Thur.’s Devo - Perspectives of Life

Read: Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 22:16 Solomon at the end of his life was very reflective and depressed. He saw all the suffering in the world and it overwhelmed him that there was no easy answer. He could only see from man’s perspective so it looked hopeless and unproductive to live. He saw loneliness as a real sadness. Everyone needs a friend and life is easier if you have a partner. Three is even better. He gives us a clue about dreams. If your life is too busy and you have no time to reflect and rest your brain, then your dreams will reflect that. He and James would agree that our mouth can get us in a world of trouble. He warns us from making vows to God and not fulfilling them. Next he addressed the sin of loving money. Those who love money, never have enough. Their friends are there only to help them spend it and it will slip through their fingers. If you hoard it - it can harm you, if you invest it - you might lose it all. Sadly, Solomon could find no peace or fulfillment to life. He did find one thing he considered good: to enjoy the fruit of one’s labor and the lot that God had chosen for them. Solomon saw that the tragedy was when someone have been blessed with great wealth and never have the time to enjoy it and it goes to another when they die. He did come to some good conclusions: enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Dreams unfulfilled are pointless. Our destiny has been decided by God and it is the best plan. Paul gives us his own wisdom about life. He warns us from making a partnership with an unbeliever. We are not like those of the world because God lives in us and walks with us. He is our God and he called us out of darkness into his light. Paul was facing persecution and opposition but God sent him Titus to encourage him and tell him how excited the church in Corinth was about him coming to visit and how they loved him. This meant everything to Paul and gave him new energy to keep going. Lord, thank you for the people you give us to encourage us in our walk and destiny. Thank you that you walk in us and with us and we are never alone.