March 31 -- "The Lying Prophet"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 13

"The Lying Prophet"

You must be careful never to let someone’s age, status, experiences, or declarations persuade you to disobey a direct word from the Lord. Just because someone “seems” to be in touch with the Lord, this is not enough of a reason to listen to and obey their word. You must stay true to the word of God.

In 1 Kings 13, we have an instructional incident involving a young prophet (aka “man of God”). This young prophet encountered an older prophet, who invited him to dinner. At first, the young man refused this invitation because he had been commanded by God not to eat or drink while in Bethel. God had specifically told him to return to Judah without accepting hospitality.

But the older prophet insisted. He tried to turn the young prophet away from what God had told him to do.  He lied to him about a so-called “revelation” that he says he received from the Lord, I received a word from the Lord telling me to bring you back to my home to eat and drink.” In fact he tells him, “an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD.” According to verse 18, this was a lie. This so-called prophet from Bethel gave a false word from God, trying to persuade the younger man to change his course from doing exactly what God had told him. Tragically, the young man listened to bad counsel rather than obeying a direct word from the Lord.

The lesson for us is this: We must obey God rather than man, even when man professes to be in contact with God and gives us a “word from the Lord.” When we have received a direct command fresh from the lips of Christ, we must act on it, and not be turned aside by a different suggestion, made to us through the lips of professing Christians.

This young prophet was persuaded to disobey God’s direct command for several reasons. First, because of his age. The prophet from Bethel was older, thus he was afforded a certain credibility as one who was more experienced. Second, because of his profession of being “a prophet of God.” The younger man thus identified him as one with wisdom and authority. Third, because of an alleged supernatural miracle. The older man declared that “an angel” had spoken to him. If true, this would certainly be reason to sit up and take notice of his message. Finally, because the older prophet declared his words as “a word from the Lord.”

As a Christ-follower, it is vital to exercise your God-given discernment and obey what the Lord has spoken to you. If someone in a position of spiritual authority (pastor, elder, evangelist, preacher, prophet) gives you a word that contradicts the word God has given directly to you, (even if they are older, more experienced, have greater status, and declare miraculous happenings) you must reject their word and stay true to God’s word. 

March 30 -- "Choose Your Counselors Wisely"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 12

"Choose Your Counselors Wisely"

After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam succeeded him as the king of Israel. One of Rehoboam’s first challenges came in the form of a demand from the populous to lighten their burden of forced labor and heavy taxation. Led by a man named Jeroboam (the son of Nebat from the tribe of Ephraim), the nation approached the new king and petitioned him to lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that his father had imposed on them.

Throughout the history of mankind, heavy taxation has repeatedly been the cause of revolt and revolution. There seems to be a pattern among successful nations that, as the nation prospers, the government grows. As the government grows, more taxes are imposed to cover the expenses of operating the government and its burgeoning bureaucracies. As taxes increase, the citizens become more and more burdened, more and more dissatisfied, and look for some relief. In the end, if these levels of excessive taxes are not lowered, the people revolt and the government is at risk of being overthrown.

This is the situation that faces Rehoboam in the early days of his reign – should he listen to the people and lower their burden? Or should he continue “the previous administration’s” policy of big government and high taxes? He doesn’t know what to do, so he turns to his teams of advisers.

The elder team of advisers gives him wise counsel and tells him to “give them a favorable answer.” If you do, they say, you will have won their hearts and “they will always be your loyal subjects.” The younger team of advisers gives him the opposite advice, telling him to display his power and authority by telling them you are going to make their burden even heavier. Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead accepted the opinion of the young men. Predictably, this decision led to revolt, civil war, and the division of the Nation.  The people decided they had had enough and would not put up with his tyranny.

Rehoboam was a leader who did not know two truths about leadership: (1) that a leader is a servant of the people, not the other way around; (2) the best counsel is often found in the older, wiser advisers. The elder men had observed Solomon and knew from experience what would work and what wouldn’t work with the people. Sadly, Rehoboam took the wrong advice. He listened to the counsel of those who knew nothing about leadership, nor how to elicit a loyal following from the people. The lesson for us is this: Choose your counselors wisely and give greater credence to those with experience and a reputation for godly wisdom.

March 29 -- "The Truly Beautiful Woman"

 Today’s Reading: Proverbs 31

"The Truly Beautiful Woman"

Proverbs 31 is a wonderful tribute to women. Specifically, to the woman who fears God. The one that God honors because she honors God. The virtuous woman. The one who is a truly beautiful woman. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband praises her. What a blessing they are to us. What a value. What a joy. What an asset. You couldn't buy her with rubies. Her value is far above them. What an asset they are to their family, and to God.

Here in verse 30, the author (king Lemuel) contrasts how the world values and praises women with how women are valued and praised in God’s kingdom. He summarizes the entire chapter by saying charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the fear of God.

Charm is deceitful. While the world may value “charm,” the reality is that it is deceitful and can be very misleading. The Hebrew word for “charm” here means to be pleasant and graceful in appearance. But watch out, that appearance can be disingenuous. This means that someone may appear to have your best interest in mind, but they are actually tricking you to get what they want. This, sadly, is the way of the world. This is deceitful. They say one thing, and mean another. This type of charm is not to be praised.

