———————————————————————–
[Please note: This morning we are beginning a series on “Setting Life’s Priorities”. For this series we will be looking at the following four Scriptures as main texts (several other texts will be referred to during our study)…
1. Eccl 6:7 (KJV) All the labour of man [is] for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
2. John 6:26-27 (KJV) Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall giveunto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
3. 1Tim 6:6-8 (KJV) But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
4. 2Pet 3:11-14 (KJV) [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
In my way of seeing things, one of the greatest needs in the world today is the need for each of us to come to an understanding of what is really important in life and beginning to seek those things above all others. May the Lord bless each one of us with knowledge, understanding, and wisdom as we attempt to come to an understanding of this very important subject]
———————————————————————————–
Our text for this devotion is a very sobering one for us all. Our text is Eccl 6:7 “All the labour of man [is] for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.” In this text, we find the principle presented to us that, many times, when we attain that which we have devoted our lives to possess, we find ourselves empty, lacking and unsatisfied. Sad to say, we all have experienced this tragic occurrence sometime during our lifetime. For many, it is a way of life, when they are driven to attain one desire after another and finding them all lacking, without giving fulfillment nor enduring value to their lives.
The ultimate question we must ask ourselves is this…. “Into what can I invest my life that will have lasting, permanent value, result in personal satisfaction, give a sense of true accomplishment and grant us peace with God?” This is the issue that King Solomon was addressing when, about 3000 years ago…. Eccl 1:1-8 (KJV) The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all [is] vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? [One] generation passeth away, and [another] generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea [is] not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. All things [are] full of labour; man cannot utter [it]: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
Solomon invested his entire adult life to seeking the answer to this perplexing problem. From outward observation, it appears as if this world is on a gigantic treadmill, the same events taking place from one generation to the next generation without any lasting results of the investment of our life. It is this same issue that we are still struggling with today. It is this issue that we will be finding an answer in God’s Word through the devotions that are yet to come.
As we enter into our day, I would like to ask each one of us to carefully examine how we use our time today. As we go about our busy schedules always keep in the back of your mind this question… “As I complete this task, does it gain for me lasting value? Does it give me lasting satisfaction? Can I lay down my head to rest tonight knowing that I have pleased my Lord with my life this day?
May the Lord bless us as we “Think On These Things”.
SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com
each day i look forward to what you have to teach me, thank you
Lord bless you.. Continuing ot pray for you and Al… May the Lord use his Word to give you comfort and strength during these trying times.
thank you Rob
This is a great start to what will be a really needed series, Pastor Rob. Thank you! I seem to never have enough time to do all the things I want to each day, but if I am doing the ones that please Him, then I can have a peace about my days. And that is priceless! God bless you!
My hope is that the Lord’s teachings on setting our priorities will be a blessing to us all. We all need reminded of these things as our lives seem to get busier and busier. May He continue to bless you my friend.
Life seems a lot easier now that I’m older.
For the last couple of decades, I really NEEDED to write out my list of priorities/goals for the day and continue to monitor it through the day. Since retiring from the children’s ministry work, I have more time. That COULD be a problem, except the Lord tends to fill my time, albeit at a much more gentle pace.
Priorities are still an essential, and the one at the top of the list never varies, because if time isn’t spent ‘alone’ with God at the beginning of the day, all else is wasted.
We serve an amazing God!
Angela, Thank you so much for these comments… you have added greatly to the posting. I have to agree with you about the need to make lists of things I need to accomplish. I am doing that now everyday. it find it really helps me to keep my mind on what is important and put those things first. Then once I finish my list I have more freedom to do the less vital things. Lord bless you. I trust the Lord is continuing ro bless you and your husband.