WORK THAT IS MEANINGFUL...👍🏾

Psalm 127:2 "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep." The context of this verse comes from the opening lines of this psalm (Psalm 127:1). What's pointless, or futile, is to work for anything without reliance on God and godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 14:1). No amount of effort or ability can overcome something grounded on lies or foolishness (Matthew 7:24–27). All the effort people expend to build or protect things, when those efforts are not godly, are worthless sources of stress (1 Corinthians 3:10–15). Work is endorsed in Scripture. Even in the garden of Eden Adam worked. God had placed him in the garden "to work it and keep it" (Genesis 2:15). In response to idleness among the believers at Thessalonica, the apostle Paul ordered: "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10). In his first epistle to the Thessalonians, he wrote: "We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle" (1 Thessalonians 5:14). There is no sense in which this verse condemns work—only overwork that excludes God and produces anxiety and sleepless nights (Psalm 3:5). By contrast, work that includes God by seeking and doing His will pleases God and leads to restful sleep. A clear conscience and trust in God bring peace of mind. The apostle James warned against working with an arrogant trust in one's own efforts and only a profit in view (James 4:13–17). He admonished, "Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that'" (James 4:15). Work done in the will of God is never in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the benefits of a good night's sleep.

Thank You also for the day by day provision of the gifts and graces that are mine in Christ and which are even poured out on me during the night-time hours.

Thank You for the work that You have given me to do during my time on earth. Lord, I know that without You I can do nothing, and yet I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.

Keep me from the worries of the day and the fears of the night.

Keep me from trying to sort out my personal problems without coming to You and relying on Your sufficient strength and promised grace.

May I never forget that it is You who provides for my daily needs, and I pray that from this day forward, I may rely on You in all things.

This I ask in Jesus' name...

AMEN 🙏🏾