Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
This passage of scripture teaches us that we are to make the best and the most of the time, opportunities, and resources allotted to us in this life. The whole purpose of salvation is to develop a Christlike character that is well balanced, through the effectual working of the Holy Spirit on our hearts. But with everything else that is worth achieving, it calls for cooperation with God in very practical ways. Christians are to be diligent workers, executing with dispatch and efficiency, all of life's responsibilities, while looking to Jesus for wisdom, guidance, and discretion in every aspect of our daily experiences. When the teachings of the scriptures are thus brought to bear in the everyday duties of life, the Bible then comes alive to us individually, for then we are able to experience and observe in real time, the wisdom of God displayed in our behalf.
When Gideon was in the process of selecting men to fight the invading army of Midianites, The Lord gave him a simple test to prove who amongst the thirty thousand people who offered to fight, were really willing and able to do so, by trusting in God. They were brought down to the river's edge to drink water, and those who lapped like a dog were selected, whereas those who knelt upon their knees and drank with their hands in a comfortable, casual manner were sent back home. Let's read:
Judges 7:5 So he brought down the people unto the water: and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. 6 And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. 7 And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.
Often in life it is the little things which test and reveal our characters, and when flaws are observed or defects are brought to our attention, it is the will of God that resolute and permanent changes be made by His grace. The urgency of the moment in this instance demanded focus, determination and energy born of God, but the overwhelming majority of people chose to drink in a languid, nonchalant manner, thereby revealing that they were not up to the task, and were therefore sent home, rather than permit their attitude to infect the others who were brimming with energy and eagerness.
In our own experience our characters are tested in the little things of life on a day to day basis, and the attitudes thus manifested are to be cultivated or otherwise uprooted, depending on whether they are in harmony with Biblical principles, or not. God does not condemn any of us for our faults and errors, but it is His will that every unchristlike trait of character be eradicated from our lives, for we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to perform life's duties with diligence, care and determined energy, for if we do, we will certainly reap the results, not only in this life, but also in the life to come. Let's read:
Proverbs 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
May God add His blessing to the study and doing of His word. "Good night" and God bless!