What Is Love?

As I started to read from Song of Songs, I knew I couldn't dissect each chapter like I had done other books from the Bible.  There was much repetition, in both words and theme, and in the end I decided to sum it all down into a single post.

The chapters in the Song of Songs were written with different speakers in mind, from "young man" and "young woman" to "young women of Jerusalem" and "the young man's brothers".

When I was young, in Sunday School, we blushed when we read the words in this iconic book.  On one hand, if you take words literally, there is a highly sexual undertone to the language.  But on the other, when you sit back and let the Lord bless you through His mighty words, you get another sense: God's eternal love of us.

If married couples around the globe treated their respective partners with as much admiration and love as is written in this book (it's only 8 chapters, and not that long), my feeling is that the divorce rate would go down dramatically.

Read it.  Take in the language, the words.  Pray and let God's Love shine onto you.

Do This Before It's Too Late

Chapter 12 is the final chapter in the book of Ecclesiastes.

It starts out with these words: "Remember your Creator . . ."

And over the next several verses, the author spells out that you should always remember your Creator, the Lord our God, before you hit the twilight of your life, before you are no longer able to see, able to work, able to walk, or, simply, do anything.

Remember God before it is too late,

You Cannot Predict God's Works

In the 11th chapter from the book of Ecclesiastes, most of it speaks on dividing your investments across many different areas because one never knows where the most profit will come from.  It also speaks to farmers predicting the weather, to find out when to place their seeds.  This is meaningless as one can never predict when it will be the best.

The last three verses are about finding joy and not to worry.  It is best to enjoy life, especially in one's youth, but not to be too careless because in the end you will have to account for it in the eyes of God.

Sharpen Your Saw

Continuing in the book of Ecclesiastes, I am astonished by the amount spoken about wisdom.  Wisdom is the predominate theme in this book--so therefore, very important.

In chapter 10, one of the first verses to strike a tone with me is verse 4, which says that if a boss is angry with you, do not quit.  Your quiet spirit will overcome whatever mistakes are made.  Some people hop from job to job whenever they witness an obstacle.  If God speaks at you through your heart, listen to Him.  He may be telling you to stay the course and keep calm.

Verses 5 through 7 deal with foolish rulers and wise people may be in low positions of authority.  These verses are worth reading and praying about.

Verse 10 is one of my favorites: "Using a dull axe requires great strength, so sharpen the blade.  That's the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed."  Stephen Covey in his 7 Habits series of books teaches about sharpening the blade and giving yourself time to reflect and learn.  Use that time to sharpen your skills, making you a wiser person.

Verse 20 is the last verse in this chapter and is rather interesting to ponder: "Never make light of the king, even in your thoughts.  And don't make fun of the powerful, even in your own bedroom . . ."  Getting political for a brief moment (United States politics, mind you), one may make fun of the deteriorating mind of our current commander-in-chief or those on the opposite side of the aisle poked fun at the previous administration.  As a Christian and follower of Christ and His Lord Our God, neither should be done and we need to be better.  We need to pray for our leaders, even though we may disagree with them on so many issues.

Sharpen your saw by praying and reading Scripture daily. 

We Cannot Escape Death

In the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 9, we are reminded that no matter what we do, who we are, and who our ancestry is, death comes to us all in the end.

In verse 7, the author says to eat food with joy and drink with a happy heart, for God approves of such things.

Verse 9 is interesting because it reads: "Live happily with the woman you love through all of the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun.  The wife God gives you is your reward for all of your earthly toil."  My heart warms when I read this, for not only did God give me my first wife, He also gave me a future wife after my first one passed over two years ago.

By the end of the chapter, it speaks about wisdom once again--as it has many times in this book.  You should never ignore wise counsel, even if it comes from a poor, old citizen instead of a wild and crazy leader.

Revering God, Even In Good Times

 In the 8th chapter from the book of Ecclesiastes, it starts out with wisdom once again and how wonderful it is to analyze and interpret things.

Wisdom is spoken about a lot in this book and something not to be taken lightly.

We look up to those who are wise, those whom God has given authority.

In verse 9, the author of the book stated that people have been given the power to do harm to one another, to be wicked.  When a crime is not punished right away, people feel safe to do so more often--that is surely reflective of our society last summer when violent riots occurred across many cities in the United States.

The wicked do not prosper, and we should always fear and revere the Lord.  Most seem to only seek out the Lord in times of bad.  But it is said to always seek out the Lord, even in good times.

Wisdom Revisited

In the 7th chapter from the book of Ecclesiastes, the first verse says that a "good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume . . ."

