May 15, 2024
And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
- Genesis 2:15 (KJV)
In Genesis 2:15, we see a powerful example of God's instruction to Adam: to ‘keep’ the garden – keep meaning, working to maintain the garden. This verse holds profound truths about the nature of work and our attitude towards it.
Notice that God did not ask Adam what he wanted to do or whether he enjoyed the work assigned to him. He simply gave him the task and expected him to carry it out. This teaches us an important lesson – that we are meant to work, regardless of whether we like it or not.
We may find ourselves in situations where the work we are given is not what we would have chosen for ourselves. We may feel tempted to complain or resist, but the truth remains, our responsibility is to work on what has been assigned to us.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 echoes this sentiment: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might." Notice the emphasis on doing the work with all our might, regardless of whether we like it or not. There is value in diligence and perseverance, even in tasks that may seem mundane or undesirable.
Consider the story of Joseph in Genesis 39:2-3 “And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand”. Despite being sold into slavery, Joseph remained faithful and diligent in his work. And because the Lord was with him, he prospered even in the midst of difficult circumstances. This reminds us that our attitude towards work is crucial – when we approach it with diligence and faithfulness, God can bless our efforts and bring about prosperity.
Embracing the work that has been assigned is an opportunity to honour God and serve others. Whether it is in the workplace, at home, or in our communities, let us do the work with all our hearts, trusting that God sees our efforts and will reward us accordingly. May we be like Joseph, faithful and diligent in all that we do, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. Amen.
Song of Worship
My hands are blessed, with the blessings of the Lord;
Anyone I touch, surely must be blessed;
Anything I do, will be magnified;
My hands are blessed, with the blessings of the Lord
Prayer - Teach us to trust in Your providence and to find contentment in knowing that You are with us in every task we undertake. Help us to remember the example of Joseph, who remained faithful and diligent in his work, even in the midst of adversity in Jesus' name, we pray. Amen
Bible in 1 year: 2 Kings 24-25; John 5
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