So I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. Everything is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
Ecclesiastes 2:17
Solomon lived at a
Many of us live at a
Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day He rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
Exodus 20:8 – 11
Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to You that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:40 – 42
Everything Solomon worked for was
I came to hate all my hard work here on earth, for I must leave to others everything I have earned. And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? Yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work under the sun. How meaningless!
Ecclesiastes 2:18 – 19
So I gave up in despair, questioning the value of all my hard work in this world. Some people work wisely with knowledge and skill, then must leave the fruit of their efforts to someone who hasn’t worked for it. This, too, is meaningless, a great tragedy.
Ecclesiastes 2:20 – 21
Solomon’s increased activity just led to
So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless. So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from Him?
Ecclesiastes 2:22 – 25
To be active and productive…
Be rock solid about
God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”
Jesus in Matthew 6:33
Learn to say “no” to the
Honestly evaluate your
Put some
Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”
Mark 6:31
Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
Luke 5:16
Wherever you are, be
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under Heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 – 3
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
But Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
Matthew 19:14
When Jesus heard him, He stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”
Mark 10:49
The frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell at His feet and told Him what she had done. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”
Mark 5:33 – 34
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under Heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
“Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given Me the seal of His approval.”
Jesus in John 6:27