufficiently to decide a great number of things without the need for consultation. I do not say that we can ignore our Lord in any matter, but I do think that He expects us to use these minds He has renewed for us. If there be any doubt, pray. Paul warns us against acting in the face of our doubts. If we do not act from faith, we act from sin. That is the declaration of Scripture. If there is no doubt, then no doubt, you have your answer before you. If there is, then pray until the path becomes clear. And even after you've begun, I advise praying more, for we are ever capable of mistakes. But He is ever willing to correct. Q: Is any decision neutral from God's perspective? Ecc 12:13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. | |||
| Mic 6:8 | He
has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? | ||
|
If you will walk with God, if you will desire to keep His commandments, if your love for Him compels you to strive to your utmost to keep His commandments (and it should), then your decisions will tend to be sound decisions, your advice to be good advice, and your actions to be solid testimony to His goodness. The opening of this psalm is a byword to every Christian family. It is perhaps one of the most well known verses in all Scripture. It certainly ought to be the model on which we build our families. It is equally certain that it ought to be the model on which we operate in society, and, as Mr. Barnes points out, it is also "An admirable confession of faith to be made by any man who is called to be a builder in church or commonwealth!" It applies, as Augustine declared, to every Christian minister and pastor. They are the builders and watchmen of God's church, and where they labor in their own strength, apart from God's grace and power, they indeed labor in vain. Those who play the numbers game with God's household do not, in the long run, work in God's household, but their own. Wherever men seek their own glory in 'serving God,' let this Psalm stand as a warning! Recognition / Provision / Worship / Servanthood / Help / Security / Joy / Work / Happiness / Perseverance / Hope / Humility / Obedience / Community / Blessing | |||
|
©2001 - Jeffrey A. Wilcox |