Beauty is vain. The word used here for “vain” is the same word Solomon used in Ecclesiastes – “hevel,” – which literally means “vapor” or “smoke.” Physical beauty is like “smoke” – it may appear as though it has substance, but when you try to grasp it and hold onto it, it quickly vanishes. A woman’s physical appearance is temporary and fleeting – like a vapor which appears for but a moment then disappears.

The woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Don’t praise the woman whose outward appearance is misleading or fleeting. Instead, praise a woman for her heartfelt devotion to God. Her reverence for God is genuine (not deceitful like charm). Her inner beauty is permanent (not like physical beauty which fades). The Hebrew word for “fear” in this verse is “yir’â”. When used of God, this word means to have a deep and somber respect and reverence for Him. When a woman is filled with this kind of reverence for God, she is truly beautiful. It is her relationship with God that is a beautiful thing and that makes her the most beautiful of all of God’s creations.

This is the woman who is to be praised.

March 28 -- "His Word Proves True"

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 30 

"His Word Proves True"

Does science disprove the Bible? Does history disprove the Bible? Does archaeology disprove the Bible? Do dinosaurs disprove the Bible? Do seemingly implausible accounts of miracles disprove the Bible? Many have tried to disprove the Bible and every time they’ve tried, they have failed miserably. As we read here in Proverbs 30, “Every word of God proves true!”

Above all other books in the world combined, the Bible has been hated, vilified, ridiculed, criticized, restricted, banned, and destroyed, but it has never been disproven. Many have endeavored to disprove its facts, figures, stories, and other content, but have failed to do so. In fact, over the course of history, hundreds of “scholars” have not only failed to disprove the Bible, but have turned their lives over to the God of the Bible as a result of their research and study. As they uncovered the message of the Bible and became convinced of its reliability, they became followers of Jesus Christ.

One of the more famous Bible skeptics in recent years was Josh McDowell who set out “to write a book that would make an intellectual joke of Christianity.” His goal was to prove Christianity a “sham.” But, as he delved into his research, he began to hear the “still, small voice” of God speaking to his heart and convicting him of the “intellectual dishonesty” he was practicing. This conviction created an enormous internal conflict in his mind, will, and emotions. As a result, one night at his home in Michigan, “at the end of my second year at the university, I became a Christian.” His conclusion was, “After trying to shatter the historicity and validity of the Scripture, I came to the conclusion that it is historically trustworthy.”  Josh went on in 1979 to publish his findings in the book, “Evidence That Demands A Verdict” (Thomas Nelson Publishing, 1979)

Josh McDowell’s conclusion (along with the conclusions of thousands of other former skeptics) was, EVERY WORD OF GOD IS TRUE! All of the revelation of God is free from error, and you can rely on it fully. Though not a science book, every science matter on which is speaks is completely accurate and reliable. Although not a history book, every historical account it presents is completely accurate and reliable. Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to Him for protection. Do not add to His words, nor take away from His words, or He may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.

March 27 -- "It's All True!"

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 9 

"It's All True!"

What a joy it is when others see something positive in our lives and it gives them a glimpse of God’s love, wisdom, and power. King Solomon’s reputation for superior wisdom had become renown throughout Israel and the neighboring countries. So much so, that the Queen of Sheba in northwest Arabia came to Jerusalem to put Solomon's wisdom to the test. 

After she witnessed it for herself, she exclaimed, “It’s all true! Your reputation for accomplishment and wisdom that reached all the way to my country is confirmed. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it for myself; they didn’t exaggerate! Such wisdom and elegance—far more than I could ever have imagined.”

The Queen went on to heap treasures, rewards, and praises upon Solomon and Israel. In her words of praise, she clearly gives God the glory. By her extravagant gifts and her flattering words, she acknowledges (perhaps unknowingly) three truths about God and His dealings with mankind.

First, she acknowledges that it is God’s love for Israel that has brought about such a successful and powerful kingdom. “God’s love is behind this,” she says. What a joy it is when others see something positive in our lives and it gives them a glimpse of God’s love. The very act of establishing and setting apart this one nation for God’s purpose was a show of His deep love.

Second, she acknowledges that God is the one who institutes kingdoms and rulers. She said, “He has made you king over them.” This truth is confirmed in Daniel 2:21 – “It is He [the LORD] who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who know understanding.”  This confirms that all governmental authority derives its power from God who grants such power. According to Romans 13:1, “All authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”

Third, she recognizes that the primary purpose of human government is to “execute justice and righteousness.” The role of governments is to seek, serve, and promote the common good of the people. Based on the truth of the dignity and value of every human being, justice means to give each person that which is due and which, expressed negatively, means to punish evil and, expressed positively, to promote good. Governments aren’t there so the elites can benefit themselves. They exist to benefit the governed. Governments exist solely at the behest of God and are called to govern their citizens with justice and righteousness. Any nation that exists for any other reason or which has corrupted God’s purposes, is doomed to failure.

