OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for December 2018
January 1, 2019
Ecclesiastes 10:5 – There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler.
Thought: Before a person becomes a ruler, he would be wise to study rulers of the past. Some of them have been great. Some were mediocre. Others were complete failures. Their reigns depended upon the decisions the rulers made for the most part. Solomon has been around many rulers as a king. He is about to tell us some of the mistakes he has seen rulers make. Yes, to know how to be a leader, study other leaders. Learn from their mistakes.
I Kings 12:12-16
January 2, 2019
Ecclesiastes 10:6 – Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
Thought: It is possible for a leader to put the wrong men into positions of power. These individuals could be greedy. They may not have the skill set needed to accomplish their work. They could be people who are power hungry. They could be individuals with an agenda that is different from their leader. This is one of the errors of leadership that Solomon saw in his great experiment of life. All leaders should pick their advisors with the utmost of care.
Esther 3:1
January 3, 2019
Ecclesiastes 10:7 – I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
Thought: There are times when roles are reversed in nations. Solomon speaks of one of these reversals in this verse. He has seen servants who should be walking riding horses. He has seen princes who should be riding horses walking. Again, this happens because of poor leadership. Selfishness, a lack of wisdom, a failure to listen to wise counsel, pride, and a host of other things can cause a nation to flip-flop. Rulers must govern wisely so this does not happen. This is another error leaders can make.
Proverbs 30:21-22
January 4, 2019
Ecclesiastes 10:8 – He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
Thought: Here we see two different actions one can take against his neighbor. He can dig a pit hoping the neighbor will fall into it. Or, he can break down “an hedge,” the barrier or fence, that separates the two in an effort to destroy him. In either case, the one who plots mischief should beware. It may be he will fall into his own pit. It may be that it is he who is bitten by a serpent who has nested in the wall. Sometimes evil plotted against another comes back to bite us. (Please pardon the pun).
Esther 7:9-10
January 5, 2019
Ecclesiastes 10:9 – Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
Thought: Not only should we refrain from attacking others, we should also take caution as we live each day of our lives. Most of the things we do have some risks and uncertainties attached to them. If we move stones, they could fall on us. If we cut wood, we could be hurt by the ax or the tree. Just driving a car has many risks associated with it. Use caution. Take care. Think. Don’t get into a hurry. Don’t do crazy things. Heed warnings. Follow the rules. End your day without hurt or harm.
Deuteronomy 19:5
January 6, 2019
Ecclesiastes 10:10 – If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
Thought: Iron was used to make farming equipment and instruments of war. Knives, swords, hoes, axes, and shovels were some of the things produced. To lessen one’s labor, it was wise to keep these things sharp. The duller the ax, the more difficult the work. Those who failed to “whet the edge” learned valuable lessons during their work day. Experience is a great teacher. Natural consequences lodge things deeply into the mind. Some call it the University of Hard Knocks.
I Samuel 13:20-21
January 7, 2019
Ecclesiastes 10:11 – Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment, and a babbler is no better.
Thought: The bite of a serpent is extremely painful. The place of the bite burns, stings, and swells. The poison also affects the rest of the body. Breathing and heart rate can be endangered. Death is a possibility. “A babbler is no better.” The babbler’s bite is painful. He wounds the mental state of another. He wounds another’s reputation. He, too, can take the life of the one wounded. Clarke writes: “The moral of this saying is simply this: A calumniator is as dangerous as a poisonous serpent; and from the envenomed tongue of slander and detraction no man is safe” (e-sword).
Psalm 58:4-5
January 8, 2019
Ecclesiastes 10:12 – The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
Thought: What we say and how we say things mean everything in conversation. The use of our words proves that we are either a wise man or a fool. Wise men speak with grace, tact, tenderness, and kindness. There is logic to their reasoning. Fools can be wicked, obnoxious, mean, blunt, and sharp with their words. Within a couple of sentences, others know they are dealing with a fool.
Luke 4:22
January 9, 2019
Ecclesiastes 10:13 – The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
Thought: Here Solomon sets forth the two poles of the words of fools. They range from foolishness to mischievous madness. Note that none of his words are profitable. None of them benefit the hearers. All he says is vanity. Many of these fools are adults. They are not just silly children. Sadly, their education and experience have not benefited them. They have no wisdom to offer. All they can speak stands between foolishness and mischievous madness.
I Samuel 25:10-11
January 10, 2019
Ecclesiastes 10:14 – A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
Thought: A fool knows a little about everything. He is “full of words.” There is not a subject upon which he cannot pontificate. The problem is that the hearers cannot trust what the fool says. The fool appears to be bold and confident, but something seems amiss. He assures you that he knows whereof he speaks, but the listener is wary. A wise man would be wise to pay no attention to a fool.
Proverbs 15:2
January 11, 2019
Ecclesiastes 10:15 – The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
Thought: The fool would have you to believe that he knows everything. He convinces others to follow him and they weary themselves with the labors he prescribes. The problem is that he does not have the knowledge of which he boasts. He does not even know how to go out into the street to make the trip to the city. He is a cloud without water. His followers work until they are tired, but never succeed.
