Daily Devotional

1 Ship your grain across the sea;
after many days you may receive a return.

~

⁶ Sow your seed in the morning,
and at evening let your hands not be idle,
for you do not know which will succeed,
whether this or that,
or whether both will do equally well.

Ecclesiastes 11:1 & 6

There's an old saying: "You reap what you sow"... The truth is that sowing seeds is not an easy process. You need good seeds, prepared soil, enough water, a willingness to work, and confidence that the harvest will come in abundance.

Perhaps you, like most people, don't experience the day-to-day workings of the fields up close. Even so, we can imagine that for an ordinary farmer, burying part of his livelihood in the hope that it will multiply later is a big step of faith! The farmer makes sure that all the effort he puts into preparing, planting and watering the crop can increase his earnings and bring benefits to others too. But remember that, despite all his efforts, it is God who brings life and growth.

This is also the case in our lives: we have many goals and objectives, but to achieve them we need to sow them through God. We prepare the ground and sow the seeds by faith, confident that our goals will come true. But this will only happen if they are in accordance with the Lord's will. Our trust must be in God, who makes all things possible.

Live by faith!

• Dream, plan, strive, but surrender everything by faith to the One who gives life and growth.
• Read Ecclesiastes 11. Casting bread upon the waters may refer to the practice of casting seeds over flooded areas or marketing seeds by boat. The fact is, we need to invest (time, work, resources, faith!) in our projects. Dedicate yourself and sow by faith, trusting in the Lord who always sustains you.
• Don't sit back and wait for achievements to come from heaven. God will give you the strength, wisdom and courage to work diligently, as if for the Lord. Sow for God's glory.
• Don't trust that your own effort and talent will bring you benefits. Without God we can do nothing.
• Have a thankful heart. Be grateful for the daily provision that God gives to those who believe in His Word.
• Today's verses also apply to the Gospel. Share the living Bread that came down from heaven. Many hungry people around you need to receive it. Work without discouragement, there will be good results in time, by faith!

Pray:

Lord God, you are the sustainer of my life! I know that everything comes from you. Thank you that I can trust you to provide much more than we ask for, or think we need. Help me to sow with faith in the Lord, who gives a bountiful harvest in His own time. May Your provision be upon the lives of all who trust in You. In Jesus' name, amen.

"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4

Timothy Keller, a North American Christian pastor, and author, said in his book "Counterfeit Gods": "If we look to created things to give us the meaning, hope, and happiness that only God himself can give, it will eventually break our hearts.."

Everything we most desire in life can only be truly achieved when we seek it in Jesus Christ. We often feel frustrated because we have placed our reason for living in people or things. But the Bible shows us that the meaning of life, true joy, and a sense of personal fulfillment can only be satisfied in God, who made us for His purpose and knows our hearts. Put your trust in Him, God can transform you into a fulfilled and happy person!

Finding meaning and satisfaction in the Lord

• Seek God first! Looking for fulfillment in the wrong places will lead to disappointment.

• Pray and give God your dreams and goals in life. He will give you what is best for you.

• Trust God with all your heart. He can restore you and renew your hope.

• Find the key to getting the answers you are looking for in the Bible. God's Word is a source of light and nourishment for your soul.

• With Jesus, God gives you every blessing. Without him, you will never feel complete and happy.

Pray:

Lord God, thank you, because only in you can I find complete joy! So many times I have been disappointed and frustrated because I trusted in people, things or myself. Forgive me for seeking happiness in limited creatures and not in the Lord. The fleeting things of this life cannot satisfy the desires of my heart. But the Lord can do all things! Mold me and fill me with pure and true joy, in Jesus' name. Amen!