March 26 -- "Solomon's Syncretism"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 11

"Solomon's Syncretism"

Despite his many great qualities and his deep wisdom and insight, Solomon had a weakness – a character flaw – which led to his decline and downfall later in life. He was inclined to dabble with idolatry. He never openly or fully walked away from Yahweh. Never fully rejected his Jewish worship roots. Yet, due to the influences of the many women in his life, he was drawn away into the worship of their “strange gods.”

While Solomon continued to worship at Yahweh’s Temple in Jerusalem, he also undertook the construction of many pagan temples in and around the city. Then he would join in with his wives in the idolatrous and pagan practices of those temples. Thus Solomon, with all of his wisdom, all of his blessings, and all of his Jewish roots, disobeyed the commandment of the Lord and his heart gradually turned away from the Lord.  

Rather than blatantly turn away from Yahweh, Solomon attempted to create his “own flavor” of Judaism by blending together the worship of Yahweh and the worship of idols. Thus, Solomon became the author of SYNCRETISM – the merging together of two (or more) distinct and irreconcilable principles into an un-blendable composite. Syncretism is the attempt to harmonize differing or opposing ideas or principles. It is the fusion of different belief systems. The inevitable result of attempting to do so is that the composite no longer accurately represents the original belief system which must be discarded.

The lesson for all of us is this: You cannot merge God’s truth with any opposing ideas or belief systems and expect to stay true to God. The Bible clearly teaches us that we are not to worship idols nor adhere to their belief systems. To attempt to do so would be a betrayal of truth and inconsistent with the worship of God.

Syncretism is not the total abandonment of a faith.  It is way more insidious and dangerous.  It is taking aspects of a different faith and merging it into another.  

Christianity is the faith about following Jesus.  Syncretism is overwriting the beliefs of other faiths or cultures onto this practice.  The intent may not be to create something new.  It may be simply to adapt to the culture.  But it is impossible to mix anything with Jesus without creating something new and unholy. Adding anything to the life and teachings of Jesus and Biblical truth simply creates heresy. A heresy which may go by the label of “Christian,” but in reality, does not conform to the original article. 

Jesus plus anything is not the real Jesus. We cannot create a new without abandoning the old.  God does not take idolatry – nor syncretism – lightly. 

March 25 -- "The Grand Purpose of Life"

 Today’s Reading: Ecclesiastes 12 & 1 Kings 10

"The Grand Purpose of Life"

After years of painstaking research and investigation and experimentation, King Solomon is finally ready to reveal the results of his lifelong quest to understand the meaning of life. He has heard it all. He has listened closely to the arguments and lines of reasoning on every topic imaginable (beauty, goodness, health, wealth, status, relationships, sex, career, success, etc.). After weighing all the evidence and putting it all to the test, he reaches this final conclusion: Fear God and do what He tells you to do. This, he says, is the whole duty of man. The whole purpose for human existence is to discover God and enjoy a relationship with Him. There is no other point to life.

Sadly, so many people feel that life is pointless. They don’t find any meaning in life. Even if they attain to a high degree of success and personal enjoyment during their lifetime, they still wonder – what is it all for? Deep inside, despite their successes, they have a feeling of emptiness – a void at the center of their soul. I can think of nothing more tragic than for one to go through life and never discover “why” they exist.

But the truth is that LIFE HAS A GRAND PURPOSE! It is not pointless, nor meaningless, nor empty. There is a true purpose for your life here on earth. The Bible is very clear as to what our purpose in life should be. Solomon tells us that life is all about honoring God with our thoughts and lives and thus keeping His commandments, for one day we will stand before Him face-to-face. Our purpose in life, as God originally created humans, is to glorify God and enjoy fellowship with Him. You can spend your lifetime searching (as Solomon did), but you will never find a purpose grander than this.  God created man in His image (Genesis 1:26–27), thus man’s purpose cannot be fulfilled apart from Him.

The ultimate purpose of man, according to the Bible, is simply to glorify God. We fulfill this purpose by living our lives in relationship and faithful service to Him. The more we get to know our Creator and the more we love Him and the better we understand who we are and what our purpose is.

So, fear God and do what He tells you to do. This is the point of life.

March 24 -- "Think Before You Speak"

Today’s Reading: Ecclesiastes 10 & 11

"Think Before You Speak"

The wisdom of King Solomon is renowned in human history. Throughout the writings of Solomon we have an opportunity to learn in the classroom of one of the true geniuses of all time.

Of course, we know the source of Solomon’s great wisdom – God Himself! In a dream, God had invited Solomon to make a request – to ask for anything he desired. Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge to judge the people fairly and wisely. Yahweh was pleased with his request and granted to Solomon a wise and understanding heart. 

Solomon went on and became famous for his wise judgments. Solomon’s reputation spread to other lands, even as far as Sheba, in Arabia.  Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Solomon wrote most of the book of Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, the book of Ecclesiastes, and two Psalms. Within these writings, he captured for us many nuggets of profound wisdom.

Here in Ecclesiastes 10, Solomon makes a wise observation about how one uses their words. He contrasts the “wise man” with the “fool” and tells us that wise words bring favor, but fools are destroyed by their own words. The words of a wise person are gracious and well thought out. His/her words are carefully planned so as to bring acceptance and favor. The fool, on the other hand, just starts blurting out nonsense and ends up in self-destruction.

