Heavenly Father, it gives me pleasure to greet You this beautiful day, upon which I come aside to rest from busyness, to worship and celebrate all Your creative works. I am truly grateful for another day of life, and the opportunity to come to know You a little better and Your will for me. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit, as I contemplate, discuss and apply my chosen scripture verses, for this week.
Ecclesiastes can have some somewhat difficult passages, but the following give direction, Eccl. 1:12 “I, the Preacher, was king over Jerusalem.” Here was a man whom had been singularly blessed, in talents, goods and wisdom, yet along the way got side tracked on ways that were not directed by his God, and in the end found in his excesses, and seeking of worldly knowledge and wisdom, absolutely no joy or satisfaction. From the same experiences has come similar disillusionment for many people since that time. Verse 14 “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.” In much of Lamentations, the Preacher reports he tested every popular way to give life meaning, happiness and fulfillment, and did not find them there. The writer who had previously loved God, and been abundantly blessed by Him, found apart from God, knowledge, power, prestige, wealth and ‘high living’, had not filled his deepest emotional needs. But when all creative works and the living of life is seen in the way God has revealed, then everything takes on new meaning, causing that person, to eat of Gods bounty with thankfulness, be mindful of the needs of others, and with happiness and purpose, be able to reverence God and keep His commandments. I can affirm that I also have found that God is faithful, loving and merciful; and l with all my heart seek to live out His will for me. Having given my heart and life to God, out should go anything, no matter how ‘darling’, that hinders my relationship with Him. 2 Corinthians 6: 16 “And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.’”
Lamentations 3: 22, 23 “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed. Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Never a man spoke his words of praise to God, out of a more tragic, personally unfulfilling life within threatening circumstances. Throughout, he was often lamenting the wickedness and non-repentance of the people, when he delivered the directions and severe rebukes from the Lord. However during this time, Jeremiah triumphed in his faith in God, Verses 24 – 26 “’The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I hope in Him!’ 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him. To the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” As I reflect upon these words, I wonder why at any time, I ever presume to be impatient or complain about any of my life circumstances.
My Saviour Jesus Christ, when on earth, had much harassment, trial, then persecution and death. As His children, we have been promised, everlasting love and mercy, sufficient for the hardest times, and at the other end of the grave, the promise of eternal life. Whilst on earth, Jesus spoke words, that when believed, were to comfort and prepare us for waiting and hard times; such as John 16: 33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Luke 21: 26 “Men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
I thank Jesus, for all His words of comfort and warning, for example, Luke 21: 28 “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” It is my conviction that no ‘darling indulgence’ or the following of the dictates of any person is worthwhile for me, if it means I reject Jesus or any of scripture. One future day, I plan on hearing the words, Luke 22: 28, 29 “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me”
Thank You, dear Jesus.