JULY 11 READING…ECCLESIASTES 5-8 & MALACHI 1-2
Solomon continues to speak that all the things of this world are vanity. He speaks of the inadequacies of human religion. God did not call us to establish, or maintain a religion…but to walk in a relationship with Him. Solomon, who was the world’s richest man, declares that wealth does not bring happiness. Wealth rather than solving problems, causes more problems. True wealth comes from God. Solomon tells us that the only real satisfaction we will ever have in life comes from the Lord. Neither wealth, nor children, nor labor, nor even the promise of a great future bring satisfaction…only the Lord. So, we need the wisdom from God to live in a world that provides no real satisfaction. The Prophet Malachi deals with a people in rebellion, rather than a people walking in the wisdom of God. They found themselves with corrupt priests…and were themselves corrupt, and involved in idolatry. So, the people begin to act contrary to God in every area of life…their marriages, their inner personal relationships, and their relationships with Him. We are to have a relationship with God where He is our everything, and it would be nice if we always responded that way to the Lord. But, we don’t, and so the Lord has given us His Son and the Holy Spirit, that we might have a right standing with the Lord, and have guidance in how to live in the wisdom of the Lord. (btw…I did jump ahead today in Malachi)
Please share your thoughts.
TOMORROW’S READING…ECCLESIASTES 9-12 & MALACHI 1-2