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God’s Truth for Trying Times - 3/29/20

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God’s Truth for Trying Times - 3/29/20

 

We need God’s truth in trying times. Read the Scripture passage, think about what it is saying, then pray; by yourself or with your household. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16).

 

READ: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

 

“I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be counted. I said in my heart, "I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge." And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind. For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.” (Ecclesiastes‬ ‭1:12-18‬)

 

CONSIDER: This is a bit of a difficult passage, but it really gets unlocked when you notice that Solomon is speaking autobiographically about his faults. At a time when kings were expected to toot their own horn and praise themself, Solomon humbly tells the truth about his failings. He’s sharing a testimony of how at one point in his life he wandered from God, stopped following what the Word says, and followed what his heart told him instead. He searched the world over for wisdom and found it wanting. He’s basically telling us: Don’t make the same mistake I did! It will leave you empty. We can’t figure this out! Life only makes sense when it is seen through the lens of God’s authoritative Word. Man’s wisdom fails. Trust the faithful Word of God! #LivingInLightofDying (Keep in mind that Ecclesiastes is about how a believer should live in light of their inevitable death. Redeem the time for Jesus and the Gospel!)

 

THINK: What does this declare about God? What are God’s people being called to do? What assurance is given? All the things that Solomon was doing with his heart he should’ve been letting the Word of God do to his heart. How can you guard your heart against failing in the same way?

 

PRAY:‬‬ Pray these verses to God as a prayer. Pour out your heart in praise to God. Pray for others. Present needs to Him.