Fri.’s Devo - Walking Wisely

 Read: Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:18; 2 Corinthians 7:8-16; Psalm 48:1-14; Proverbs 22:17-19

Solomon talks about the things that are worth more than money. A good reputation can’t be bought; it must be earned by having integrity. It is not the day of birth that is most important but the day of your death because then you have lived your life and hopefully done something to be worthy of praise. 

Going to a funeral, makes you contemplate your life as you celebrate the life of another. It makes you be more serious about living better. Being able to take criticism is wise. Being patient and forgiving is better than being proud and quick to anger.

Solomon tells us to protect our wisdom. It is like an inheritance that we need to regard with care. We are to be joyful both when we prosper, and in the day of adversity. Everyone will face death in the end but if you are wise, you will live longer than the fool.

Wisdom gives a person strength and power. 

Solomon warns men against women whose heart is evil. A man who fears the Lord can escape being caught by her, but sinners will fall into her lair. He is speaking from experience. 

Wisdom can be seen in the countenance of a person. No one knows how long they have to live on the earth, or if they will be delivered in times of calamity. No one but God knows how long the evil will live and prosper. 

It is wisdom to live righteously, then there is no fear of getting caught for doing wrong.  It is wisdom to enjoy life and the things God has given us. Whatever we do, we are to do it to the best of our ability. Solomon warns us that there is no wisdom in the place of the dead. None of us know when we are going to die. Death happens to the righteous and the evil. 

Solomon gives us a story about a poor man who saved his town with his wisdom and then was forgotten. He concludes with, “Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.”

It doesn’t matter if we are rewarded here on earth for what we do, it matters in eternity. All is recorded in God’s book and we will all stand before him one day and be held responsible for how we lived our lives on earth.

In Corinthians, Paul says he doesn’t regret having to rebuke them in his last letter, if it caused them to change and repent. Godly grief brings repentance which leads to salvation and life. The grief of the world leads to death. For the people in the church in Corinth, their grief lead to earnest repentance. 

Their repentance cause Paul to have comfort, and the way they received Titus refreshed his spirit. Titus came back boasting to Paul of their spiritual growth and obedience to do the right thing. It renewed Paul’s confidence in them.

The way Paul loves and cares for his churches is the same way the Lord loves and cares for us. He only wants our good and when he has to rebuke us and discipline us, it gives him great joy to see us repent and get back on the right track.

Lord, thank you for your care for us and your discipline. May we walk in wisdom and see things through your eyes of wisdom. May we consider our days and live them righteously and wisely.

Thurs.’s Devo - The Fear of the Lord

Read: Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 22:16

Solomon continues his sermon on wisdom. He has married hundreds of wives from different cultures and seen the worship of gods who required human sacrifices and all sorts of cruelty. He has seen the cry of the oppressed who had no one to comfort them. He has seen those who worked to keep up with the Jones’s. He has discovered that it is better to have peace in your life than striving to prove something to others and trying to get rich.

He states that it is better to have at least one faithful friend and two is even better. It is better to be poor and teachable than rich and stubborn. 

Solomon warns that when you go to worship the Lord, it is better to watch and listen than to offer sacrifices to some god. Consider how you worship the Lord and what you say and fear the Lord. But, if you promise the Lord something, you need to commit to carry out the promise. 

Solomon ponders if God is so concerned about the words that come out of our mouth, why does he allow people to be in control who pervert justice and oppress the poor? 

He knows by experience that if you love money, it will not bring you any happiness. He has witnessed rich people making bad investments and losing everything. The man who sleeps well at night is the man who has worked hard that day. The truth is that we can not take any of our money with us when we die.

Solomon sees that the truly joyful man is the person who is thankful for what he has and enjoys his lot in life. It is a tragedy to see a wealthy person not be able to enjoy his life. It would be better if this man was not born. A man who is never satisfied is worse off than a poor man who knows how to conduct himself with others. 

Solomon concludes that we cannot argue with God over our destiny. 

In Corinthians, Paul tells us not to be yoked with unbelievers because righteousness can not agree with lawlessness and light cannot fellowship with darkness. Since we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we have nothing in common with wickedness. 

God has chosen us to be his temple and to walk with us. He tells us to get out of the world and set ourselves apart. When we fear God, we become holy. 

Paul tells them to make room in their hearts for him and his workers because they are enduring much hardship to come to Corinth. 

All of the scripture we read today in Ecclesiastes, Corinthians and Psalms talk about the fear of the Lord and the advantages to fearing God. 

Lord, may we fear you in all we do. May we reverence your name and your creation. May all we do honor you and bring glory to your kingdom.  

Wed.’s Devo - Solomon's Ecclesiastes

Read: Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Psalm 46:1-11; Proverbs 22:15

Ecclesiastes means “one who addresses an assembly” or “teacher.” It was believed to have been written in the last years of Solomon’s life, since he describes all he has accomplished. It is his summation of life after observing it and living it to the fullest. His quest has been to find out the meaning of life and to find wisdom. He begins by saying that life is all vanity and ends his last chapter with repeating that statement. 

