20th January 2024
Pray (ACts) Read (Ecclesiastes 2v26) Message (Scott Woodburn) Christians live life under the sun and they know the endless futility of this world but nevertheless, the Christian is blessed abundantly by the Lord. To the one who pleases the Lord, He gives wisdom, knowledge and joy (v26). We have the wisdom to understand that this world is filled with vanity but something better by far is coming. The Lord has given us knowledge of Jesus, He has breathed spiritual life into us and He has set us on the righteous path. Even more, we have a joy that perhaps makes no sense to the world but it fills us with a peace which passes all understanding. The joy of the Lord is one which takes great delight in God and one which cannot be destroyed even when our world crumbles. Not all can say these things. To the sinner the Lord has given the vain business of gathering, collecting and then losing everything to the one who pleases God (v26). Now it is true that Christians also gather and collect. It's also true that the Christian can't take their earthly goods with them when they die. But the difference comes when we compare the eternal hope of the one who loves who the Lord and the one who does not. I have nothing but respect for the man who goes to his work everyday and puts bread on the table for his family. But when that man can no longer work, what was it all for? When that man dies his working life is of no benefit to him and he loses everything. He may have clocked in every single day for thirty years but he never considered Christ and so goes to the place we call Hell. The Bible can be explained as the tale of two cities. On one side you have the city of God called Zion and on the other, the city of man called Babylon. Every human who has ever lived, dwells in Zion by faith in Christ or they dwell in Babylon by their rejection of Christ. The problem with this state of affairs is that Babylon is destined to fall completely (Revelation 14:8). Imagine putting down foundations in Babylon and trusting that your work will last forever - tragically this is a striving after the wind. The one who dwells in Babylon will lose everything, but the Christian will inherit the kingdom of God (Matthew 25:34). The difference couldn't be more stark and it is my hope that everyone who reads this devotion will make sure they have the right address. Jesus calls us to believe and dwell in Zion. Will you come? Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q47 What is forbidden in the first commandment? The first commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying, the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Alan
|