Daily Devotional

Comparing Others

Scripture Song of Songs 1:9 I have compared you, my love, To my filly among Pharaoh’s chariots.

Observation: I know Solomon is making this comparison as a compliment to a woman, but we all seem to make comparisons of others in an attempt to define someone. Unfortunately, most of our comparisons are negative and only in the realm of our understanding. We really don’t know anyone that well to understand what that person is going through, even our spouse.

Application: Not to look at others through my eyes but God’s. If I see every person as a child of God or my brother or sister I won’t need to make comparison but love them as God has called me to love. He has told me to love others as I love myself. Even though we may not say we love ourselves, we still take care of our needs and put our desires above others. We need to ask God to allow us to see others through His eyes.

Prayer: My Lord I am shallow and only see what I want to see. Please open my eyes to see others as you do with love and concern. Give me a heart that pleases you. I love you Lord may I live today to show you.

Fear God and Obey

Scripture Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.

Observation: What a perfect end to this book. After going through everything in life and the vanity of all that we can do on our own comes our purpose. The only goal we need to set for ourselves is to obey. We need to let God lead us wherever He desires and to be fearful when we disobey. I seem to be afraid of everything but not obeying my Lord.

Application: I need to trust my God completely and to listen to what he wants. Get into the word each day and understand what God is telling me to do. To give this fear I have to Him and be guided by His love.

Prayer: My Lord help me please fulfill the purpose you have given me. Show me how to be obedient to you in all that I do. I love you Lord and I want to finish well.

Don’t Make Excuses

Scripture Ecclesiastes 11:4 He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

Observation: At times we make excuses why not to do something we know we should do. I have done that so many times. God can call me to do something and instead of just doing it I think of things that hold me back. I calculate all of the possibilities of why something might not work instead of trusting God and just doing it.

Application: If God is calling me to do something or if there is something that needs to be done and it’s in God will, just do it. Make the plans that need to be made, but not excuses and ask God’s guidance on whatever it might be.

Prayer: My Lord, I find myself not doing anything lately and I know that is not your will. I need to hear your voice that you might guide me in what you desire of me. May I do the things that please you my Lord.

We Need Wisdom

Scripture Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.

Observation: How little I use wisdom. I go through every situation without weighing the consequences. I want to get things done quickly, but without thinking it through and I typically have to redo it. There is a difference between wisdom and knowledge. We can gain knowledge by studying or just by experiences, but using that knowledge properly takes wisdom.

Application: I need to search and use wisdom. I need to take situations to prayer and ask God to give me the wisdom I will need. I need to stop and meditate on what I’m about to do to make sure it is the right thing.

Prayer: My Lord your servant needs wisdom to do what is right in your eyes. Give me the patience I will need to do things right and pleasing to you. I love you Lord please guide me this day.

Rewards Only for the Living

Scripture Ecclesiastes 9:5 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.

Observation: I always say the most important time in a Christian’s life is the day they receive Jesus as Lord and Savior and the day they die. Only what we do in that period of time can earn rewards. No matter what you have done before receiving Christ as your Lord and savior don’t mean anything and after you die, your rewards have already been determined.

Application: I’m going through a difficult time with my health and my focus seems to always focused on that, but this is an opportunity to glorify God. Instead of complaining I should be telling others how I trust in the Lord and no matter what happens God loves me and will take care of me whether here on earth or when I get home.

Prayer: My Lord use your servant to glorify you. May I earn the rewards you have set aside for me. Guide and open my eyes to what you want of me give me courage and wisdom to accomplish what you sent me here for.

Time and Judgment

Scripture Ecclesiastes 8:6 Because for every matter there is a time and judgment, Though the misery of man increases greatly.

Observation: Things happen for a reason and at a particular time. We may not understand why, but that is not ours to judge. Currently I’m going through a difficult time as I wait to have hip replacement surgery. Each day the pain seems to get worse and I’m able to do less and less. My focus is why me, instead Lord what am I supposed to be learning or doing during this time.

Application: I’ve been giving time to do something other than my normal work. I need to be praying and asking God what I should be doing with this valuable time He has given me. I’m always complaining to others about my misery and instead I should be setting an example of God’s love and purpose in my life.

Prayer: My Lord give me strength and wisdom to get through this. Open my heart to what I should be doing and guide me. Increase my faith that I will trust you with all of my heart.

Making a Good Name

Scripture Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one’s birth;

Observation: A good name is something you have to work at every day. The best way to have a good name is to follow God’s word and do what He commands you to do. Others will see your resolve to be the person God calls you to be, hopefully drawing them closer to God. It doesn’t take much to turn that good name to bad just a slip up or two, because people are watching to see how we handle different situations.

Application: Stay close to God and allow Him to guide me. Pray before I react to situations making sure what I do will glorify God. Stop complaining to others and with all of my petitions bring them before God in pray. Soon it will be time to go home to the Lord and all that I’m going through now will be forgotten and I will have an eternity of joy with my Lord.

Prayer: My Lord help me please be the example to others you call me to be. May they see your love through me as I trust in you to guide me. I so desire to be home with you, but give me courage to live the best life I can until you are ready to bring me home.