Labor...

Happy Sunday!

Psalm 128:2 says, "God will use your hard work to provide you food.  You will prosper in your labor, and it will go well for you."(Voice).  I've often said, "There's a scripture for that!"   Any subject and any concern is addressed in the Word of God.  As we prepare to celebrate Labor Day in the USA, it's interesting to see so many scriptures about work, labor and reward.

God created work.  It wasn't what we sometimes envision work to be.  Adam wasn't dreading going to work in the beginning.  He didn't hate his boss, and he wasn't trapped in a tiny cubicle all day!  He had an assignment, a purpose, not just a job,   He had a beautiful work environment.  Genesis 2:15 says, "God took the Man and set him down in the Garden of Eden to work the ground and keep it in order."(Message).  He was also given the awesome privilege and responsibility of naming the creatures that God created.  Genesis 2:19 says, "And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof."(KJV).

Genesis chapter 3 tells us about the day things went wrong.  The ground was cursed, toil and sweat entered our vocabulary, Eden was lost, and death became our destiny.  Thank God for Jesus!  He is the second Adam, and in Him we have Hope!  1 Corinthians 15:22 says, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."(KJV).   Jesus said, "The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance."(John 10:10, Voice).

We have an opportunity to live the good life.  We can look forward to "working out our own salvation with fear and trembling".(Philippians 2:12, KJV).   The Living Bible says it like this, "Dearest friends, when I was there with you, you were always so careful to follow my instructions. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to do the good things that result from being saved, obeying God with deep reverence, shrinking back from all that might displease him. For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants."( Philippians 2:12-13).

Work it out!

Love and prayers, Cynthia