Solomon begins with all he has observed in his years of living. He concludes that there is nothing new under the sun and what is in the past is not remembered by the next generation.  Wisdom was what God gave Solomon at the beginning of his reign and it has caused him sorrow as he has observed life around him though the lens of wisdom. 

Solomon tested his wisdom by filling his life with pleasure. He found that it was useless. He tried drinking to cheer himself up and it didn’t work either. Then he tried building things and filling his surroundings with beauty, music and women. He became the richest man on earth and when he looked at all his striving he saw he had gained nothing eternal. 

He blamed his depression on the fact that he was so wise. He did conclude that being wise was better than being foolish and there was more to gain in light than in darkness. 

Solomon saw that all meet the same fate whether wise or foolish. They will all die and won’t know what will happen to all they accomplished. What will the next generation do with what he has done. 

He concluded that instead of being depressed it was better to find joy in life. There is a time for everything God created on this earth and in a lifetime. All will experience the same trials and emotions. 

Yet, God has put in eternity in every man’s heart. Everyone knows there is a hereafter, whether they admit it or not. So, everyone should take pleasure in their work and enjoy their life. All will one day stand before God and be judged for the way they lived the life God gave them. It is vanity to worry about what happens when one dies. 

In Corinthians, Paul talks about vanity also. He says it is vain to not receive the grace of God that he is offering. This grace is salvation. Paul’s life was not full of all the luxuries that Solomon’s was. Paul’s life was full of afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonment, riots, labor, sleepless nights, and hunger. But what kept him though all that was the kindness of the Holy Spirit and the life and power of God. His weapon was righteousness. He was greatly punished in his life but rejoiced because he had everything money can’t buy. 

Lord, as we consider our lives may we see them through your lens. May we build so the next generation can thrive. May we live our lives with eternity in mind. 

Tues.’s Devo - The Happy Ending

Read: Job 40:1-42:17; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21; Psalm 45:1-17; Proverbs 22:14

God stopped his oracle to ask Job if he still wished to set him right after hearing about his majesty and wisdom. Job found that it was one thing to contend with man about God and another to contend with God face to face. He was overwhelmed with shame and could not speak.

Since Job had not only spoken against God, but accused Him of injustice, God challenges him to try and govern the world, as God by His power does, and punish the proud and wicked.

God asks Job if he can tame behemoth or leviathan the most feared animals on the earth. If he can’t bring them under controls, then how could he govern the world.

In Chapter 42, Job humbly admits he is weak compared to God and his omnipotence. He admits that God is supremely just as the governor of the world and he confesses his wrong in speaking what he didn’t understand. Now that he sees who God really is, he repents with great sorrow and shame.

Next, God speaks to Eliphaz and tells him he is angry with him and his two friends because they did not speak rightly as Job has. God tells them what they can do to make things right with him and with Job. They are to take an offering to Job and let him pray for them. They obey and do this and Job prays for them. 

Then everything that Job lost was restored to him doubly. God even gave him more children and many more years of joyful living. 

In Corinthians, Paul tells us that God knows us and he hopes that we understand this. All that matters is what God sees in our hearts. We no longer live for ourselves worrying about what others think of us, but we died to that old self and now live for Christ. He lives through us and controls our affairs. 

We now see believers, not what they used to be, but as a new creature in Christ. We have been given that gift to be able to see others as changed and new. We have been made new and so have others. We are witnesses and carriers of God’s righteousness.

Lord, may we rise and shine in your glory and righteousness. May we not fall to the temptations of the devil and walk in condemnation but may we walk in the freedom Christ gave us. May we be controlled by your Spirit in wisdom and power. 

Mon.’s Devo - God Speaks

Read: Job 37:1-39:30; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10; Psalm 44; 9-26; Proverbs 22:13

Elihu finishes his thoughts speaking of the weather, the thunder and lighting, the snow and ice, and the clouds and points out how God directs all of them. Animals know how to find a place of refuge when a storm is coming how much more should man find their shelter in God who will keep them safe in the time of final judgment.

God finally speaks and with question after question to Job and Job is finally humbled. God explains the creation of the world as he made it. It is a very awesome and majestic feat. God orchestrated and still orchestrates nature and did it all through wisdom. He questions if Job had anything to do with creation. Of course, the answer is, “No.”

In Corinthians, Paul explains the wonder and beauty of God’s grace which is being extended to more and more people so that more and more are thankful to God and his glory is expanded greater on the earth. 

Our natural body is wasting away, but our inner self is being renewed greater and greater every day. Our afflictions prepare us to be able to carry the weight of God’s glory. Everything we see right now will pass away, but what we can’t see is what is going to remain. 

God has made us a home which is eternal. Our temporary bodies will be clothed with God’s glory and we will be swallowed up by life. God’s Spirit is our guarantee this will happen. 

God wants us to have courage and walk by faith, not by sight. While we are waiting this to happen, we make it our aim to please the Lord, knowing we will all stand before him in judgement. We will all be rewarded for what we have done on earth.