It has been said that, “A wise man speaks when he has something to say; but a fool speaks when he has to say something.” Biblically, this is so true. God has urged us many times in Scripture to control the words that come out of our mouth, and not to just let anything spew forth. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)

So, how are the words that come from your mouth? Are they good words? Are they wise words? Do they minister grace to your hearers? If not, take a moment now and surrender your tongue to God. Let the Holy Spirit speak His love and truth through you. “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” (Proverbs 21:23)

 

March 23 -- "Squint Your Ears"

Today’s Reading: Ecclesiastes 8 & 9 

"Squint Your Ears"

With all the shouting, it often makes it hard to hear the quiet voice of wisdom. In our society, it seems that riches, status, beauty and power are the things people admire. If a person lacks these, he/she is often ignored or despised, even though his/her quiet words of wisdom may save a nation from ruin or save a soul from darkness and despair. A poor man’s words are often despised and rejected while the voice of the so-called “celebrities” are celebrated and shouted loudly in the public square.

As is often the case with Scripture, God’s truth is quite the opposite of such worldly values. In God’s kingdom, the words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of the most admired public figure. God’s truth has a way of being the polar opposite of the world’s “truth.” Just listen for a moment to the wise men and women around you – even if you have to “squint” your ears to hear them. Their whispers will prove to be rich with God’s truth and His benefits. In their words you will find life. They are to be heard quietly and patiently.

Contrast the quiet words of the wise with the “shouts of a ruler among fools.” This phrase describes Twitter and Facebook and other social sharing applications amazingly well. With these social media platforms, we give every “ruler,” every “fool,” every “misguided individual” a means to shout their ill-advised and erroneous opinions and advice on every topic imaginable. And, of course, they present their story with such flair and enticing words, it can be easy for anyone to get drawn into their flawed viewpoint.

This is why we must use discernment to tune out the shouting voices of those who are opposed to God and His truth, and to listen intently to those whose quiet words will bring glory to God and wisdom to our souls. It is okay to turn off your social media (even if just for a season). It is okay to ignore the opinion-editorials pushed by the news media outlets. It is okay to turn off the “shouting” of the self-serving politicians and just sit quietly listening for God's words of wisdom.

Be still and listen. Hearken to God’s word. Pay attention to the quiet voices of the wise followers of Christ in your circle. Most importantly, listen closely for the “still, small voice” of God as the Holy Spirit speaks directly to you. Remember Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

March 22 -- "Taking the Bad with the Good"

 Today’s Reading: Ecclesiastes 7

"Taking the Bad with the Good"

Many times in my life, I’ve been told, “you have to take the bad with the good.” This saying means we should accept both the positive and negative aspects of something. It acknowledges that nothing is perfect and those things that seem perfect often do not remain so. Thing don’t always go the way you think they should. So, what should we do when things aren’t going our way? Here in Proverbs 7:14, Solomon advises us to “be” and to “consider.”

Be. “In the day of prosperity be joyful.” Don’t just pretend joy, but genuinely be joyful. Here, we are reminded by God to enjoy those moments of prosperity in life. By this He means not just financial blessing, but blessings of any type. When “good fortune” falls our way, we should relish the situation we are in and soak in the joy of it all. In these times, our response should be one of joyful thankfulness to our Creator and Father in Heaven who has chosen to bless us with a season of pleasure. Remember the Lord in these seasons. Reflect on the truth from Deuteronomy 8:18, “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth.”

Consider. “In the day of adversity consider that God has made the one as well as the other.” Here, the Lord is telling us to “take the bad with the good.” There will be seasons of adversity in our lives. We don’t relish these seasons, nor do we want them to come our way. But the truth is – adversity will come to all of us. And when it comes, we must not make the tragic mistake of thinking God has gone out of our lives or that He has abandoned us or that He is being mean to us. He has ordained and established the days, times, and seasons of your life. He has pre-planned your ups and downs. He knew in advance that you would be facing adversity, or poverty, or hardship. During these “bad times” you must be so careful not to “blame” God as though He is allowing something into your life that is not for your benefit. You must recognize that He is using this season of hardship as a time of spiritual growth in your life. During these times, He calls us to deepen our dependence upon Him and to trust Him to resolve our troubles on His schedule and in His mysterious ways.

So… BE joyful when things are good. CONSIDER God’s hand when things are bad. He has foreordained the ups and downs of our lives. He is still here. Trust His hand of love and grace. 

March 21 -- "Finding Your Pot of Gold"

Today’s Reading: Ecclesiasties 5 & 6 

"Finding Your Pot of Gold"

Are rich people really as happy and contented as society makes them out to be? Is there really a “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow”? Writer Rafael Badziag interviewed 21 billionaires for his book "The Billion Dollar Secret." What he found was that some billionaires are happy and some are miserable. And it was not because they had more money that some were happier than others. In fact, those who were happy and contented cited – not their riches – but family, freedom, and relationships as those things which brought them happiness.

