For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10-11
This powerful scripture, found in Isaiah 55:10-11, has been a favorite of mine for many years. Within these verses, we find a wonderful promise about the enduring Word of God. Let us consider a few implications of this verse today.
The Word of God is powerful. The Words of Scripture are able to reach to the highest of heights and the lowest of depths. While we are limited in our scope and reach, the Bible is infused with the power of God and is able to reach deeply into the hearts of sinful humans and effect real, lasting change.
The Word of God succeeds. Many “sacred” texts exist in our time and these writings have many adherents. Yet, over time, God’s Word has proved itself again and again. It always accomplishes exactly what God desires even when we cannot see the results. There will be times when, to our eyes, it seems as If God’s Word is losing. Don’t lose heart in those times—God’s message always wins.
Because these things are true, we can believe, trust, and obey the Scripture. We can teach it, preach it, witness it, and live by it with complete confidence. And we can know that whenever we minister, serve, and proclaim the Word of God it will always be used by God to further His message. Because of this promise, no ministry is wasted.
May we commit ourselves today to reading, studying, and applying God’s Holy Word!
1 For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything they see before them. 2 All things come alike to all: One event happens to the righteous and the wicked;To the good, the clean, and the unclean;To him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice.As is the good, so is the sinner;He who takes an oath as he who fears an oath.3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 4 But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they will die;But the dead know nothing,And they have no more reward,For the memory of them is forgotten.6 Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished;Nevermore will they have a shareIn anything done under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 9:1-6
Life “under the sun” seldom makes sense to us. It can be maddening to try and find order and meaning in the randomness of life. Life is full of monotony, but it is also replete with contradictions and paradoxes that boggle the mind.
How can these problems be addressed? Solomon gives us some help. Follow along with this week’s post and let us learn these truths about life on this planet.
The complexities of life are on full display here. The same fate seems await all when life is viewed without God. The categories that the preacher uses are stark and stunning. Consider from an earthly perspective the following……
*The same fate awaits the righteous and the wicked.
*The same fate awaits the clean and the unclean.
*The same fate awaits the religious and the irreligious.
*The same fate awaits the good and the sinner.
All will die and be forgotten. Their achievements and emotions will perish. Their rewards perish with them and lead to ultimate meaninglessness.
I’m thankful that we have purpose and meaning through Christ. Aren’t you grateful for the fact that we do not have to live this life apart from God? He calls on all to be saved (Romans 10:9-13). And His desire is relationship with you. Trust Him today!
How does one have relationship with God? How can we be reconciled to our creator? What way is available for us to be saved? These most important questions are answered by the Scriptures.
The Bible declares that Jesus is the way. Romans 10:9-13 says that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Trusting in Christ by believing in in His death, burial, and resurrection as the payment for our sin results in relationship with God. Eternal life is appropriated through faith in Christ.
The Bible also teaches that Jesus is the only way. John 14:6 tells us Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” There is only one way to have relationship with God. There is only one hope, one faith, one Lord, and one mediator for sinful humanity and His name is Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5-6) This teaching is not popular, but, it is resolutely proclaimed in Scripture.
Finally, the Bible proclaims that the way of salvation is open to all. 2 Peter 3:9 says The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. John tells us that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2)
Theses verses do not teach that all will be saved. No, some will reject the way of salvation. However, those who turn from their sins and place their trust in Jesus believing in Him shall have eternal life and be reconciled to God. (John 3:16)God is gracious, kind, and compassionate towards sinners.
Have you placed your faith and trust in Christ? If not, please consider these claims from the Bible. Jesus is the way. He is the only way. And He is the abundant way. May the name of Jesus be praised forever more!
9 All this I have seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: There is a time in which one man rules over another to his own hurt. 10 Then I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of holiness, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done. This also is vanity. 11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God. 14 There is a vanity which occurs on earth, that there are just men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. 15 So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun. 16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done on earth, even though one sees no sleep day or night, 17 then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.
Ecclesiastes 8:9-17
Our trust in God should be growing each and every day. Trust means believing even when we don’t understand. Faith means believing in the reality of things we can’t see, touch, feel, or hear. Let us end this lesson with specific reasons we need to grow in trusting God.