How true this is, for one's reputation is what is lasting and can have lifelong repercussions.  The first fourteen verses sound a lot like Proverbs in a way, for each one is a lesson in itself.  For example, verse 9 speaks about anger: "Control your anger, for anger labels you a fool."  The recent events at the Oscars is evident of this.

The last half of the chapter deals with wisdom and living a righteous life.  In fact, it warns not to live too much of a righteous life, for one will not enjoy life while trying to follow all of the nearly impossible rules set for us.

Not that we shouldn't try to be as good as possible, but sometimes we need to have enjoyment in our life too.

Verse 16 says that "a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death."  This right here seems to cause more people to go astray than anything.  It is much better to be faithful and pleasing to God than to search out earthly pursuits for the sake of short-term pleasure.

Attention

What has your attention?

So many things these days vie for our attention, from social media to games on our phones, all getting us to divert any spare attention to them.

"Me!  Me!  Look at me!"

As always, God and his Holy Words seem to be forgotten in all this.  Whatever you need to do, make a habit of reading the Bible daily.  Even if it's a chapter, a verse, a single Psalm or Proverb.  God and His Holy Spirit will guide you in your daily walk, and allow Him into your life, to speak to you through His Holy Words.

Enjoying Life

In the 6th chapter from the book of Ecclesiastes, the author spends a good deal of this chapter with the issue of accumulating wealth and enjoying life.

In the 2nd verse, it states that God gives some people great amounts of wealth, everything they could ever ask for, yet they do not need to enjoy it.  They seem to die, only to have their descendants enjoy the fruits of their labor.

It continues on that one is better off being a stillborn child than to live such a fruitless, meaningless life.

By verse 10, it goes on to say that everything that has gone on has already been decided.  Everyone's path in life has been set up by God long ago, so there is no use arguing with the Almighty.

We do not know what God has in store for us, but the best we can do is enjoy the life we have.

Keep your mouth shut

In the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 5 is divided into two parts.  The firs part is about approaching God with care.

In the first verse, it is written that as you enter the house of God, "keep your ears open and your mouth shut."  It expands on this by saying that one should not make rash promises to God.  One sees this all the time when they find themselves in trouble.  When they're extremely broke and on drugs, they promise God that they will do better.

And do they?  The majority of the time, they do not.

In verse six, "Don't let your mouth make you sin."  This can be translated into many forms of communications.  I feel the Holy Spirit leads me to not comment on so many posts I see on social media, when my mind is racing to make a rash comment.

From verse eight onward, the chapter focuses on wealth--or, rather, the love of accumulating wealth.  Obtaining wealth is not a bad thing when done for the right reasons that God has given them.  If one works hard and do well with the money God has stewarded to them, they sleep well.  If they hoard it and invest in risky things, they will soon find themselves without.

God wants us to enjoy our work, enjoy our life.  Do not brood over the past.  Whatever life God has given you, enjoy it.

Two Is Better Than One

In the 4th chapter from the book of Ecclesiastes, there are three topics it seems to cover, although biblical scholars may break it down into more than this.  I am picking these three: work, companionship, and power.

At least twice in this chapter, the phrase "chasing the wind" comes up.  When it comes to work, we all want success.  But success to one is something different for others.  Working constantly is like chasing the wind.  It's meaningless.  Enjoy life.  Rest.  Take solace in the quiet.

The second major topic revolves around companionship.  No one is truly meant to work alone.  We are creatures who love other people.  This may be a spouse or a good friend.  In ropes, two strands are better than one.  Two people are better off than one.

When it comes to power, it does not mean money.  Wisdom does not come from great wealth.  We've seen that in our country's leadership, at all levels, at many companies.  Sometimes it is the poor wise one who is smarter than the ones at the top.  Sometimes it is the poor wise ones who heed the warnings given to us by the Almighty.  It is the arrogance of the so-called powerful who do not listen to the wise counsel given to them.

Do not chase the wind.

Time

In the 3rd chapter of Ecclesiastes, the first 8 verses starts out with saying there is a time for everything, for all activities under the sun.  From birth to death, killing and healing, loving and hating, war and peace, crying and laughing, everything has a time.

Yet with all this, God has given us eternity in our heart.  It is something we cannot fathom in our own human minds--I know I can't!

People are to enjoy the fruits that God has given them.

When I think about time, I can't help but think of the life I have weaved and the life my new loving girlfriend has lived.  Although we come from different backgrounds, we have come together in a time when our late spouses have passed.

God's time is perfect.

And there is so much more in Heaven, more than we can imagine.

What fills you up?