The reality is that anyone who loves money and spends their life in pursuit of wealth will never be satisfied with what they have gained. There is an ever-elusive characteristic of living for money and possessions. He who has little, wishes he had more. He who has much, wishes he had more still. It is a never-ending struggle to try to find contentment through material wealth. Life will always be just "not enough." Living for riches and wealth is too big of a burden to bear. And it never satisfies the way we dream it will in our imaginations.

True contentment means to be happy with what you have, who you are, and where you are. It is respecting the reality of the present, appreciating what you have, and enjoying your relationships with God and others. If you count your blessings, rather than your problems, you will realize how beautiful your life is – even if you lack great riches. The Apostle Paul, confirms this truth from Solomon in 1 Timothy 6:8 – “Do your work, and if you have food, clothes, and a place to live, be contented.”  It doesn’t take great riches to live a happy and contented life. Those who believe it does, will end up sorely disappointed with what they find at “the end of the rainbow.”

The Bible urges you to, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5) Finding contentment in Christ happens when we abide in Him. Jesus confirmed this truth when He said, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

There is nothing greater than being joyful and content in our relationship with Jesus. He can fill our hearts with joy in both times of leanness and in times of plenty. So, don’t strive for riches. Strive to know Him more intimately and you will find your “pot of gold.” It is only there you will find lasting spiritual and eternal wealth.

March 20 -- "My Times are in His Hands"

Today’s Reading: Ecclesiastes 3 & 4

"My Times are in His Hands"

Just as our planet goes through the seasons of the year, we all go through “seasons” of life. We tend to embrace those seasons of life when there is growth, healing, building up, laughter, dancing, love, and peace. It is during these times that our appreciation for life deepens and our love for God grows. So often, we wish every season could be like these. By human nature, we just want to “let the good times roll.”

The movement of time was created by God and all times and seasons have been foreordained by God (see Genesis 1). The Lord our God has scheduled each day and season of our lives. By his providence God governs the world, and has determined particular things and operations to particular times.

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.

Just like our planet goes through bitterly cold winters and scorching hot summers, we also go thorough seasons of life where times are hard – sometimes agonizingly so. Nobody looks forward to nor enjoys these seasons. We pray fervently for these seasons to come to an end. We often get weary of how long the winter lasts before the warmth of spring comes forth.

But, we must recognize that God has ordained the hard times just as He has the good times of life.  Our loving Heavenly Father has pre-foreordained these seasons for each one of us. Just as we embrace the good times, we must learn to embrace the hard times as well, knowing they come from the hand of God and knowing that it is in these seasons our dependence upon Him grows leading to deeper faith, compassion, and resilience. 

As the Psalmist said, “My times are in Your hands” (Psalm 31:15).  Use these times to remember God’s blessings and to deepen your dependence upon Him. It is during these times that our flesh is burnt away and our spiritual maturity deepens.

Don't despair during the hard times - trust fully in Him and eventually the winter will thaw.

 

March 19 -- "Substance or Smoke?"

 Today’s Reading: Ecclesiastes 1 & 2

"Substance or Smoke?"

The primary viewpoint of the Book of Ecclesiastes is that most people spend their lives, energy, and emotions on pursuing things that will ultimately prove to be meaningless (beauty, goodness, health, wealth, status, career, success, etc.). Solomon describes these pursuits as “vanity” or “meaningless.” The Hebrew word he uses is “hevel,” which literally means “vapor” or “smoke.” Pursuing these meaningless things is like “smoke” – they may appear as though they have substance, but when you try to grasp them, they quickly vanish. They are temporary and fleeting – like a vapor which appears for but a moment then disappears.

This being the case, Solomon proposes the key question of life: Why use your life, energy, and emotions in pursuit of  “hevel”? Why not rather pursue things with eternal value and substance? Here in chapter 2, he contrasts two of those “things” – wisdom and foolishness. He decided to compare wisdom (which he considers “light”) and foolishness (“darkness”). His observation was this: since every human being shares the same fate – all are headed for the same ending (death, the grave) – then doesn’t it make more sense to pursue those things which will survive beyond the grave?

He emphasizes that there is more to gain in wisdom than in folly. The word “wisdom” means to be sensible, judicious, clever, prudent, and shrewd. This word is often used of a skilled warrior in battle – one who is well equipped and carries out his battles with strategy and skillful tactics. In the same way, we must look at life as a battle for eternity. We must spend our lives, energy, and emotions on fighting this battle with skill and wisdom. There is eternal life to be gained by those who do so. There is nothing but “the grave” for those who don’t. He goes on to say that light is better than darkness for the wise can see where they are going, but fools just grope around in the dark.

Jesus shared this same viewpoint in Luke 12:20-21 where he asked this question about a man who had spent his life in pursuing an “abundance of possessions” – “This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be? So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Throughout Ecclesiastes, Solomon struggles deeply with this question of meaningless vs meaningful pursuits and finally reaches this conclusion: “Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13) It is important to plan and prepare for your future in this life, but it is vastly more important to plan and prepare for your future in eternity.

