Wednesday 16 Apr 2014

April 16: Ecclesiastes 7:8-10

Key Verse: Ecclesiastes 7:10
Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.

Devotion:
How many times have you said “well, it’s not like it used to be” or some other words along a similar line? Now think back to a time when you have said or thought those words and then honestly ask yourself “what are you doing about it?”

Far too often we get caught up in thinking about what happened in our past, how it might have been, how it used to be and we get stuck in those thoughts. Getting yourself back up off the ground and moving on forward can be very difficult after giving in and submitting to memories. The bible does not teach us to dwell in our memories or always think about how good it is on the other side of the fence; quite the opposite. The bible tells us that we need to learn from the past, remember it so we can move forward and then to look to the future and how we can go there with Christ in our lives. It also teaches us to be content with what we have here and now and not to go looking for something that may be better all the time.

If you live in a place where there is a whole lot of trouble and strife, think about the good things you may have, the blessings you do have and not dwell on what could have been or what was. God knows that we live in a world that is corrupted by sin and by people seeking their own ways instead of His ways, but He does not want us despondent because of the ways of the world. The ways of the world are not God’s ways.

There is always something to look forward to because we know that Christ has reserved a place in heaven for us. That should be enough to dig us out of any pit, but we still sink into those pits as we look at everything else around us. Being patient and waiting on God is difficult. Being strong enough to move forward with God is also difficult. Sitting down and allowing the world to run all over you may sound easy, but also leads to destruction rather than anything good. Christ walked into Bethlehem knowing what was going to happen, but He did so knowing the outcome which was far better than we could imagine.

Points to Ponder:
Do you get caught up in the past?

Are you looking forward to what Christ can do for you?