Working out Salvation

[Ecc. 9:10] 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.
Whatsoever - you have opportunity and ability to do, do it with unwearied delicacy, and energy and mission. There is not only something to be had, but something to be done, in this life, and the chief good we are to enquire after is the good we should do. This is the world of service; that to come is the world of recommence. This is the world of probation and preparation for eternity; we are here upon business, and upon our good behavior.
Hand - (Lev. 12:8.
Opportunity is to direct and quicken duty. That is to be done which our hand finds to do, which occasion calls for; and an active hand will always find something to do that will turn to a good account. What must be done, of necessity, our hand will here find a price in it for the doing of, Prov. 17:16.
Thy might - diligence (Deut. 6:5; Jer. 48:10.
For - You can neither design nor act any thing there tending to your own comfort or advantage.
No work . . . in the grave -(John 9:4; Rev. 14:13). The grave is a land of darkness and silence, and therefore there is no doing any thing for our souls there; it must be done now or never, John 12:35.
Whither you go - Even is you are totally convinced that there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going, you should still put the time you have been allotted under the sun to good use.
1. What good we have an opportunity of doing we must do while we have the opportunity, and do it with our might, with care, vigor, and resolution, whatever difficulties and discouragements we may meet with in it. Harvest-days are busy days; and we must make hay while the sun shines. Serving G-d and working out our salvation must be done with all that is within us, and all little enough.
2. We are often disappointed of the good we had great hopes of, the events, both in public and private affairs, do not always agree even with the most rational prospects and probabilities, however numerous his undertakings. The issue of affairs is often unaccountably cross to every one's expectation, that the highest may not presume, nor the lowest despair, but all may live in a humble dependence upon G-d, from whom every man's judgment proceeds.
3.Duties are ours; events, G-d's. There are times or seasons, casual to men, but known by G-d, in which alone He will give men success. A sovereign Providence breaks men's measures, and blasts their hopes, and teaches them that the way of man is not in himself, but subject to the Divine Will. We must use means, but not trust to them; if we succeed, we must give G-d the praise (Ps. 44:3); if we be crossed, we must comply in His will and take our lot.
4. There is good reason why we should work the works of Him that sent us while it is day, because the night comes, wherein no man can work, John 9:4.
We must up and be doing now with all possible diligence, because our doing-time will be done shortly and we know not how soon. But this we know that, if the work of life be not done when our time is done, we are undone for ever: There is no work to be done, nor device to do it, no knowledge for speculation, nor wisdom for practice, in the grave whither you go.
5. We are all going towards the grave; every day brings us a step nearer to it; when we are in the grave it will be too late to mend the errors of life, too late to repent and make our peace with G-d, too late to lay up any thing in store for eternal life; it must be done now or never.
The soul's play-day is Satan's work-day; the idler the man the busier the tempter.