Boss

We have just read through Proverbs Ecclesiastes. and the Song of Solomon....moving right along in the reading of the Bible in 90 days. Again I urge you, if the opportunity presents itself to join in a group and do this...It truly will enhance your perspective of God and what you already know about him.

Ok, back to these books.. Where have I been...I didn't know that Solomon wrote all three of those books. There is so much to learn...and my appetite for this knowledge continues to grow with each new book. But I do need the commentary. I need someone to give me a simple explanation of what I have read that I can understand and relate to. At the end of each week we listen to Jack Modesett on tape giving an explanation of what we have read....That is how I found our about the author.

You have seen the titles of these books I know and dabbled in them here and there...but here are some insights that were given to me that I thoguth you might like to know:

The books have a defined order.

1) Proverbs : seeing what the wisdom of God revealed by God to the human mind set looks like set down on paper

2) Ecclesiastes: what happens when you ignore it

3) Song of Songs - completes the picture - set like a musical play, a lover, the beloved and friends...it is a frank and beautiful picture of a marriage.

Ok now before you go any further thinking wait I am used to a story and then an application there is one here. I know it is a little off track from what you are used to but these books are really chalked with good information that we have allowed ourselves to slip by.

Do you know what one of the greatest burdens is that have been placed on us...it is our pursuit to be like God. Bottom line who is your boss? It started back with Adam and Eve...remember the claim that Satan made that was his real clincher...oh but You will be like God if you eat the apple....so they did and look what a mess they got us all into. We continue today to have to contend with the same perils that Adam and Eve did then... we have that itch to be in control....we go about our lives seeking pleasure, comfort, security, love, satisfaction etc....but we leave God out of our equation.

Just think about it...did you get up this morning thinking about God or thinking about what is on your "to do" list. Solomon made a "to do" list as well...to try to see if anythign...anything at all was worthy and had value on its own.... .he tried our everything "under the sun"...meaning here on earth....sex, food, power, wisdom, laughter, even goodness...all without God. And he found it ALL to be meaningless. Worldly pleasures do not satisfy us because we are made for something greater....GOD! And we have been given all the gifts that we have...but in the end if we don't allow God through his son Jesus to be the activator of these gifts...they lose their value. I mean after all what good is a gift is it remains unused....and we have the gifts but sometimes just either are too lazy to unpack them, too self centered to think they would add anything to our lives,or too consumed with temporary self gratifying pursuits that we fail to realize the worthiness of lasting valued gifts.

Ok, what is it that all of us need so desperately...that is just it...it is not what...it is who. We need a boss that we can count on...a boss who is trustworthy and wise, and understanding...and able to know and do what is right....someone who has a perfect track record...and who is capable to handle any crisis. I don't know about you but I am clearly not the one for the job....I mess up too much.

Each of these books points out to us how hollow and off track our existence is or can be if we are not seeking God's wisdom and direction in living it. If we want satisfaction and enjoyment in life...then we have to accept the gifts that are given to us in the light of the SON (Jesus) that they are given. These are Old Testament verses but we today can balance them out with New Testament living. We have been given the grace and mercy and understanding and forgiveness that allows each of us to live abundantly in the riches of our Lord Jesus. And it is in those riches that we are immersed in that we are led to share in..

This might be more than you want to know but this is too good not to share. Solomon gives us a comparison between the two books of Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs.. This comparison is indicative of how God wants us to live...and it is not for self gratification,...but in the fellowship with others. Because of what God has done for us we are expected to do unto others.

The comparison is this:

The Spirit of Ecclesiastes The Spirit of Song of Solomon

what can I get what can I give

what is in it for me what is in it for you

where can I find pleasure how can I give pleasure

How can i get my needs met how can I meet the needs of others

self actualization self expenditure - giving away self


If our lives are set in the bounds of self gratification...we will never achieve the true rewards that God has in store for us. It is not until we allow God's way to intersect and detour us from our personal agendas to his that we will be satisfied beyond measure. If we can get it straight that life is about God and not about us....and sway our thinking and release the burden that we carry to want to be God of our lives...and let God reign in our lives...it is then that we will achieve ultimate happiness.....and contentment that follows.


John 12:24
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

Dear Jesus, Oh how I am leaning your word...now just help me to live by it. The principles are simple....trust and be loyal to you..but the actual ability to live accordingly is hard....for the distractions are many and my will power is not so inclined to be obedient. I need your help today and each day. Please give me the wisdom to know your will, and the heartfelt pursuit to carry it out. Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!

cjodeit@gmail.com
www.cathyjodeit.com

The blog link below has all devotionals from the beginning of the year:

http://simplygod-cathy.blogspot.com/