Which Way Are You Running?

Several years ago I watched a soccer game in which one of the players skillfully stole the ball from the opposing team. With speed and precision, he maneuvered the ball down the field, and no one stopped him. Then, he kicked the ball into the goal! The problem was that he had run in the wrong direction and had delivered a point to the opposing team.

When temptation approaches us, the Bible instructs us to run, but we must be careful about the direction in which we run. Joseph fled away from Potiphar's wife when she tried to seduce him rather than running into her arms (Gen. 39:12).

The next time that temptation rears its ugly head in your life, run! But we sure to run away instead of running toward temptation. Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. (1 Cor. 6:18)

 

Why Do the Wicked Prosper?

The author of Psalm 73 explained that at one point in his life, his feet almost had slipped from the righteous way because he had become envious of the wicked who were prosperous. His bitterness caused him to be like a beast toward God (73:22).

The author complained that their bodies were fat with excess food, while the godly sometimes had too little to eat (73:4). They oppressed others (73:8). They were even so bold as to set themselves against God (73:9).

When the author considered these inequities he began to despair, and he was not the only one. He wrote concerning the thoughts of God's people, "How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?" Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence" (73:11-13). In other words, they wondered where the benefit was of serving God if they were going to suffer while the wicked prospered.

The final portion of the psalm, however, places things into perspective. Even though it may seem like the wicked prosper, they will fall to ruin in the end (73:18). Just as one wakes from a dream and its content fades away like a phantom, so will be the wicked in their destruction (73:20). On the other hand, God guides the godly, and He is their refuge (73:24, 28).

Christian, next time you find yourself envying the prosperity of the wicked, remember their fate and continue on the path of righteousness. Jesus's way is the best and only way! My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (73:26).

A Biblical Definition of the Word "Trespass"

Recently, as I was picking up my children from school, I noticed something interesting. Although parking was available only ten feet away, one person decided to park in the fire lane, right under the "do not park here" sign. I snapped a picture of the scene because it perfectly defines the biblical word "trespass."

"Trespass" means to know exactly what God expects of us, exactly where the line is that He has drawn in the sand, but to willfully and deliberately step over the line. The truth of the matter is that often we are not ignorant of God's will - - usually we know exactly what God expects of us, but we choose to ignore His words.

Thankfully, Jesus will forgive us of our deliberate sins if we repent and turn to Him! In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7).

The Purpose of Ecclesiastes

1.  Solomon's intention in writing the Book of Ecclesiastes was to teach knowledge and write words of truth correctly (12:9-10).

2.  Solomon explained that the words of wise men are like goads that prod a person in the write direction. These words come from the one true Shepherd (12:11).

3.  Solomon warned that their is no end to the production of books, and that excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body (12:12).

4.  Solomon revealed what is important in life: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil (12:13b-14).