Lord, may we be able to stand before you unashamed on the day of judgment. May our works be your works and may we have walked this life by faith and hope. Prepare us to carry the full weight of your glory and may we submit to your pruning and discipline now that we might be rewarded for our obedience later.

Sun.’s Devo - Elihu Continues

Read: Job 34:1-36:33; 2 Corinthians 4:1-12; Psalm 44:1-8; Proverbs 22:10-12

Elihu calls them to consider what Job said. Job said that he has been good in vain, which not only offends God’s children, but gives gratification to God’s enemies. Elihu told Job that God didn’t afflict him to harm him, but to cause him to grow spiritually. God does not nor can he do wickedness. 

Job had wanted to present his case before God, and Elihu asks “Why?” because God only does what is good and right. Who are we to question?

Job’s other friends wanted to prove that Job did wrongly, but Elihu wants to say that Job spoke wrongly. He advises Job to ask the Lord what his sin is and ask God’s forgiveness and sin no more. 

In Chapter 35, Elihu reproves Job for justifying himself more than God, and called his attention to the heavens. God is very far away and out of reach of helping man. He should be grateful that he has much more than he deserves. 

Elihu points out that Job complained that God didn’t regard the cries of the oppressed. His answer to this is that men don’t see the mercy they are given by God and are not thankful for all he has done for them, so why would God help them. God gives man the ability to endure suffering and even rejoice in it. When man isn’t thankful for what God does for him and only complains about what he doesn’t do, he hinders God from being able to help him. He says we need humble ourselves before God. 

Elihus says it is wrong to only trust God when things are going good. There is coming a day of judgement when all things will be sorted out and things will be made right. In the meantime, we need to be grateful, do right and trust God.

In Chapter 36, Elihu says that because Job hasn’t humbled himself, his trial has continued. All of Job’s calamities are for his good. Job is to learn that God is righteous in all his ways. All of this is for Job’s cleansing so he can stand righteous before God in the end. He warns Job not to continue his quarrel with God and never to favor sin, or participate in it. Instead of pridefully standing up to God, he should humble himself and accept his punishment. It is crazy for him to think he can teach God anything. 

Elihu points out that the righteous man sees all God has made and should rejoice and gives him glory, but the sinner ought to see his creation and tremble. Man is blessed when he can see God’s presence even in hard times. His loving kindness is always there, even when we don’t see it.

In Corinthians, Paul says that in all he has been through, he has not lost heart. He has not used underhanded schemes, or tampered with God’s word, but has spoken the truth. Even though the veil has clouded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the truth, they have seen God’s glory and his light has shined in the darkest places. 

We have been given this light from God because we have given our live to Christ. Through our death, Jesus is raised in our hearts to life. He now lives through us.

Lord, may we allow you to live through us today to bring light and life to the world.  

Sat.’s Devo - Elihu Speaks

Read: Job 31:1-33:33; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; Psalm 43:1-5; Proverbs 22:8-9

Job finishes his last statements and it is like he is going through a mental check list of sins he has refrained from. He has not lusted after a woman, walked in deceit, enticed another woman, or given his wife to other men. He has cared for the needs of his servants and listened to their complaints. He has given to the poor and helped the widow and the fatherless. He has not trusted in gold or his wealth. He has not rejoiced with his enemy fell into hard times. He has no secret sins but has lived in fear of the law. He has not taken anything he didn’t pay for. 

Job wants to know what crime he is accused of that all this has come upon him. Then he is finished talking.

A much younger man named Elihu had been present to hear all the words of Job and his three friends. When he realized they were through talking and none of them had come up with a solution that made Job take any responsibility for his plight, he sat there getting madder and madder. He finally spoke up. 

Elihu explained that he may be much younger than them, but it is God that causes a person to have understanding - not the amount of years they have lived. Since none of Job’s friends were able to get to Job, God will. Elihu was bursting to tell his mind because he believes he has the mind of God. 

Elihu repeats what Job has spoken and tells him that he feels God has counted Job as an enemy but he says this is wrong. God is not like man - he is greater. God doesn’t speak like man speaks. God speaks through our dreams and warns us of our sin. Angels and heavenly mediators deliver man from hell. God can renew man to his youth and restore his righteousness to him. God does this over and over for man. 

Elihu says he desires to justify Job and teach him wisdom. We will read the rest tomorrow. In the end, God doesn’t rebuke Elihu like he does the other three friends. 

In Corinthians, Paul says that they are his letter of recommendation because they are the fruit of his labor. That is what God calls us. We are his witnesses to the world. They should be able to watch our life and see God through us. God has given us his Spirit which is life. The word of God written on stone tablets was the law.  Moses came from the presence of God with his glory on him. It was so strong he had to veil his face. But, the glory of God that comes through Jesus is much more brighter and we carry that glory. 

When unbelievers read the law, the veil is still there, but the Spirit takes away the veil through believing in Christ. We can see and experience the glory of God in his Word. 

Lord, may your light shine through us today. May we be your glory on the earth that the veil may be lifted from many eyes and hearts. Let your kingdom come!