Day 2. Devotion in the daily grind

Ecclesiastes 9:9-10 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.

Ok, I realize you may or may not have a wife (or husband), but let's consider the urging of Solomon in these verses. Solomon in a sense is saying, you only get one shot at living this life - so do it well. God works in many ways to accomplish His purposes. He works through miraculous means, through his people (Believers in Jesus Chirst), through unbelievers, and even through natural means. 

For example, we would hope that if our loved one were sick, that the doctor providing care would have done his or her best to learn the knowledge of the practice of being a doctor and apply that knowledge when treating the sickness. God is ultimately the source of knowledge. He created every human and every plant, mineral, herb, and other substance needed to have the tools, medicines, and technology needed to treat sickness. And whether by his own miraculous healing or through the natural process of healing which God also has enabled our bodies to achieve, He gets the credit. 

Think of this example. Is God more exulted by providing a family without enough income with an anonymous donation at just the right time, or is God more exulted when he provides steady work which allows a family to be provided for? Sometimes God provides for us in ways that require hard work and perseverance. In both circumstances God is exalted as provider when we depend on Him and praise him for providing!

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Part of our devotion to Jesus Christ, is simply recognizing His place as provider for every good thing in our life, as Creator of the universe, and as the only Redeemer able to free us from sin and death and grant the promise of eternal life.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 

Rather than asking God for something more, perhaps today you can thank Him for all that He provides for you and focus on using those good gifts to put feet to your devotion to Him, to brothers and sisters in Christ, and to a world in desperate need of the Gospel message shared in word and action.