Genesis 31:41-42
January 12, 2019
Ecclesiastes 10:16 – Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning.
Thought: Only special people should be rulers. When the ruler exhibits the qualities of a child, he will never be an effective ruler. When the ruler is not disciplined, he will never be a successful ruler. Rulers need to be mature. They need to be able to think and act like men. They should rise to their work and not to their table of feasting and banqueting each morning. When a nation has a king who is childish and intemperate, “woe to thee, O land.”
Isaiah 3:12
January 13, 2019
Ecclesiastes 10:17 – Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
Thought: In the previous verse, we were shown some of the qualities of poor leaders. In this verse, we are introduced to the qualities of good leaders. The good ruler is not a fool. He has been trained at the feet of others to know exactly what is involved in the work he has undertaken. He understands discipline. He eats for strength. He does not eat to merely please his carnal desires. Drunkenness is not part of his life. He knows that his mind must be sharp to carry out the responsibilities of his office.
Proverbs 31:4-5
January 14, 2019
Ecclesiastes 10:18 – By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
Thought: Laziness has been the downfall of many people. This writer has literally seen buildings decay and houses drop through because the people in them were too lazy to take care of their personal things. For a while, laziness and idleness seem like the “good life.” This so-called “good life” eventually gives way to poverty, to stench, to sickness, to loss, and even to death. My friends, it requires effort, that is, work, to obtain the “good life,” but that effort is well worth it in the end.
Proverbs 24:30-31
January 15, 2019
Ecclesiastes 10:19 – A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
Thought: Things and events are provided with purposes in mind. Some things serve only one purpose. “A feast is made for laughter.” It is a time when individuals come together to enjoy one another’s company. “Wine maketh merry.” It cheers the heart. Other things serve numerous functions. Money is one of them. Solomon says: “…but money answereth all things.” How many times have we heard the expression: “If I only had the money”? We would all do well to remember that money is not the root of all evil. It is the love of money that is the root of all evil.
I Timothy 6:10
January 16, 2019
Ecclesiastes 10:20 – Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
Thought: God created government. He expects rulers to be treated with utmost respect. Sadly, our nation has drifted far from this teaching. Individuals constantly curse the President of our nation. Some will say: “But he deserves it.” What they fail to remember is that in so doing they violate the commands of God. In the past, it was dangerous to curse the king. If it were ever revealed, that is, brought by a bird of the air to the king’s attention, one could be in danger of losing his life. Dear reader, be careful of the attitude you take toward those who are in positions of leadership.
Exodus 22:28
January 17, 2019
Ecclesiastes 11:1 – Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
Thought: The word “bread” can refer to grain, the substance from which bread is made. Casting the grain upon the waters refers to the sowing of seed. In time, the seed will take root and will grow. Eventually, it will bring forth fruit. The same can be said of the seed we sow spiritually in our daily lives. We can sow the seed of God’s Word. We can sow seeds of charity. We can sow seeds of kindness. The seeds we sow will eventually produce. Yes, we shall find it after many days. In the end, it is we who are blessed.
Psalm 126:5-6
January 18, 2019
Ecclesiastes 11:2 – Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
Thought: Here we find another very practical thought from the pen of the Preacher. His advice is to diversify. Man should never cast his wealth into just one basket. He should divide his wealth among seven, perhaps eight, investments. Why should this be done? Solomon says: “…for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.” The world is constantly in flux. The markets are always changing. In diversity, there is safety. One or two are profitable and offset the losses of others. Overall, a person has a constant increase in wealth instead of losing it all in one investment.
Matthew 25:27
January 19, 2019
Ecclesiastes 11:3 – If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.
Thought: Two views of this verse present themselves. First, the writer could be referring to the providence of God in our lives. Clouds empty themselves by raining on the earth. Trees fall from time to time. We cannot predict these events. We cannot control them. We have to be ready to deal with them. Second, the writer could be referring to us in using these figures. If we are full, we should empty ourselves on the earth, giving liberally to others. Too, we are like the trees. We will eventually fall. We will die in the direction we lead our lives. Once we die, “there it shall be.”
Psalm 65:9-13
January 20, 2019
Ecclesiastes 11:4 – He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
Thought: Have you ever seen a person who has to wait till “just the right time” to do something. He seems to always have an excuse for not acting. This is not right. That is not right. We need more of this. We need less of that. Day after day passes and nothing happens. Those who are waiting “for just the right time” will never be successful in life. They will not sow. They will not reap. The winds and the clouds will always be their excuse.
Proverbs 20:4
January 21, 2019
Ecclesiastes 11:5 – As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
Thought: Man likes to believe that he is very smart. It is true that we have learned much and have advanced greatly from the knowledge we have obtained. Sometimes, however, we tend to forget that we are not that smart. Our knowledge versus what still can be discovered and learned is just a drop in the bucket. This is especially true when it comes to our knowledge of the works of God. Before we confront God or contend with God, we need to be reminded of how much we do not know.
