From: September 4, 2025
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 ESV).
Solomon continued his study of life “under the sun,” limiting his observations to the physical world. From this earthly perspective, the grave (Sheol) marked the end of all human activity—no more work, planning, or wisdom could be pursued there. Therefore, Solomon urged his readers to make the most of the present moment, working with all their might while they still had life and strength.
Solomon did not address life “beyond the sun,” the fuller reality of eternal reward or judgment, since his perspective here was under the veil of mortality. Yet even from that vantage point, there was wisdom. Diligence is encouraged because death ends all opportunity for labor. Both moral and spiritual duties should be done with vigor, since they cannot be performed after death.
Are you feeling lazy and lethargic today? Ecclesiastes reminds us that life is fleeting, and our opportunities to serve the Lord will one day come to an end. What has God placed in our hands today? Whether it is our daily work, family responsibilities, or kingdom service, let us do it with all our might. As the apostle Paul wrote, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Col.3:23-24).
Jesus gave a similar exhortation when He said, “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4). Our “day” is the span of earthly life God has granted us. The “night” is death, when earthly opportunities cease. Knowing this, we should not waste our days on meaningless pursuits but finish this life serving Christ wholeheartedly.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to use every day and every task as an opportunity to glorify You. Keep us from idleness or distraction, and give us strength to do all that our hands find to do with joy and diligence. May we finish our earthly race serving You with all our heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: September 4, 2024
“Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you” (Ecclesiates 7:21 ESV).
Solomon warned against being overly sensitive to what others say about you. Guard your heart. For from time to time, even those closest to you may say something disparaging of you. You might even overhear one who works for you, cursing you. Not to your face of course, but behind your back. But don’t let it go to your heart. For if you examine yourself, you’ll have to admit that you’ve spoken ill of others too. And if you take to heart everything that people say about you, it can lead to an angry and bitter disposition that is always looking for an offense. Or it can lead to a pandering kind of personality that is always seeking a compliment or praise.
Yet, do take to heart everything that the Lord says about you. For He created you and sent His Son to die for your sins. God knows you better than you know yourself. He has a new name for you that will align with your heart’s true identity. Let what the Lord says about you go deep into your heart. Seek His approval. Live not for the applause of people, but for the approval of God.
PRAYER: Dear Father, You know us better than we know ourselves. Examine our hearts and show us today where repentance is needed. We want our hearts to be in alignment with Yours. We want to pursue after Your heart. Teach us to be unoffendable, so that our identity and approval are centered on what You say about us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: September 4, 2023
“O God, we meditate on your unfailing love as we worship in your Temple” (Psalm 48:9 NLT).
Meditating on God’s “unfailing love” is an appropriate act of worship. What kind of love is this? The Hebrew word is “chesed,” which may be translated “lovingkindness” or “covenantal love.” In the Greek New Testament, the word “agape” would be its equivalent. This kind of unconditional, unmerited, and unchanging love is worthy of our meditation.
The psalmist spoke of his meditation of it in worship, yet it’s supreme revelation isn’t found until the cross of Christ. It is in Jesus that we see God’s unfailing love made manifest. As John said, “This is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).
Beloved, let us meditate on this unfailing love of God revealed in Jesus Christ!
PRAYER: Dear Father, when we consider Your unfailing love for us as revealed through Jesus, we are overwhelmed with gratitude and praise. Thank You, Lord. Now pour out Your love and grace through us to others as we share the Good News of Your great love to the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: September 4, 2022
PAIN PRECEDES REPENTANCE
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians was the most corrective of all his epistles. He was sorrowful to send it, knowing the pain it would cause. However, when he heard from Titus how the Corinthians had repented and changed their ways, he was overjoyed. He observed a spiritual truth: Pain precedes repentance.
Worldly sorrow comes from having been caught. It does not result in repentance, which is both a change of mind and of conduct. But godly sorrow results in true repentance, so that both mind and conduct are changed.
Paul didn’t want to hurt the Corinthians, but he loved them enough to correct them, causing them a little pain, but with great result. His correction was aimed at their repentance. And he was overjoyed to see their godly response.
PRAYER: Dear Father, examine our hearts today to see if there is any transgression or sinful attitude in us that we might confess and be cleansed. We want our hearts to be in alignment with Yours. Fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: September 4, 2017
There is a sorrow that comes from getting caught doing wrong and having to suffer the consequence. There is a sorrow that comes in the shape of grief when losing a loved one or experiencing some loss. There is a sorrow that comes as shame and guilt after sobriety returns. Yet, all of these are worldly sorrows that do not produce repentance. Worldly sorrow only produces regret, which ultimately leads to death. For worldly sorrow is about self and circumstance, not God. But “godly sorrow” is different. It is sorrow according to God’s will that brings our sin into contact with the cross of Christ. Instead of being sorry for the suffering that comes from sin, we are sorry for the sin itself because it is what nailed Jesus there. This “godly sorrow” that “worketh repentance” is a gift from God, just as faith is. Repentance and faith are inseparable. In repentance, we turn from our sin. And in faith, we turn to God by trusting in Jesus, God’s provision for our sin.
From: September 4, 2016
Thinking on God’s “steadfast love” is an appropriate act of worship. What kind of love is this? The Hebrew word is “chesed,” which may be translated “lovingkindness” or “covenantal love.” In the Greek New Testament, the word “agape” would be its equivalent. This kind of unconditional, unmerited, and unchanging love is worthy of our meditation. The psalmist spoke of his meditation of it in worship, yet it’s supreme revelation isn’t found until the cross of Christ. It is in Jesus that we see God’s steadfast love made manifest. As John said, “This is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Beloved, think on this steadfast love of God revealed in Jesus Christ!
From: September 4, 2015
Solomon’s study of life “under the sun” was limited to the physical world, and therefore, did not include observations of life “beyond the sun.” So, the idea of an afterlife with eternal reward and judgment are not topics considered by him. Yet, there is a wisdom here for those still on this side of the “grave:” Work with all of your might, while there is still light. As Jesus taught his disciples, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). I want to finish this earthly life serving the Lord with all of my might. How about you?