[DISPLAY_ULTIMATE_SOCIAL_ICONS]
Today: Proverbs 19:23-29; Proverbs 20:1-4; 1 Corinthians 7:17-35; Ecclesiastes 4, 5 & 6
Proverbs 19
“The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” Proverbs 19:23
Normally fear is a bad thing. Scripture tells us over and over ‘do not fear.’ Jesus encouraged His followers repeatedly not to be afraid.
Fearfulness paralyzes us. It robs us of peace and joy. Many people are fearful of things that aren’t even real. They waste their time worrying about things that will never happen.
This is only one kind of fear that Scriptures command of us and that is ‘fear of the LORD.’ When we fear the LORD, we understand His great power and authority; we understand our own smallness compared to Him. When we also glimpse His unconditional love and care for us, we can be completely free from fear. We can rest content. Troubles will not effect our peace and joy.
Ecclesiastes 5
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 5:10
“Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.” Ecclesiastes 5:15
I often think that rich, famous, and powerful people are the most wretched people alive. Us little peons can always assume that if we only had more money, or fame, or power, then we would be happy and fulfilled. Most of us will never find out if this is true or not…
But the wealthy, famous, and powerful KNOW the truth of it. All the money, fame, and power in the world cannot bring happiness or fulfillment. They often become obsessed with protecting what they have; or trying to get more and more. Wealth, fame and power can become an addiction. But it will never be enough. That is why our elites are often miserable and bitter. They have acquired all that we peasants dream of. And it is empty and meaningless… a chasing after the wind.
