What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun? One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever. The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, And hastens to the place where it arose. The wind goes toward the south, And turns around to the north; The wind whirls about continually, And comes again on its circuit. All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, There they return again. All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing." (Ecclesiastes 1:3-8)
 
In the passage above Solomon observes the endless, boring cycles of life.  Under the sun there is nothing new; all is vain and empty. Such is the view of the one who pursues everything in life except what really counts.
 
This picture is all too familiar in modern America.   The straight life of the homemaker is a mindless day of dirty dishes, waxing floors, changing dirty diapers, and planning meals for an ungrateful family.  The life of the workingman is forty- hour weeks, two-week vacations for kids, cleaning out garages, mowing a lawn, income tax forms, and bills, bills, bills.  Life seems ordinary and pointless.  
 
Several years ago our family worked together on a family paper route.  From that experience I learned a valuable lesson that made my task much easier. There was an older couple that would express so much appreciation to me for having their paper on the porch on those cold winter days.  There was much more to my laborious task than the paycheck at the end of the month.  It was the joy of serving God and others! Even though it was a simple task, it was the reward of making a difference in someone’s life and the peace that comes from being their servant.  God takes the ordinary and pointless out of life and gives every job a reason.
 
Paul says: “And 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.”(Col. 3:24) Notice the focal point of this passage: “you serve the Lord Christ”.  Each day I must be reminded that no matter what the work – “I serve the Lord Christ”.  This is true of the homemaker, the workingman, or the student.  It is true of the physician and the paperboy.  Whatever the job – “I serve the Lord!”  He is the reason to live!  He is to be the focal point of all of my plans.  Without Him life is empty and monotonous!
 
By George Slover
 
 

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: "The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace."'   (Numbers 6:22-27)
 
In the midst of stern commandments and restrictions is recorded this well known benediction.  Similar sentiments are also expressed in apostolic literature.  (II Corinthians 12:13)  It is an expression of what God really wants for his people.
 
The LORD bless you and keep you.  The Lord is the keeper of Israel.  He promises to provide and preserve.  It is by this same care that our world is sustained.  (Acts 14:15-17)  God graciously supplies all that man needs both physically and spiritually.  Among God’s people there should be the security (Matthew 6:33) that God will meet every need to those who seek Him first.
 
The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you.  God’s shining countenance is the assurance of pardon and salvation!  Just as a child feels the difference between the shining or darkened face of a mother, the Christian pleads for God’s approval.  God wishes to heap His favors upon us.
 
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.  This third clause seems to repeat the second, but in a stronger form.  To lift the eyes upon anyone is to gaze with a keen interest.  God furnishes his children with all of the tools necessary for continued fellowship. He will guide and shelter any who will submit to his discipline.  The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
 
God’s mercies are everlasting to everlasting.  If we are at peace with Him in hearty and diligent obedience, nothing else matters.
 
By George Slover

Our livestock also shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind. For we must take some of them to serve the LORD our God, and even we do not know with what we must serve the LORD until we arrive there." (Exodus 10:26) During the time when God sent ten plagues upon Egypt, Moses made numerous requests of Pharaoh to allow Israel to go into the wilderness to worship God. Each of Pharaoh’s replies always included a compromise.  After the ninth plague Pharaoh calls for Moses:  "Go, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be kept back. Let your little ones also go with you." (Exodus 10:24) Moses’ reply was unambiguous: “the entire nation, with its flock and her herds will depart into the wilderness to worship Jehovah.”  Moses was not inclined to restrain from God's wishes: "You must also give us sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. "Our livestock also shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind. (Exodus 10:25-26) Does it not seem strange that Pharaoh wants to counsel Moses?  Which of these two truly has a grasp of God's will?  Pharaoh tried several times to persuade Moses to compromise, but failed.  Perhaps this last request, “leave your cattle behind”, was the craftiest, for it might seem more palatable to Moses. Pharaoh’s display of jealousy and rage is often how ungodly men react when the godly take a stand.  Moses wisely refuses Pharaoh’s counsel.  Godly living cannot be guided by the compromises of the world. It is wise to suspect and carefully examine any advice given by men.  It is never right to give up even what may seem to be the smallest of God's commandments. God wants a full surrender of our heart and life to his will.  Worldly pleasures, possessions, and friendships must be sacrificed for God’s cause.  All we own – our possessions and our lives belong to him.  For God it must be all or nothing! By George Slover