What fills you up?  Does pleasure cause great happiness in your life?  Do possessions, having everything you can ever want, from the latest electronic gadgets to fantastic vacations?  How about work?

I've heard it many times that money doesn't buy happiness.  Chapter 2 from the book of Ecclesiastes certainly tells us that.  We look to so many earthly things to bring us pleasure.  From food and drink, to physical possessions like a large house and property, to having the desires of every man (or woman) when it comes to sexual pleasures.

When it comes to work and money, you save and save, and to what end?  So people will spend all of your money when you are dead.  You can't control what these people do.  Even if you work smart, when you leave someone else may not do as good a job as you.

Only God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those to please Him.

Enjoy what God has given you.

Enjoy it by honoring Him and all of His Glory.

The Futility of Gaining Earthly Wisdom

For something to be futile means it is meaningless.

In the first chapter from the book of Ecclesiastes, the writer (whom is possibly Solomon) stated that "everything is futile."  No matter what we do, from generation to generation, the sun will always rise and set, the wind will always gust from all directions, in cycles, and water will always flow in the many rivers to the sea.

No matter what we do, all of these things that the Lord does is outside of our control.  So many of our earthly pursuits are meaningless in the eyes of God, because we will never gain a complete understanding of how things work.

Never.

In verse 9, it states: "History merely repeats itself.  It has all been done before.  Nothing under the sun is truly new."

How true that is when we look back and look at history.

We long for truth, but seem to never be satisfied when it comes to us.  The only explanation for everything is to turn to God to know the truth.  The Lord is our only Truth.

Everything else is, of course, futile.

Job Repented And Forgave

In the final chapter, chapter 42, from the book of Job, Job humbled himself and told God that there was nothing he could do to stop Him nor did he have the knowledge that God knew.  He was completely ignorant, and was self-centered in his approach.

Job then prayed for his three friends, forgiving them, and the Lord restored everything Job had lost.  But not the same as before.  The Lord Almighty doubled all that Job had before, rewarding him for knowing what God was trying to tell him.

Are You As Strong As God?

"Are you as strong as God?"

This was in verse 9 of chapter 40, from the book of Job.

God, at first, asked Job if he still wanted to argue with the Almighty Lord.  Job was ashamed, covered his mouth, and told Him that he had said too much already, that he was nothing.

The Lord then asked Job if he was as strong as He.  God asked Job to look at Behemoth.  Now, although the Bible is not clear what kind of creature Behemoth was, the Lord described it as being like an ox, eating grass, with powerful limbs and muscles.  No human could control it.  Only the Lord could.

In chapter 41, God asked, "Can you catch Leviathan . . . ?" in verse 1.  Although it is also not clear what kind of creature this was, humans could also never control it.  It had scales that could not be penetrated, its eyes glowed, lightning and flames could lash out from its mouth.  It had a powerful neck and its flesh could not be penetrated by anything humans could have.

In the end, God created such powerful creatures, as well as entire world, and who was Job to question Him?

The Lord Questions Job

In chapters 38-39 in the book of Job, God now took the stage to question Job.

The Lord began by stating that Job was ignorant of his line of thinking, to question the Wisdom of God, to challenge Him in what He does.

For the next two chapters, God asked Job if he knew the exact measurements of the earth, how the land and sea were laid out in its exact boundaries.

Did Job have the power to keep the sea in its place?  Or create the clouds that blanketed the sky?  Or can Job have the power to command when the sun rises and sets, creates the brilliant array of colors, and have explored the very depths of the vast oceans?

How about light in itself?  Or the darkness?  How about snow and rain and how lightning strikes across the sky?

Does Job have the power to direct the stars, their movements in various constellations?

Does Job provide all of the food found on the planet, food specifically designed for each creature that inhabits the earth?

God goes on and on with his questioning.  Read it and be amazed at the amount of power He wields on His creation--and those are just a small minute amount.

Needless to say, Job was stunned and speechless by this.  No one but God has this much power.

And He loves every bit of it.

Urging The Lord To Not Be Silent

Whenever I read Scripture, I reflect on what I read and how it applies in today's society.  Once again, Psalm 83 is no exception (truthfully, none are), and I beam at the awesome power the Lord Our God has over his entire Creation.

In verse one, the psalmist urged the Lord to not be silent, deaf, and not quiet.  Then, there is a plea to the Lord, asking if He hears the uproar from our enemies, the crafty schemes used against us.  This is where I reflected greatly toward how our society seems to be moving against Christians like ourselves.  Even fighting amongst other Christians is a favorite tactic of Satan, the father of lies.

The psalmist gave specific examples of how the Lord's awesome power was used against His people's enemies, and strongly urged that same power again.

