Where are you going? Do you know the way? Why are you not there? Have you been distracted along the way? “The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city. Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning! Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!” Ecclesiastes 10:15-17 We are all sojourners traveling through this life but there are many who do not know where they have come from or where they are going. Do you know that God loves you? Do you know that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins? This world entices us to become satisfied with the wares it offers. Do not be foolish and believe that this world is all that there is. We are all equally in need of God’s saving grace and we all must come to a point where we place our full trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Have you trusted in God’s saving grace. Continue Reading…
Cease striving and collapse into the loving arms of God: Ecclesiastes 9 and 10
In our presalvific state we needed the grace of God: Ecclesiastes 7 and 8
We are apart of a great story that God has been playing out from eternity past. In this moment we are enveloped by God’s overall purpose for creation. We have been greatly blessed by God through the all surpassing grace that was extended to us upon the cross of Calvary. We are transformed when we place our trust and hope in Jesus Christ death on the cross. There will come a day when Jesus Christ will return and all who hold their hope in Him will be completely renewed and restored. “Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” Ecclesiastes 7:8 We may want to look back upon our lives and think that what we once had was of greater worth than the life of faith in Jesus Christ we live today. When we look back upon our presalvific existence with longing we are believing a lie that God is not sufficient for our present circumstances. ”Say not, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.” Ecclesiastes 7:10 Continue Reading…
The all surpassing provision of God to save: Ecclesiastes 5 and 6
Do you have a bucket list of things that you aspire to do before you die? What is on that list? Do you want to travel the world, own a specific home, earn a prestigious title, or make an exact sum of money? Do you have any hope of crossing off items on the list? Anything that we strive to accomplish will be a fleeting fulfillment that leaves us bereft and wanting no matter how hard we toiled. “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 5:10 There is nothing that we can acquire with our hands that will lift us out of our depravity into the life of fulfillment and wholeness we crave. Continue Reading…
We live, breathe, and endure because of God’s will: Ecclesiastes 3 and 4
Popular culture reflects upon the word and wonder of God without acknowledging His hand at work in creation. In the song ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’ by the Byrds they sing “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 The song by the Byrds is a melodic tune that easily gets caught in our minds but how often do we think about the true meaning to the words? What was Solomon imparting to us with these words in Ecclesiastes? Continue Reading…
Our inherent need fulfilled in the sovereignty of God: Ecclesiastes 1 and 2
Solomon, the son of David, was imparted with great wisdom beyond measure. This king of Jerusalem did not lack anything in his life. This life of Solomon is truly what many people today are striving to obtain. If I could just have more money, family, friends, and fulfillment I would be complete. We desire to surround ourselves with items that promise satisfaction for our every desire. Will you listen to the words of the man who had everything? What did Solomon think of life? ”Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.” Ecclesiastes 1:2-4 The length and breadth of mans life is but a small ripple in the ocean of eternity. How do we reconcile the futility of our lives with the vastness of creation? What are we living for? Continue Reading…
God’s voice of wisdom calling out to you: Proverbs Summary
Wisdom abounds within the pages of Proverbs; no matter what circumstance you find yourself in you will find hope, direction, and help from the wisdom of Proverbs. Read through Proverbs and you will find that behind all of the experience and wisdom imparted there is a voice that is calling out for you to know it. The voice is that of God who is seeking to save you from your sinful existence. “Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:3-7 Continue Reading…
A virtuous call to love God and those around us: Proverbs 31
What does Proverbs 31 mean to us today? Does the text only apply to women? What if your not married? It is easy and quite common to say that verses 10 through 31 are an exhortation for women depicting how they should live their lives. However, I believe that the scripture is profitable for everyone in every circumstance they find themselves in. Even through proverbs 31 speak of a woman’s conduct I believe that there is a call for everyone to live a virtuous life seeking God within the text. If we all seek to diligently follow God we will exemplify these virtues described in Proverbs 31. Continue Reading…
Seek to live a life that is an abomination to the wicked: Proverbs 29 and 30
“Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know!” Proverbs 30:4 Will you marvel at that wondrous creation of God? Know today that God is manifested through His handiwork in creating all things. Do not get too consumed with the things of this world because they are all passing away. To Agur son of Jakeh it was totally apparent and simple to know what mattered in life, “Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.” Proverbs 30:7-9 Do desire that all falsehood and lying be removed from you? Do you desire only what is necessary to sustain you? Be vigilantly on guard and do not become so consumed with the world and its enticements so that you forget God.
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The boastful worldview is the path of foolishness: Proverbs 27 and 28
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.” – (As You Like It, William Shakespeare) The prevalent view that is continually expressed by the world is one that exclaims that we are only here for a short time so we must be all that we can be. This worldview is in complete opposition against the ways of God. “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both. Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” Proverbs 27:1-6 Continue Reading…
The impact of wisdom seen in the simplicity of honey: Proverbs 23 and 24
How does wisdom impact our lives? How do we recognize the work of wisdom around us? What is offered to us by wisdom? Can we live life without wisdom? “My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 24:13,14 Solomon equates wisdom’s effect upon our lives to that of pure and fresh honey. How would you describe honey? Would you remark on the honey’s sweetness, consistency, appearance, or the different floral nuances inherent to different kinds?
Have we forgot how truly unique honey is because we are surrounded by so many sweetened products. Was honey prized in Solomon’s culture because the sugar contained in it could sustain them in the wilderness? If we didn’t have all the unnaturally sweet products that proliferate every convenience stores we would cherish honey and its sweetness with a renewed passion. Wisdom works in the same way upon our lives. We find peace, encouragement, and hope for today and tomorrow in wisdom. There are many different things that compete for our attention but none of them will sustain us as wisdom in our lives. The worries of the world overwhelm us when we don’t allow wisdom to guide our thoughts and motives. God is the true source of wisdom for all mankind. There are people of renown who claim to have great insight and wisdom but if it is not sourced in the limitless wisdom of God it is complete foolishness. We must consistently run to the pure wisdom of God for our sustenance instead of running to the various offerings of the world.
Do you find wisdom precious? Do you value God? You must make a decision of whether you will follow God or the ways of the world but based upon this decision you will either secure a future of hope that will never be cut off or your will find yourself cut off. What is your decision? The first step you must take is to acknowledge that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and that you are incapable of helping yourself. Is Jesus Christ your Savior? Do you desire the hope that is found in Jesus Christ? Will you trust Him today?