March 18 -- "The Rod of Reproof"

 Today’s Reading: Proverbs 29

"The Rod of Reproof"

The Bible has much to say about parenting and raising children. Not the least of which is that parents have the solemn responsibility to raise their child in the ways of the Lord, teaching them His truth, and guiding their soul to eternal life. One of the greatest blessings a parent can receive is when they look at their child and see that they are walking with the Lord. As the Apostle John wrote, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth” (3 John 1:4).

One means of guiding our children into the ways of the Lord is to correct them and reprove them when they get off track. According to Proverbs 29:15, doing so gives them wisdom. There are nearly 40 verses in the Bible about the need to administer the “rod” when a child acts improperly or rebelliously. The literal understanding of this is to “spank” the child as the means of correction.

In our modern world, many reasons are given for not spanking a child. Most of those reasons assume that spanking is an act of anger or cruelty. Spanking, they say, is too harsh and abusive. They teach that discipline can be administered in various other ways such as reasoning with the child, giving them a “timeout,” or withholding some form of enjoyment (e.g. “screen time”). While these forms of correction do have their place, there are situations where it is not possible to reason with a child. In these situations, the Bible advises the rod of reproof as a means of correction and admonishment, especially when the child sets his/her will in direct defiance of the parent.

It is needful to balance these things with our children, and again, only the Lord can give the necessary wisdom. Some children have very tender consciences and are far more sensitive to reproof than others. They may need relatively few actual punishments. Others are born with strong wills and, when they are young, may need rather frequent visits from the “rod” to teach them.

Always keep in mind that any form of correction must always be done in love and with the motivation of guiding your child to be a happy and obedient follower of Christ. Discipline must never be done in anger or because you’ve “lost your temper.” And, most importantly, every visit from the “rod” must be followed immediately by genuine forgiveness by the parent and reconciliation with the child.

This is how God corrects us because He loves us. And, like Him, this is how we show love to our children.

March 17 -- "Who's Building Your House?"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 9 & Psalm 127

"Who's Building Your House?"

Psalm 127:1 is a powerful reminder that anything we build (or attempt to build) without God’s involvement and blessing cannot endure. The house of those who build their life apart from God and His word and His Spirit will ultimately come to nothing. That life, although adequate for a moment, will finally end up “in vain.” We must not work so hard to build something that God has not led us to, and empowered us to, and is orchestrating for His glory and kingdom. For all else, the glory will fade.

Having recently completed the construction of the Lord’s “House” in Jerusalem (the Temple), it is fitting that Solomon would be the writer of the words found in Psalm 127.  His simple point is, that no matter how hard a man may work, if God's blessing is not upon him, it will all go for nothing.

The phrase “builds the house” can be understood in the literal sense, as in building a house to live in. In this usage, Solomon is telling us that God must be the one leading and guiding and orchestrating our building project. It is useless for us to work so hard from morning to night if He is not involved in it. In Solomon’s case, the usage of this phrase referred directly to his construction of the Lord’s house at Jerusalem. He had learned that the most important aspect of his project was God’s involvement and blessing.

This phrase could also be taken to mean one’s “dynasty” or family regime. In Solomon’s day, as kings would amass wealth and power to themselves, it was known as “building their house” (as in “building the house of Caesar”). The idea here being that it does no good to create such an “empire” if God isn’t the power undergirding it. In our modern day, we might use the term “dynasty” to refer to elite or influential athletes or athletics. Those who are team members and supporters are considered “in the house” of that particular team. Building this type of “house” will end up in vain as time passes and the glory fades.

The most important usage of the phrase “builds the house” refers to our lives – the way we live and move and interact and influence; the person we marry; the business we start; the family we raise; the clubs we join; the church we attend; the ministries we serve. We are told in the New Testament that Jesus is the “Master Builder” and that we are the “Temple” of the Holy Spirit. His calling is for us to let Him build our lives. You can try to build your own life, perhaps by philosophy or pop religion or self-help influences. Or perhaps by education or your career or your investment portfolio. But any “house” not built by God will ultimately fail.

March 16 -- "Rebuke Equals Love"

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 27 

"Rebuke Equals Love"

Have you ever had to point out a failure in someone you love? The word “rebuke” means to verbally reprimand. The Hebrew word can be translated as rebuke, correction, reproof, admonish, chastise. It carries the idea of pointing out a fault or failure in another person so that he/she becomes aware of it and can make a correction in their behavior. Rebuke is never intended to be condemning or judgmental. It is intended as an act of love.

Rebuking someone you love is tough medicine and no one really likes to do it. It is far easier for us to “let things slip” than to confront someone about an issue of their behavior. Nevertheless, today’s key verse tells us that true friends will show the inner love they have by being open and honest with each other – even when that openness calls for admonition or rebuke. On this matter, we can err to two extremes: excess-pleasantness and excess-harshness.

By nature, most of us are non-confrontational. We would rather keep our thoughts to ourself than to risk hostility and conflict with others. To keep a matter to yourself is the sin of excess-pleasantness. We are much more comfortable being pleasant and agreeable than we are being truly honest about another person’s faults. We must come to understand that excess-pleasantness in the face of sin is actually an indicator of a lack of love. If we truly love a person, we will recognize that our kind rebuke will bring improvement and growth to their life.

