Strength for the tasks at hand....

Proverbs 31:17
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. NIV

She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. NLT

She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. NASB

Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." NIV
[ I read this yesterday. It's context is the exiles returning to Jerusalem. They were sad when they heard the Law of Moses and that they had not kept it. But Nehemiah encouraged them to rely on the Lord for strength to keep God's commands.]

Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. NIV

Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom. NLT

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. NASB

Observation:
Gill's Exposition on the Entire Bible ~
Showing her readiness to every good work; and with what cheerfulness, spirit, and resolution, she set about it, and with what dispatch and expedition she performed it: the allusion is to the girding and tucking up of long garments, worn in the eastern countries, when any work was set about in earnest...

Application:
I need to be an energetic and hard worker. I need to do whatever I can to help my family. I can do this because the joy of the Lord is my strength.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you that Your joy is my strength. Help me fight for joy when the task seems too difficult or overwhelming. I want to work for you in all I do. I want to be a hard worker rather than a procrastinator. I can't do it on my own but I can do it through Christ who gives me strength. In Jesus name, amen.