Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. (9) Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. (10) Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
How striking and conclusive are these reasonings of the preacher. And if construed with an eye to Christ, then are they doubly so. Oh! that souls convinced, that they are in Christ, would live up to their high privileges. Surely the soul that hath Jesus to live upon, hath a Benjamin's portion, and enough to live upon. Christ is his portion; and in him he hath all. Therefore, whatsoever he findeth to do in Christ, there should be no halving. In living upon him, in living to him, in proclaiming his praise, do all with your whole strength. The grave cannot praise thee, (said Hezekiah, when he thought his end approaching), death cannot celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. Isaiah 38:18.