From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>
To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"
Sent: Fri, Dec 9, 2022 at 6:12 AM
Subject: 12-9-22 THOUGHTS
12-9-22 THOUGHTS
Solomon’s observations about man’s struggle in life concluded that without God, we are a striving after the wind! The RIVALRY thought below is powerful. Our world today is one of competition and rivalry and greed in order to promote THE SELF! God’s love has been replaced by man and the self. It must not be so with God’s people.
Eccl 4:4-16 I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind. 5 The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. 6 One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind. 7 Then I looked again at vanity under the sun. 8 There was a certain man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, "And for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of pleasure?" This too is vanity and it is a grievous task. 9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. 11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. 13 A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction. 14 For he has come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom. 15 I have seen all the living under the sun throng to the side of the second lad who replaces him. 16 There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind.
I wonder if these last three kings refer to Saul, David, and Solomon? We cannot know, but if so, Solomon includes himself in the cycles of vanity.
Eccl 12:13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, [is:] fear God and keep His commandments, because this [applies to] every person.
Isa 55:1-3 (Message Bible) "Hey there! All who are thirsty, come to the water! Are you penniless? Come anyway—buy and eat! Come, buy your drinks, buy wine and milk. Buy without money— everything’s free! 2 Why do you spend your money on junk food, your hard-earned cash on cotton candy? Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best, fill yourself with only the finest. 3 Pay attention, come close now, listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words. I’m making a lasting covenant commitment with you, the same that I made with David: sure, solid, enduring love.
My Prayer:
O God, give our lives and our souls meaning as we love and serve You. Keep us from chasing what is not, in this life. May we see clearly that your ways and your mind are to be our focus. Help us to be consumed with the idea of abiding in your presence. Fill us with your Spirit and your fullness, O Lord. Please keep us from striving after vanity and the wind.