I shared some reflections a few weeks ago. Although I've been a Bible learner and disciple of Christ for many years, I do not yet have this walk figured out. It's filled with missteps and mistakes, and even when I re-read some of my prior posts, I can see how I could have represented the truth more fully and adequately. It is humbling to know that God still brings truth even in our tiny bit of understanding.
Today, we start a Bible study I've refused to write for months. It is a chapter out of my dark soul and a testament to the bright communion God showed me over a long, swarthy night. I know I need to sit still and get some of the messy, messy work God has graciously done down on paper. I dread it and welcome it all in one.
I was reminded the last few days of how "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate" (Romans 7:15). My flesh is so weak. In case you weren't aware, just because I write Bible studies doesn't mean I don't struggle. I am not exempt from temptations or warring between my sinful flesh and the Spirit. Some days are harder than others, and I wrestle with temptation like every other believer (1 Corinthians 10:13).
If you're not following along on Instagram or Facebook, be sure to do so. We've been working through Proverbs 3 lately, which contains six sets of instructions. Each section includes a call to act in wisdom. It's an appeal for living in the Light, fearing the Lord in all respects, and it ties closely to both Ecclesiastes 7 and 8.
There have been seasons where I wanted “the answer.” I tried to understand the past. I wanted to see pieces of the puzzle I couldn't see. I craved to know what I couldn't figure out. However, through the years, I have learned to rest in the work of the Cross. It was all seen — and paid for — on Calvary.
One day, we'll read our own stories. The ups and downs. The ebbs and flows. We’ll read the paragraphs where life smeared the ink and the pages stuck together with pain. I'm confident that when we read our story — cover to cover — we'll finish it knowing God was magnificently at work. He is the author and finisher of our faith.
I have to be careful about what magazines and books I buy to peruse, the shows and movies I watch, and other "intakes" of life. When I fail to guard my heart (Proverbs 4:23), it causes my heart to have "the wants." I begin desire or daydreaming of something else instead of practicing contentment in the present moment.
In chapters 1 and 2, the skeptical and pessimistic Solomon presents four arguments that seem to prove how life is not worth living. Those four arguments are the monotony of life (which we talked about some last week), the vanity of wisdom (1:12-18, 2:12-17), the futility of wealth (2:1-11), and the certainty of death (2:12-23).
I mentioned in the intro and the YouTube video about Solomon's posture in writing this book: it was from a broken and carnal state. We must remember this as we study Ecclesiastes. It has a disappointing perspective because this was toward the end of Solomon's life when he was living contrary to God's Word. We’re going to talk this week about the difference between hebel (a vapor) and hope (the absolute expectation of coming good).
