Ecclesiastes 9:7-9

Go your way, eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a cheerful heart [if you are righteous, wise, and in the hands of God]; for God has already approved and accepted your works. 8 Let your clothes always be white [with purity], and do not let the oil [of gladness] be lacking on your head. 9 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given you under the sun—all the days of vanity and futility. For this is your reward in life and in your work in which you have labored under the sun.—Ecclesiastes 9:7-9

Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.—2 Corinthians 7:9-11

The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.  Godly sorrow is so beautiful.  It leads us to the One who can redeem our lives from destruction and make the crooked places straight.  Godly sorrow transforms the heart and produces new life in the one who weeps over his sin.  

We live in an imperfect and fallen world where the only thing that IS certain is death.  None of us can know what will happen tomorrow...only God. Given this, Solomon recommends to those who are the Lord’s, to enjoy the life God has given them under the sun as much as they are able.  Go your way, he says!  Eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a cheerful heart.  Let your clothes always be white and do not let the oil of gladness be lacking on your head.  Live joyfully with the spouse and family with which God has blessed you.  Beloved, salvation is the antidote for the futility of life under the sun.  Those of us who believe can know that our lives in Him are not in vain. Our God works all of it together for our good and His glory.  We can do as Solomon recommends because it is well with our souls!  

Praying today that I can live each day of this vain and futile life that my God has blessed me with as if it were my last.  After all, as Solomon reminds us, things could and often do get worse. I am thankful, Father, that Your Spirit gives my life purpose and meaning. In You, my work is never in vain.  You are faithful and will complete the good work You began in me.  Here on earth, you will guide me with Your counsel and afterward receive me in glory. 

Father, help me to make the most of the present! To focus my eyes and heart on those things that are above...that are eternal.  In Heaven, my work here will be judged ...help me to live in such a way that I will receive a reward for Your glory!  For I died, and my life is now hidden in Your precious Son, Jesus.  When Christ (who is my life) appears, then I also will appear with Him in glory. My hope and my consolation in this life and in the life to come are in You.  

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.—1 Corinthians 3:10-15

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.—Colossians 3:23-25

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.—Hebrews 4:14-16

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise,

And apply your heart to my knowledge;

For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you;

Let them all be fixed upon your lips,

So that your trust may be in the LORD;

I have instructed you today, even you.—Proverbs 22:17-19