What does the worker gain from his struggles? I have seen the task that God has given people to keep them occupied. He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the good life. It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts. I know that all God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of Him. Ecclesiastes 3:9-14
There is nothing better for man than to eat, drink, and enjoy his work. I have seen that even this is from God’s hand because who can eat and who can enjoy life apart from Him? Ecclesiastes 2:24-25
My words…
Praise
Lord, Solomon offers so much wisdom in this book, and I am struggling to understand Your message of Ecclesiastes. But that’s all right. I have prayed that You will open my mind and heart to absorb Solomon’s words. Some of his words penetrate my spirit: “He has put eternity in their hearts, but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end.” You have placed eternity in my heart! As a child, I studied math, and I learned the concept of infinite numbers – numbers without a beginning and end. What a mind-blowing concept! You are infinity – eternity. You have no beginning and no end. However, Your work has a beginning and end; Solomon writes that I cannot discover that work. Of course, I can’t. You are God. But I have learned that You have a job, too – like me. You work. You are not idle. But what is Your compensation? Do You have a benefits package? According to Solomon, You work so I have Someone of whom I can be in awe. You provide a place where I may lay my praise, which is what eternity-hearted people desire to do. And that pleases You. Praise the Lord!
Prayer for me
I have a job. I have a home. I have a family. So I have a lot of work to do. My jobs are often repetitious and unfulfilling. The same thing, day after day. Instead of rejoicing in the work You have given me, I grow bored and resentful. I don’t seek out ways to enjoy my work. Help me look upon my work, not as drudgery, but as a gift from You.
Forgive me
Forgive me when I feel the work I do is beneath me. Jesus washed his disciples feet, and He is the Son of the Almighty God! Forgive me for being ungrateful to You for blessing me with work. You see those who suffer from unemployment, and yet I complain about commuter traffic and unfair wages. Forgive me for these blatant expressions of discontent.
Prayer for others
Father, I pray for those who seek work but have yet to find it. It is good for us to be occupied, to have a job to do. But so many are without work, and feelings of uselessness and inadequacy abound. For those who seek to find a job to do, I pray You will show them the path toward work. And for those who are unable to work, I pray You will provide for their needs. I also pray for exploited and abused workers world-wide, forced to work in unbearable conditions for hours on end, without a day of rest. Most labor silently, powerless to stand up to tyrannical, greedy employers. But You see them. Work for them, Lord! Bring them rest and a chance to eat, drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Thank you
Thank you, Father, for the blessing of work. I am happy to show my gratitude by enjoying my life – eating and drinking and giving thanks to You. Thank You for placing eternity in my heart. What a gift – to realize Your infinite existence apart from this temporal world.
More Praise
Lord, I praise You as the One who longs to see me enjoy my life while I am alive on this planet. You long to see me laugh, eat, drink, and dance! And to smile as I commute to work each day! I praise You as the God who works, who is not idle. I do not understand Your work, but I know it includes answering prayers. Let this one be answered in a way that brings You glory.
