Day 47 of 90 Devotion

Dearest e-votees-

Day forty-seven of our cover to cover voyage through the Bible. We have completed Proverbs (20 down, 46 to go). If you want to see the readings for our trip through the Bible you can follow this link:

www.christthegoodshep.org/biblein90days.html

Peace,
Karl

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Day 47 Readings: Proverbs 20:22-Ecclesiastes 2:26

We complete Proverbs and move into the more substantial texts of Ecclesiastes. The more pithy and repetitive texts of Proverbs are replaced by the soul-searching of the author, Solomon. Solomon was asked what he wanted from God. He asked for wisdom. God granted him more wisdom than was ever found in anyone before him or would be found after. So to what end does this wisdom lead Solomon?

Despair.

With all of his God given insights (and riches and power as well which God heaped on for making the good choice of asking for wisdom) Solomon pursues satisfaction. He seeks contentment. He seeks significance. He seeks to make a difference. In all his seeking his summary statement to this point of Ecclesiastes is "Meaningless!"

So where does that leave us? We aren't as wise as Solomon. We don't have the resources not the influence of Solomon. Where do we find meaning? Where do we find satisfaction? Where do we find significance? How do we truly make a difference?

Perhaps we should look to one who wasn't in Solomon's sights--Jesus. Jesus came to bring into the world that which makes us whole. Jesus' call gives us meaning and purpose. Following after Jesus gives us satisfaction and significance. We can best impact our world and make a difference by living as Jesus would have us live.


God, thank you for sending Jesus. Help us lean strongly into the life that he is for all of us. Amen.