On the other hand, we also need to be careful of the sin of excess-harshness. This is where we take our duty to rebuke someone we love to the point of being hurtful or overly-critical.  Our observation about their behavior may be true enough, but if not shared with love and grace can result in hurt, hostility, and – worst of all – refusal of the other person to truly hear the message. 

So, don’t hide your love. Show it by your kind admonishment of your friend. If you shy from your duty to reprove and opt for pleasantries, they may never know that a correction must be made. If you exercise your duty too harshly, they may refuse the reproof.

Reproof given faithfully and plainly, with openness of heart, and without mincing the matter, or excusing the offense will result in winning your brother or sister and enabling them to grow in their walk with Christ. A true child of God will delight in the kindness you show to them by your rebuke. As the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 141:5, “Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it.” 

March 15 -- "Put Out the Fire"

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 26 

"Put Out the Fire"

God cares about the words that come out of your mouth. In today's verse, Solomon uses wood and fire to teach a necessary lesson on the inflammatory nature of gossip and talebearing, as opposed to the harmony and peace that accompanies the pure words of a righteous man. 

Contention is like a fire; it heats the spirit, burns up all that is good, and puts families and societies into disharmony.  Gossip (“talebearing”) is the fuel that intensifies the contention – like throwing fuel on a fire. 1 Timothy 5:13 warns of those who “learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.”

Gossip can take many forms. Perhaps, simply by insinuating improper character of others. Or by revealing secrets, or by murmuring and complaining, or by misrepresenting words and actions. These “tales” can harm relationships, friends, neighbors, and society. Their tell-tale chin-wagging does nothing but alienate people from one another and sow discord among them.

How sad when someone’s life is marred by incorrect or tasteless words.  For the Christian, their godly testimony can be severely stained by gossip and talebearing and false accusation. This is why it is so important that we choose our words so carefully. We are exhorted in Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” We must never be the whisperer who is fueling the fire of discord. Like David, our prayer should constantly be, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

Keep in mind that God not only cares about the words that come out of your mouth, He also cares about the words that go into your ears. The “gossiper” and the “gossipee” are equally the agents of discord. It is not just the one who feeds the fire of contention with their hurtful whispers. Equally to blame is the one who listens to such whispering. “An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.” (Proverbs 17:4)

So, be the one who makes “the fire go out.” If someone begins to speak tasteless or improper words, cut them off. Refuse to listen to their gossip. And, never speak idle or hurtful words to others. Strife will as surely cease. Remember, without any fuel source, there is no fire.

March 14 -- "Like Vinegar on Soda"

 Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 8 & Proverbs 25

"Like Vinegar on Soda"

Have you ever struggled with what to say or do for persons experiencing a difficult time such as illness, accident, job loss, divorce or death?  This proverb describes an all-too-human problem each of us faces from time to time. We want to reach out and help those who are hurting—but the words or actions we use may unintentionally add to their burden instead of easing their pain.

Instinctively, we want to cheer up those with heavy hearts. We may think that our cheerful songs will “rub off on them” and cheer them up. But this proverb tells us that singing happy songs to struggling people can often be cruel – as cruel as taking away their coat on a cold day. This makes them feel exposed, alone, misunderstood and unprotected. It can also be inflaming – like pouring vinegar on soda which leads to an eruption. When we try to make sad people happy, our efforts to cheer them up may seem heartless and could cause an emotional outburst.

When someone is trying to come to terms with loss, rushing the process is never helpful. People need space to grieve and to process what they’re facing. So, instead of singing happy songs to a heavy heart, try just sitting with them and just listening. Pray for them. Offer words of empathy and encouragement – reminding them that the Lord is with them in the fire (Isaiah 43:2). It is okay to remain quiet if the Lord doesn’t give you words to share. If your heavy-hearted friend speaks, let them do so without judging, interrupting, or correcting them. Let them share their thoughts and name their struggles.

Just sitting with your friend tells them you feel their pain and are willing to draw close to them in time of need.  It also reminds them that the Lord sees their pain and He will never leave them. And always pray for them – pray for God’s comfort and encouragement. Trust them to the Lord, and, in due time, He will turn their “mourning into joy” (Jeremiah 31:3).

The Book of Proverbs advises its readers about making wise choices. It also advises us about not making unwise choices. Here in Proverbs 25:20 we are advised NOT to sing songs to someone with a heavy heart. In fact, we are cautioned about the absurdity of doing so. Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar on soda.

March 13 -- "Limitless Access to His Throne"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 9

"Limitless Access to His Throne"

At the beginning of Solomon's reign, the Lord had appeared unto him while he was in Gibeon and the Lord basically said to Solomon, "Ask me whatever you want." Solomon went on to ask for the divine wisdom to govern God’s people.

Now the Lord appears to Solomon “a second time.” What a blessing it is to know that access to God is not restricted to a one-time event. We can come to Him a second, third, fourth or fifth time. Actually, we can access Him for a limitless number of times. Our access to Him is perpetual and boundless. There are no membership fees or monthly access charges.