Like a raging fire or fierce storm, His power can bring down anyone who speaks against Him, who sins greatly in His eyes.

God Is The Highest Judge

We have all seen courtroom scenes played out on TV or movies.

In Psalm 82, God is the Judge and we here on earth are judged by Him for our actions.  No matter who or what we are, everything we do is being watched and judged by the Almighty Lord.

God judges His people in their unjust decisions toward actions that are deemed wicked in His eyes.  Is justice being given to the poor, to orphans, to the poor, the destitute?

Oppressors are ignorant, wandering about in darkness.  In their minds they are gods.  But God destroys these gods, for we are all children of the Most High Lord.

Verse 8 ends it nicely with: "Rise up, O God, and judge the earth, for all the nations belong to You." 

Job Is Served A Humble Pie

In the book of Job, starting with chapter 32, through chapter 37, where we are introduced to a young man who sat next to Job and his three elderly friends, and kept quiet.

This man was Elihu.

Elihu started by saying that he was angry, but let the others speak first as they were older and he respected them.  When neither Job nor his friends were able to come to an agreement on Job's plight, Elihu spoke up by saying that that with age does not mean wisdom comes with it.  Quite the opposite here.  The Holy Spirit can speak through anyone, even those of youth.

He also said Job was arrogant to think that he was completely blameless and sinless.  No one is sinless, except God Himself.

God, who has the power to make it rain, direct the lightning, is the only one who is without any blame.

These chapters lay out the argument well that Job thinks very highly of himself.  Elihu does not put down Job.  He spoke with the guidance of the Spirit in his heart.  Job may have complained that God was silent, but Elihu affirmed that God speaks through various means, through dreams, disease, whispers, and even putting people in certain situations.

Pray to God often.  Just because you do not hear an answer does not mean He does not listen to you.  The Lord listens to everyone's prayers.

During the holidays of 2019, from Thanksgiving to Christmas and New Years, my now late wife was battling a dreaded disease.  We knew that it was God's will to take her to Heaven, but we did not know when.  I prayed that God would at least let us get through the holiday season, if it was His will.  If it wasn't, I would understand.  Long story short, He answered my prayers by letting her survive until January 16th of 2020, when she let go of my hand and grabbed the precious hand of Jesus, Our Lord Almighty.

I strongly urge you to read through all of these chapters as Elihu talked a lot about the Lord's justice too, and God's power is all-powerful, greater than we can understand.

At the end of chapter 37, Elihu stated in verse 24: ". . . All who are wise show Him reverence."

The Dreaded Sin of Lust

 In the book of Job, chapter 31, Job made a final plea of his innocence.  He started with these words: "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman."  Numerous times throughout this chapter, he talked about the sin of lust.

Lusting after a young woman.

Lusting after his neighbor's wife.

He spent a considerable amount of time spelling out the evils of lust and how he can completely wreck one's life, for it takes their eyes off of the Lord.  In verse 12, he said, "It is a fire that burns all the way to hell.  It would wipe out everything I own."

I have known numerous people who have lost much due to lust taking over their life.  It could even be the lust for alcohol and/or illegal drugs.  With the divorce rate as high as it is, I shake my head at those who completely ignore their spouses/partners and urge themselves to see if the grass is greener on the other side.

From what Scripture tells us, the other side is not greener.  Living a life as sinless as possible is the only way to live.

Obedience to the Lord

In Psalm 81, the psalm starts out with complete praise for the Lord and all that He has done for His people.  We should be blaring our trumpets, beating tambourines, singing as loud as we can, with all of our might.

The Lord our God took the burden from our shoulders, and when we cried out to Him, He answered.

But the Lord gave a stern warning to the Israelites.  They were to never worship a god.  Only God.  But they turned their back on Him, when He provided them with everything they could ever need.

Have complete obedience to the Lord, and everything you could ever want will be provided to you.

Job's Cancellation

Sorry, it's been a while.  I could give a hundred different excuses, but that's what it would be: an excuse.

As we continue in the book of Job, chapter 29, Job lamented that before his troubles, the Lord took care of all of his troubles.  He was respected, he gave much to the poor, and all who heard him speak praised him.  Even those in power took heed and loved him.

But as he continued on in chapter 30, he was now mocked by the outcasts of society.

Job was cancelled, to use today's term, and treated as a vulgar human being.  Everyone seemed to mock and taunt him.

Only through the Lord was he to be restored, even better than before.

Take Job's plight into consideration when you find yourself on the wrong end of today's cancel culture.  Place your complete trust in God, for He will restore your spirit and protect you.