- There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves. Ecclesiastes 10:5-7 – Solomon in his quest to find life’s meaning discovers another troubling aspect to this life, that life isn’t always fair. Solomon sees the rich stuck in the low places of life and slaves sitting where princes should be sitting. What Solomon saw likely you have seen far too often as well. A corrupt person gets the position of authority. The laziest person gets the raise. The criminal gets let off the hook. The unfairness within this life can be overwhelming and discouraging, for often those who deserve something don’t receive what they deserve. Yet while we can sit here and dwell on all the things we should have gotten that others got instead, let’s remember what we should have gotten yet didn’t. We should have gotten eternal death in Hell as a consequence for our sin, but instead God chose not to give us the fair punishment and chose to not give us what we deserved. So yes, life is unfair, and let’s praise the Lord it’s unfair. Certainly in an unfair life we’re going to see some of the situations highlighted earlier in our devotion, but the “unfairness” in life also means that Jesus who was perfect took our punishment so we could be set free. If Jesus was content with His unfair treatment, let’s be patient with the Lord in the unfairness He allows us to see. In Jesus’ case we know the Father had a purpose behind the unfairness, so believe when that happens in your story that He too has His purpose. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3395
- A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left. Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool. Ecclesiastes 10:2-3 – While we can care for the welfare of someone, we must first have a desire for their heart to change towards God. Like this verse says, we can try to help someone get onto the right path in life, but if their heart is to the left, still desiring sinful things, they’re going to lean back that way and clearly show that to all who see. So is helping people a hopeless endeavor? Not at all, just make sure in the process of helping them make right choices in life you help them know about the right choice of bringing Jesus into their life. He’s the one that can shift their heart from the left to the right, to truly wanting the right things in life. So keep helping people who have walked down the wrong path in life, just remember what they really need. A handout, a room, and a meal are all good and helpful, but at the core of our help needs to be a heart wanting to lead them to Jesus who can offer them the true help they need. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 844
- If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed. Ecclesiastes 10:10 – When you handle things improperly you find yourself worn down quicker. Here the example given is using an unsharpened axe to cut wood. In order to do the job with this axe you’d have to give a whole lot more effort and strength, yet if you took a moment to sharpen it everything would move smoother. Such is adding wisdom to our movements in life. It’s like sharpening the axe, it just make things smoother. So how do we find wisdom? We lean into the only true source of wisdom, Jesus. Ask Him for clarity, seek help from Him, ask for wisdom on things. God loves it when we seek to handle our lives in ways that He directs us to and He’ll offer the wisdom we need to move forward well. When then was the last time you asked God for wisdom? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1666
- Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. Ecclesiastes 10:1 – Last week we were taking our girls driving to teach some basic Driving Ed skills when we found ourselves pulled over on the side of the road changing a tire due to a wrench that found it’s way into our lives that evening. That tiny wrench created such a problem that the entire car could no longer more forward. Our passage illuminates this idea of how something small can completely ruin something beautiful. Here it was flies ruining a perfume and a perfumer’s reputation. Last week it was a wrench stopping a car. Today, for you, what might the small thing be that is ruining something beautiful? Is it a little worry that has caused you to miss out on the amazing provision you have been given? Is it a secret sin that is causing you to lack deep closeness with those you love? Whatever it may be, this small, seemingly insignificant thing, it’s causing destruction. Maybe that destruction has made itself visible like a flat tire. Maybe the destruction is hidden like an infection working in the background unnoticed. Whether you see the negative side yet or not of your “dead flies,” the things that just shouldn’t be in your story, know they are causing real pain. Be willing to lay down even the smallest thing at Jesus’ feet. Allow your story to be free from the things that will defile your story, your witness, and your relationships. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2000
Daily DEVO 