One of the key themes of the Bible is that of access to God. That access is depicted in different ways through the various parts of the Christian story but it all leads to an understanding that we can have personal, relational, and unlimited access to God. One of the distinctives of the Christian faith is that we don’t have to do anything to have full access to God except to come to Him through His Son, Jesus – “For through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Ephesians 2:18)

We don’t have to say any particular prayers, we don’t have to earn any particular merit, we don’t have to perform any particular rituals, we don’t have to give any particular gifts to gain access to the very throne of God Himself. We aren’t on a waiting list. We aren’t required to have any particular dress code. We aren’t limited in our access to God because of what we have done. No, we can go with confidence and approach God for His help in our time of need.

Always keep this in mind – God WANTS to hear from you. “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers.” (Psalm 34:15) You can approach Him anytime day or night as often as you wish. He will not be perturbed by, or indifferent to, your requests. So, have boldness! Approach God’s throne! Do it with confidence! Do it now! “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

March 12 -- "Praise the Lord!"

 Today’s Reading: Psalms 148, 149, & 150

"Praise the Lord!"

The Book of Psalms is a collection of Hebrew poems and songs. The book was originally titled Tehillim, which means “praise songs” in Hebrew. The Psalms express the emotion of the individual Psalmists to God or about God. Different types of Psalms were written to communicate different feelings and thoughts regarding a Psalmist’s situation.

The book of Psalms expresses worship. Throughout its many pages, Psalms encourages its readers to praise God for who He is and what He has done. The Psalms illuminate the greatness of our God, confirm His faithfulness to us in times of trouble, and remind us of the absolute centrality of His Word. As the Psalms present a clear picture of God lovingly guiding His people, the responses of praise and worship to God are never far from the Psalmists’ pens. The portrayal of worship in the Psalms offers us glimpse after glimpse of hearts devoted to God, individuals repentant before Him, and lives changed through encounters with Him.

As we read through the Psalms, we are struck by the range of emotions expressed by the various Psalmists. There are lament Psalms – expressing the writer’s crying out to God in difficult situations. There are praise Psalms – the offering of direct admiration to God. There are thanksgiving Psalms – reflecting the writer’s gratitude for God’s provision and protection. There are “pilgrim” Psalms (also known as “Psalms of ascent”) – which were sung by Hebrew pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for one of the annual festivals. There are also wisdom Psalms, victory Psalms, and “songs of Zion.” And, there are Messianic Psalms (or “Royal Psalms”) – speaking prophetically of the “Coming One”, Israel’s king and Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Psalms causes you to thank God for allowing you to express your deepest emotions to Him. If you are hurting, take a look at Psalm 13. If you are rejoicing, meditate on Psalm 30. Are you looking for a life secured in God’s truth, look to Psalm 1.  Do you need comfort, turn to Psalm 91. Looking for strength – Psalm 46. And the list goes on and on. You get it – God has provided a poem and song that applies to every circumstance of your life.

The Book of Psalms is a wonderful gift given to us by our loving Creator. He knew our needs and our emotions and our need to worship before we were even born.  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

What an apt ending to the Psalms: “Let Everything Praise the Lord!”

March 11 -- "Hope and Help"

 Today’s Reading: Psalms 134, 145, & 147

"Hope and Help"

The word “blessed” means “oh how happy.” This verse expresses the wonderful and happy experience of being helped by – and finding your hope in – the Lord.

There is no better source of HELP than the Lord our God. After all, He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. He frees the prisoners. He opens the eyes of the blind. He lifts up those who are weighed down. He cares for the orphans and widows. The Lord is all-powerful. There is no problem He cannot solve, no burden He cannot lift, no injury He cannot heal, no relationship He cannot restore, no heart He cannot transform, no sin He cannot forgive, and no sinner He cannot redeem.

What do you need help with today? Do you need help paying your bills? Do you need help finding a job? Do you need help dealing with depression and discouragement? Do you need help salvaging a damaged marriage? Do you need help dealing with disease or sickness in your body? Do you need deliverance from an addiction? Whatever is going on in your life right now, don’t look “inside yourself” for the help you need. Look to the Lord your God. Cry out to Him for His supernatural help. It is there. Lay your burden down, let Him carry it. Let Him help. Oh, how happy you are if you are finding your help in the God of Jacob!

Also, there is no better source of HOPE than in the Lord our God. Hope is the optimistic anticipation of future good. Hope is not “wishful thinking.” It is the firm faith we place in the future that God (who cannot lie) has promised us. We can find so much hope through the gift of eternal life made possible through God’s Son, Jesus Christ. No matter what trials, temptations or pain we may suffer, we can always hold onto the hope God extends to us. The Apostle Peter wrote, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

It is easy to lose hope in our world darkened by sin. We see so much of the dark side of humanity that we can easily drift to hopelessness. But, in Christ there is a never-ending source of true hope and courage for the future. Do you need more hope in your life today? Look to the Lord your God. Cry out for Him to restore your hope and make your hope shine like a light for other hope-deprived people to be drawn to and find salvation in Christ. Oh, how happy you are if you are finding your hope in the Lord your God!