Bible Pathways - July 30, 2009
July 30
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Our relationship to our Creator is stressed in today's reading. We continue studying man's problems. Despite wisdom, death is certain. Beware of a little folly. Now we find the conclusion of the matter. Good advice for the natural man is in the concluding verses: Hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His Commandments. . . . For God shall bring every work into judgment (12:13-14).
We have a choice of how we spend each day of our lives, but we cannot relive our lives. We can waste it on pleasures of this life, as we are so prone to do. Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment (11:9). How much better it is to remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them (12:1).
God is our Creator and the Source of all true pleasure and satisfaction The writer speaks from experience when he tells the world that only God can satisfy. He would urge all to worship and serve the Lord. To do the will of God is to choose the best in life.
Satisfaction in life results from giving one's time, talents, and resources to fulfill the will of God. This is the only true source of happiness, peace of mind, and genuine enjoyment in life. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained (planned) that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10).
Therefore, it is foolish to seek riches, security, power, popularity, or earth's fleeting goals in life merely for temporary self-satisfaction. It is also self-destructive to give way to the lust of the flesh (gratification of the physical nature), and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (I John 2:16).
God deserves to be glorified in all His Creation: The heavens declare the glory of God (Ps. 19:1) in obedience to His eternal laws of the universe. We can only glorify God by being submissive to His will as revealed in His Word. The Christian's transformed nature will express the divine nature of God, reflecting His Truth, His Love, His Righteousness.
Unlike Solomon who had many regrets — he confessed: I hated life (Eccl. 2:17) — in striking contrast David, the one who remembered his Creator from the days of his youth, was able, in his old age, to say with satisfaction: In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Ps. 16:11).
Thought for Today:
Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord (Ps. 150:6).
Christ Revealed:
In the statement: God shall bring every work into judgment (Eccl. 12:14). Jesus will judge all, for the Father (God) judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son (Jesus) (John 5:22).
Word Studies:
10:15 he knoweth not how to go to the city = he is ignorant concerning the skills of administration such as how to buy or sell in the city; 12:11 goads = rods sharpened at the ends, used in driving oxen (Judg. 3:31; I Sam. 13:21); The words of the wise are as goads = The words of wisdom rouse into profitable action to do right.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Shortwave Broadcasts in memory of Iva Ann McElroy • Staff: Clarence Rathbone • Government Official: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (CA) • Country: United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, & Wales) (59.4 million) off the coast of western Europe • Major languages: English and Welsh • Religious freedom • 55% Anglican; 16% Catholic; 6% Other Protestant; 2% Muslim; .9% Sikh; .8% Hindu; .6% Jewish; .2% Buddhist; 10.5% Other; 5% Unaffiliated • Prayer Suggestion: Pray, in faith, for God to work a miracle (II Kin. 4:33-34).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 7
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 9:38