Isaiah 40:28
January 22, 2019
Ecclesiastes 11:6 – In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
Thought: Do the right things. Work smarter not harder. Don’t waste your time on the trivial. We hear these statements often from success experts. They teach us “formulas” whereby we can succeed with a minimal amount of effort. The problem, however, is that we do not always know what will be the successful action or behavior. It is better to be diligent all the time in the little and big things. One thing could prosper when another fails. Both may prosper. If we remain active, success will come.
I Corinthians 3:5-7
January 23, 2019
Ecclesiastes 11:7 – Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.
Thought: All of us can testify to the truthfulness of these words spoken by Solomon. Nights can be long and dreadful. They can be filled with pain and sorrow. They can be a source of great fear and anxiety. Before the sun rises, the light of the sun lessens the darkness. That light is sweet. When the sun slowly peeks above the horizon, the heart is filled with joy. For some reason, the light of day restores hope to those who are fearful and hurting and hopeless.
Psalm 19:4-6
January 24, 2019
Ecclesiastes 11:8 – But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
Thought: Most individuals live decent lives for many years. There is good health. There is success. There is profit. There are good times. Sprinkled throughout those years are some dark days, but they do not linger. The young person, however, needs to remember that “the days of darkness” are coming. These will fill the last part of life. Solomon says “they shall be many.” Those times are difficult. They are filled with pain, tears, and anguish. Solomon looked upon those days as “vanity.”
Psalm 90:10
January 25, 2019
Ecclesiastes 11:9 – Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
Thought: It is wise to constantly remember that one day we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. It is easy to forget this when we are young. Youth often make unwise decisions. They live somewhat recklessly. They do not mind experimenting. They take some high risks. Oh, the joys of being young. To these young people, Solomon has a sobering message: “…but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
II Corinthians 5:10
January 26, 2019
Ecclesiastes 11:10 – Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
Thought: The warning about judgment in the previous verse should influence a young person’s behavior. He should cease from activities that bring sorrow to the heart. He should put away practices that please the lusts of the flesh. So many things that interest young people are vanity. So many of the behaviors in which they engage are empty and useless. The earlier this lesson is learned, the more valuable one’s life will be both in youth and in old age.
I Peter 2:11
January 27, 2019
Ecclesiastes 12:1 – Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.
Thought: Doing things early in life can be a tremendous blessing. Learning, memorizing Scripture, building a business, and saving money are some examples that could be expounded upon. Solomon gives the most important thing to do when young. “Remember now thy Creator.” As we grow older, it is more difficult to do things. Our bodies and our physical health will not allow us to do many things. In youth a person is strong, flexible, pliable, and has great stamina. All of these things are needed in God’s service. A young person can be a major contributor to the kingdom of God.
Acts 16:1-3
January 28, 2019
Ecclesiastes 12:2 – While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain.
Thought: The wise Solomon has encouraged his young readers to remember God in their youth. The reason is because youth quickly fades. Age begins to take its toll on one’s body. In this verse, he begins to take about the deterioration of the body by using nature as a description thereof. The sun, light, moon, and stars represent the eyes. In time, eye sight begins to diminish. Too, there are more difficult days than easy ones. The rain departs and the clouds soon gather again. Yes, life is harder as we age.
I Samuel 4:15
January 29, 2019
Ecclesiastes 12:3 – In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened.
Thought: Again, Solomon uses very descriptive terms to illustrate the struggles that come with old age. The keepers of the house are the hands. They are the part of the body that makes certain everything is straight and proper. In old age, these begin to tremble. The legs are the strong men. They begin to bow. The grinders are the teeth. They decay and must be pulled. In time, they become fewer and few. Those that look out of the window are the eyes. They grow dark. Old age involves deterioration and decay. It involves growing weak and feeble. Youth need to take note!
Zechariah 8:4
January 30, 2019
Ecclesiastes 12:4 – And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall arise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low.
Thought: The description of old age continues in this verse. The “doors” are the lips of the mouth. They must be shut when the elderly eats his food. Those who are older no longer have control of their mouth when they eat as they did when they were young. The sound of grinding is low because they have fewer teeth in old age. They do not sleep well into the morning. The crowing of the rooster easily arouses them. The “daughters of musick” are brought low can mean that their hearing is impaired or that there is less joy and jubilation for life in those later years.
II Samuel 19:35
January 31, 2019
Ecclesiastes 12:5- Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets.
Thought: With old age come more fears. Fear of heights and the fear of things that threaten from the outside are very real. Gray hair, represented by the flourishing of the almond tree, is very common. The smallest of things, like a grasshopper, become a burden. Desire shall fail. Desires in all areas of life diminish. Eventually the elderly die and go to their “long home,” the home beyond the skies. When they do, the mourners can be heard throughout the streets.
Genesis 50:3-10
Read devotionals for February 2019