**We need to trust God in the midst of the brevity of life. Our lives are short, like a vapor (James 4:4). One man rules for a season and then another takes his place. Trust God and make the best of the life we are given.
**We need to trust God in the midst of life’s injustices. Life will treat us unfairly and unjustly. Some injustices we can fight.Other inequities will overcome us no matter what we do. Trust God in all of it. He will see you through.
**We need to trust God in the midst of the evil that prevails. At times justice will prevail. Yet, at other points, injustice rules in our society. When we see these verses through the prism of earthly knowledge, Solomon tells us that nothing better to do but to eat, drink, and be merry. Trusting God during these times will help us know that God will judge all things and evil-doers will not escape.
**We need to trust God even though we don’t understand God’s plan or His activities here on this earth. God has not promised to explain Himself to us. He never said He would fill us in on all the details. This is why faith is so important.
You can trust God in all things. Those who trust Christ will never be put to shame. Life is not fair and inequities abound in every sphere of life. We can trust God in the midst of it all. He will lead us, guide us, and carry us home safely.
Who are you trusting? In whom have you placed your faith? Believe in Christ. He gave all for you in order that you might have relationship with God. Repent of your sin, trust Christ to forgive you and cleanse you, and call upon His name today and be saved. You can trust Christ in everything!
One aspect of Christianity that separates it from virtually all other faith systems is the way God bestows His grace on us. Someone once described biblical grace as “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” Such a description is applicable indeed. We receive the best that God has through the sacrifice of Christ.
Jesus paid the debt so that we could be free. Jesus paid the penalty for our sin so that we could reconciled to God. Jesus endured the horrors of separation so that we would never be separated from God. God’s grace is amazing indeed!
I pray that you will be encouraged from the Scriptures with these thoughts about God’s amazing grace.
Psalm 103:8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
Psalm 116:5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate.
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Romans 3:24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.
Romans 5:20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
John 6:29
**Obey Jesus
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.
John 14:15
**Teach Others About Jesus
John 21:15-17
**Serve Jesus
14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
1 Who is like a wise man?And who knows the interpretation of a thing?A man’s wisdom makes his face shine,And the sternness of his face is changed.2 I say, “Keep the king’s commandment for the sake of your oath to God. 3 Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him.” 4 Where the word of a king is, there is power;And who may say to him, “What are you doing?”5 He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful;And a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment,6 Because for every matter there is a time and judgment,Though the misery of man increases greatly.
Ecclesiastes 8:1-6
Chapter 8 continues the theme began in the previous chapter of Ecclesiastes. The author continues to look for wisdom in the futility of life. Let’s join him in this pursuit this week.
Obey the authorities is the first general instruction found this chapter. General submission to authorities is a good and wise principle. Government is established by God to protect the citizenry in a fallen, sinful world. We would do well to obey. (Romans 13)
There may be a time when civil disobedience is necessary. In Acts 4:18-20, Peter states his willingness to keep speaking the truth despite the warnings from the leaders. These times might be needed, but they will also be infrequent. As much as we can, may we submit to authority even when we disagree with it.
19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:19-21
In a world filled with distractions and conflicting voices, there’s one source of truth that stands the test of time – the Bible. This sacred text isn’t just a collection of ancient stories; it’s a living, breathing guide that has the power to shape our lives in profound ways. Today, let’s explore the transformative power of Scripture and how it can impact our daily walk with God.
The Bible: Our Spiritual Purifier
Imagine a filter that can cleanse not just water, but our very thoughts and actions. That’s precisely what the Word of God does for us. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, it begins to purify our hearts and minds, gradually molding us to be more like Jesus. This transformation isn’t always visible to the naked eye, but over time, it becomes evident in the way we think, speak, and act.
Psalm 119:2-3 beautifully captures this truth: “Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity; they walk in his ways.” The more we engage with God’s Word, the more it cleanses us from within, helping us to resist sin and walk in God’s ways.
mrtonyfrench 