Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
Life is busy, much is happening and internet access will be limited so if devotions are not as regular during this season please be patient while we transition.
“Some things you will never understand.” Wise words spoken recently by a dear soul who then added, “Sometimes we need to stop trying to understand.” I wasn’t sure I agreed, so I went to the Word and God led me to the book of Ecclesiastes where Solomon proclaims all is vanity and a chasing after the wind.
One of the most difficult things for us to do as humans is to stop trying to figure things out. We want to make sense out of life; we look for reasons, a purpose, a plan. We want to know why and how and what for! And where does it usually get us? Solomon figured it out – we end up more confused and discouraged, either from failing to understand or from understanding all too clearly. Often we end up chasing the wind and finding ourselves in the middle of a great storm. So what are we to do?
Psalm 119:27 provides a calm in the storm. Instead of chasing the wind trying to understand all the whys and hows of life, we would do well to apply ourselves to understanding the teaching of God’s Word and meditate on His wonders. Only there will we find true peace and stop chasing the wind.
Our dedication to serve our Lord should stem from a heart of love that longs to be pleasing in His sight, but as humans we all need a little extra motivation from time to time. Our God is so wise and so loving that He even provides the motivation right there in His Word. Freely He gives and freely He rewards.
In Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, God reveals clearly the rewards for those who overcome.
How’s that for motivation to be an overcomer!
“Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, For they shall eat the fruit of their doings.”
[Isaiah 3:10 NKJV]
Devotions have been sparse this week while our family has enjoyed the fruit of answered prayer. All is well.
Seven times the Lord said, “Let him hear.” In Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, the Almighty God through Christ, His son and His ministering angels, sent personal messages to the seven churches.
His intended audience, however, is much larger.
Clearly revealed in His repetition…
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
[ Revelation 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:29, 3:6, 3:13, 3:22]
Can we not, with great certainty know, that what He said was of importance? Should we not heed His words?
Disputes have been around for as long as mankind. Adam and Eve attempted a dispute with their Creator as they looked to place blame. Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent. It was a short dispute and they lost, but it was the beginning.
Moses decided he should be the one to settle the people’s disputes, but his wise father-in-law knew it would be too much for him – so many disputes one man cannot carry. Only one is wise enough to settle man’s disputes, the Lord.
Many disputes arise over what man considers gray areas of the Bible, but in the wisdom of the Almighty there is no gray; only black and white, truth and untruth. Disputes will arise. It is a matter of opinion, we often say. The challenge is, are we willing to take our disputes to God? Are we willing to spend time in His Word seeking truth? Are we willing to pray without ceasing when the lines are blurred and rest in the knowledge that God’s opinion is the only one that counts.
The beauty of God’s creation and the changing of the seasons prompt me to consider as well the seasons of life.
There are full seasons and empty seasons; seasons of joy and seasons of sorrow. Thankfully they are just that – seasons. Here for a time, not for eternity.
Trees become bare and green ground is replaced with brittle brown, but spring will come again.
Isaiah 61 reminds us that Christ shall return and there will be a final season for His children.
and we shall display the splendor of Christ as autumn trees display the splendor of His Creation.
“Against me earth and hell combine,
But on my side is power divine;
Jesus is all, and He is mine!”
Charles Spurgeon
Have you ever had to stop and ask for directions? Or maybe you should have but didn’t, so you wandered around in circles until you found your way. In that respect there can be many ways to get somewhere: the easy way or the hard way, the short way or the long way. Many times we watch children do something and think there is an easier way.
When it comes to eternity there are varying beliefs on how you get to heaven and what it will be like. Who will rule and what the rewards will be. How soon you get there, if everyone gets there or only a select few; these multiple theologies may seem to coexist here on earth, but can they all really be the Way?
When we get lost and need directions we have a choice: we can seek help or wander around until we find our way. Oh there is a third option – give up! However, there are only two outcomes. We will either end up at the destination or we won’t.
Jesus said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. “ [John 14:6]
The destination won’t change, the route won’t change – there is only one way, but the destination for those who remain lost or give up is quite different…
Luke 16:23-26
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
So which way will you choose?
We rejoice and delight in You;
we will praise Your love more than wine.
How right they are to adore You!
[Song of Solomon 1:4]
It is poetic, it is a love song, it is adoration of our loving God!
Have you read it lately?
