41:Life’s Questions
Ecclesiastes 2:24 teaches, “Nothing is better for a man than that ... his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.” This may be a challenging verse for you, especially if you don’t have a very fulfilling profession. Maybe you’re a caregiver to your children, spouse, or aging parents and you do an immense amount of work that is sometimes thankless and exhausting. Even if you really like your job, you may not always find it enjoyable, because every occupation brings difficulties and frustrations with it.
How do you feel about the work that you do? Is it your dream job or just something that you do to pay the bills? Whatever your situation may be, God expects you to do your best at whatever you do. Whether it’s people, politics, or other kinds of problems that are causing you distress, you may wonder how you can stay motivated and honor God in your labors. Life Principle 4 gives you this encouragement: The awareness of God’s presence energizes us for our work.
What the Bible Says
Read Deuteronomy 20:1–4. What kind of assignment did God guarantee that Israel would face (Deut 20:1)?
Why might the people of Israel be terrified and discouraged (Deut 20:1)?
What did God promise that He would do for them (Deut 20:4)?
*** The word afraid in the Old Testament also means to stand in awe of, revere, or respect. Only God deserves your awe, respect, and reverence (see Deut. 3:22). He is with you and He is able to overcome anything that you’ll ever face.
Read Deuteronomy 11:7–12 and review why God was giving these commands to Israel. Why was it important for the people of Israel to stay focused on God during this crucial time in the nation’s history?
What It Means
The people of Israel were right: they could not conquer the Promised Land on their own. That’s why it was imperative for them to look to God for courage and grace whenever they faced challenges, enemies, or seemingly impossible situations.
You may be wondering what this has to do with your particular job. As a believer, you’re a servant of the living God every moment, with every task. Whether you’re driving enemy armies out of the Promised Land, changing diapers, making multimillion dollar deals, delivering pizzas, or teaching a Sunday school class, you must honor God in all that you do.
Life Examples
What is the worst job that you can think of? Why is it so terrible?
Read Genesis 39:20–23. What do you imagine Joseph’s life was like in the prison?
Why did the keeper of the prison have such confidence in Joseph (Gen 39:22–23)?
*** Joseph spent at least a decade in that prison, but none of it was wasted time. God used that invaluable experience to teach him the principles that he would need when governing Egypt, and to position him for maximum impact and blessings.
Read Gen 41:15-16; Gen 41:38-44. How did God bless Joseph’s faithfulness?
Living the Principle
How can you stay motivated and honor God in your work? Joseph did it by remembering that God was with him no matter what happened. He set his heart to serve God faithfully, whether in the prison or the palace, and regardless of famine or fruitfulness. The same should be true for you. Colossians 3:23–24 instructs, “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”
Like Joseph, you may not know why God has allowed the difficulties that you face in your labors. It’s possible that you have a certain goal in mind with regard to your profession, but God’s plan for you is much greater. Obey Him and don’t lose heart (see Gal. 6:9). Whether it’s a battle with an enemy, an overwhelming challenge, or a personal crisis that appears impossible to overcome—God is with you. He is your energy, strength, wisdom, and creativity. He is also your boss. Do your very best for His sake and allow Him to work through you. He’s got a great victory and a wonderful reward for you if you’ll trust Him and do as He says.
*** My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain. (Isa. 65:22–23)
How will you live out Life Principle 4 this week? Have you encountered a situation in your work that causes you fear or discourages you? Discuss ways that you can keep your mind focused on God’s presence and honor Him in your work. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
Ecclesiastes 2:24 teaches, “Nothing is better for a man than that ... his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.” This may be a challenging verse for you, especially if you don’t have a very fulfilling profession. Maybe you’re a caregiver to your children, spouse, or aging parents and you do an immense amount of work that is sometimes thankless and exhausting. Even if you really like your job, you may not always find it enjoyable, because every occupation brings difficulties and frustrations with it.
How do you feel about the work that you do? Is it your dream job or just something that you do to pay the bills? Whatever your situation may be, God expects you to do your best at whatever you do. Whether it’s people, politics, or other kinds of problems that are causing you distress, you may wonder how you can stay motivated and honor God in your labors. Life Principle 4 gives you this encouragement: The awareness of God’s presence energizes us for our work.
What the Bible Says
Read Deuteronomy 20:1–4. What kind of assignment did God guarantee that Israel would face (Deut 20:1)?
Why might the people of Israel be terrified and discouraged (Deut 20:1)?
What did God promise that He would do for them (Deut 20:4)?
*** The word afraid in the Old Testament also means to stand in awe of, revere, or respect. Only God deserves your awe, respect, and reverence (see Deut. 3:22). He is with you and He is able to overcome anything that you’ll ever face.
Read Deuteronomy 11:7–12 and review why God was giving these commands to Israel. Why was it important for the people of Israel to stay focused on God during this crucial time in the nation’s history?
What It Means
The people of Israel were right: they could not conquer the Promised Land on their own. That’s why it was imperative for them to look to God for courage and grace whenever they faced challenges, enemies, or seemingly impossible situations.
You may be wondering what this has to do with your particular job. As a believer, you’re a servant of the living God every moment, with every task. Whether you’re driving enemy armies out of the Promised Land, changing diapers, making multimillion dollar deals, delivering pizzas, or teaching a Sunday school class, you must honor God in all that you do.
Life Examples
What is the worst job that you can think of? Why is it so terrible?
Read Genesis 39:20–23. What do you imagine Joseph’s life was like in the prison?
Why did the keeper of the prison have such confidence in Joseph (Gen 39:22–23)?
*** Joseph spent at least a decade in that prison, but none of it was wasted time. God used that invaluable experience to teach him the principles that he would need when governing Egypt, and to position him for maximum impact and blessings.
Read Gen 41:15-16; Gen 41:38-44. How did God bless Joseph’s faithfulness?
Living the Principle
How can you stay motivated and honor God in your work? Joseph did it by remembering that God was with him no matter what happened. He set his heart to serve God faithfully, whether in the prison or the palace, and regardless of famine or fruitfulness. The same should be true for you. Colossians 3:23–24 instructs, “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”
Like Joseph, you may not know why God has allowed the difficulties that you face in your labors. It’s possible that you have a certain goal in mind with regard to your profession, but God’s plan for you is much greater. Obey Him and don’t lose heart (see Gal. 6:9). Whether it’s a battle with an enemy, an overwhelming challenge, or a personal crisis that appears impossible to overcome—God is with you. He is your energy, strength, wisdom, and creativity. He is also your boss. Do your very best for His sake and allow Him to work through you. He’s got a great victory and a wonderful reward for you if you’ll trust Him and do as He says.
*** My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain. (Isa. 65:22–23)
How will you live out Life Principle 4 this week? Have you encountered a situation in your work that causes you fear or discourages you? Discuss ways that you can keep your mind focused on God’s presence and honor Him in your work. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
- View yourself as a servant (see Phil. 2:5–7).
- Realize that you work for the Lord Himself (see Eph. 2:10).
- Realize that your pay comes both now and hereafter (see 1 Cor. 3:13–14).