Toiling under the Son

Reading: 1 Kings 11, Ecclesiastes 1, and 1 John 4

 

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:3, What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?

 

Thoughts: When we first meet some one of of the first things we ask is, “What do you do for a living?” We are focused on that the toil under the sun is for one another. I have been binge watching all the seasons of Survivor and on day one they are always showing people asking names and occupations. Yes our jobs are a big part of how we spend time, but that is not who we are. In Ecclesiastes it starts off saying Vanity of vanity all is vanity then jumps right into walking about what does a man gain from his toil. So where is our focus, is it our job, our family, or the one who gave us all those things. Are we just toiling under the sun or are we going to toil under the Son?

 

Prayer: Lord God, you are the creator of all things and the giver of all things. I thank you that you see me and know me, that you knew me in my mothers womb. I thank you that you are calling me even when I don’t fell worthy of that call. I ask that you help me to walk in your plan and that my toiling brings honor to you. 

And the Stone Table will crack.

Reading: Song of Solomon 5-8, Psalm 13 and 1 John 3

 

Scripture: 1 John 3:16, By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

 

Thoughts: We so often focus on John 3:16 about how we are forgiven and are given eternal life through the gift of God, but we need to spend as much time remembering 1 John 3:16. We know His love because of the sacrifice that he gave, but also we are called to lay down our lives for our brothers. This reminds me of a series of events that happened in The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, after Edmond had escaped the witch and has rejoined his brother and sisters with the Narnian army the witch comes and claims the old magic requires his soul to be hers. Later after Aslan had trained his life for Edmond’s and has risen he recites what was written on the stone table “If a willing Victim that has committed no treachery is killed in a traitor's stead, the Stone Table will crack; and even death itself would turn backwards.” Aslan being a Christ allegory he sacrificed himself to cover the sins of Edmond and save him. We are called to lay down our lives, are we putting God first and no matter what happens to our lives we are there for our brothers and sister and representing God and his love? John 13:35 says “they will know us by our love” how are you know?

 

 

Prayer: Lord God, you are merciful and mighty, you overcome all things and grant us strength and knowledge to honor and praise you and to preach the good news. I thank you that you are here with us and you are always leading and guiding us. I thank you that you are refining me and molding me into the man you called me to and need me to become. I thank you for the blessings and provisions you pour out on us every day. I thank you for our daily bread and pouring into us. I ask that you help us to overflow with your love and walk in a way that brings honor and glory to your name.