"Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." So Solomon begins the book of Ecclesiastes, and in these words, establishes a great theme to be addressed in this wisdom book. In fact, the word "vanity" (or vain) appears no less than 31 times in the book. The same writer has penned the Psalm we consider today, and as in the larger writing, so in this small text, the vanity of life and action without the LORD at the center is considered.

As a backdrop to the opening words of this Psalm, consider that Solomon was charged with the great privilege and duty of constructing the temple of God in Jerusalem (1 Chr 22:10-11; 28:10, 20). What a sobering task – to be commissioned by the Creator to build a dwelling place for God among His people. It was Solomon's earnest understanding that this was the LORD's building project, not his own. Though the temple would be raised by the hands of men, it was humbly acknowledged that God was the designer and chief builder. It was His construction project, entrusted with His people.

The security of antiquarian cities was primarily laid in the hands of their watchmen. These would alertly scan the horizon, watching for potential threats. If a threat was perceived, the men of the city would be made ready to defend her. Jerusalem was no different, but Solomon very candidly declares the vanity of the watchman's vigilant gaze if God is not also guarding the city. The Assyrians, supposing to overthrow Jerusalem failed, for Isaiah had spoken, "Like birds flying about, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem, Defending, He will also deliver it; passing over, He will preserve it." (Isa 31:5). However, when the LORD ceased to defend, Jerusalem would fall, "Be instructed, O Jerusalem, lest My soul depart from you; lest I make you desolate, a land not inhabited." (Jer 6:8).

Friends, we are also entrusted with a building project initiated by and intended to give glory to God – His church. No longer does God dwell with His people through a temple constructed from inanimate stone and wood, but now resides in a living temple (Eph 2:19-22; 1 Pe 2:4-5). As we build upon the apostolic foundation supplied, acknowledging Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone, we will become a "...spiritual house...", "a dwelling place for God in the Spirit"!

However, we must never become independent contractors in this building project. Even as Noah was given the standard for the ark (Gen 6:14-16), Moses was given the pattern for the tabernacle (Ex 25:9), and Solomon was given the plans for the temple (1 Chr 28:11-19), God has supplied a discernable order for the church (Heb 8:1-6). We must therefore be diligent students of God's word (Heb 1:1-2; 2:1-4). Unless it is the LORD who builds the church, those who labour do so in vain.

As the wall of Jerusalem was kept with watchmen, so the Lord has appointed some to this vital task in the body of Christ also. The Hebrew writer implores us to "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls..." (Heb 13:17). This is doubtless a reference to those who serve as elders in the local church. To the Ephesian elders, Paul instructed, "...take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." (Ac 20:28).

The Bible plainly reveals the awesome responsibility these men have. Peter charged, "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly, nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock..." (1 Pe 5:1-3). However as the watchman's sleepless nights were vain if God did not guard the city, so are the diligent efforts of the eldership. But God be thanked, for the very construction of the church is such that it shall never fall (Heb 3:3-6; 12:28).

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.

From the time of creation, part of God's design for man is that he find ought to do with his hands, to supply the needs of his family and of others (2 Thes 3:10; 1 Ti 5:8). Adam, being formed of dust and having received the breath of life, was placed by God in the garden of Eden, that he might tend and keep it (Gen 2:15). Shortly thereafter, we read of other occupations with which the human race involved themselves (shepherds, musicians, craftsmen, Gen 4). Labor is an inherent part of humanity.

As much as labor is an elementary function of man, if we do not hold the Lord at the center of our work, it will bring forth nothing but weariness. If our focus in work is the attainment of goods, then we have misunderstood the Lord's intent and will find life to be tedious (Ps 39:5-6; Ecc 2:3-11). Solomon adequately summarized the place of the one who has this misguided concept, "For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity." (Ecc 2:22-23). All such will rise up early and stay up late, and find nothing but sorrow in their doing. There is no satisfaction, there is no lasting reward.

On the other hand, Paul commands bondservants, "...whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." (Col 3:23-24). If we find in the Lord our motivation to work, then we will also find from the Lord reward for our labors. Certainly, we will receive the sustenance of ourselves and our family, but the rewards the Lord has for us go so much further.

Why is it that one will rise early and stay up late, and experience sorrows, while another will rise early and stay up late, but know rest? It is dependent upon our disposition with regard to work. One religious writer penned of our work and attitude towards it, "It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, but why he does it" (A.W. Tozer).

Friend, let us know for surety that if God is at the center of all our doing, we will be blessed in what we do. If we give the Lord preeminence in the church, in our homes, in our workplaces — in every aspect of our lives, then we can have the security and rest that so many faithful who have gone before us have known.