Mon.’s Devo - Have Hope

Read: Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-77; Psalm 47:1-9: Proverbs 22:16
When you look for oppression, you become depressed. Solomon said of the oppressed twice that they have no comforter. Paul, today, said that God comforts the downcast. He spoke of joy in the midst of harassment and fear.
Solomon said that all labor and all achievement springs from man’s envy of his neighbor. In Proverbs 31:31 he said, “Give her the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” God praises and rewards hard work.
He did say some very wise things also, like: “Two are better than one” and “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Solomon also talked about a wise youth and an old foolish king. I can’t help but think he is referring to David and King Saul. But he says that the people liked David until he became king. You can taste the bitterness in his soul.
Solomon also said, “Whoever loves money never has money enough: whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.” I have to say that this was an accurate observation. It is only when we realize that none of it is ours that it doesn’t matter what we have or don’t have.
Solomon ends with, “all of man’s efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied. What advantage has a wise man over a fool?” So, his conclusion is that being good or wise has no reward so why have wisdom in the first place. Reading Ecclesiastes is depressing if you don’t understand the condition of Solomon’s heart; then it is just revelation of how the world without God thinks.
Paul, on the other hand tells us not to be yoked with unbelievers. There is no fellowship or agreement with them. He urges them to cleanse themselves from everything that contaminates their body and spirit. We become holy out of our reverence to God.
Lord, we make room for You in our hearts. Purify our cynicism and lack of faith and fill it with hope and your power. With you nothing is impossible.