Day 217 (Saturday) – Ecclesiastes 3:9-8:17

There is a time for everything. That is the focus of chapter 3 and probably what Ecclesiastes is best known for. A few years back, Pete Seeger and the Byrd’s sang a song from this very Scripture. Click on this link to hear him tell how they got the song and what it meant for them.

Day 216 (Friday) - Proverbs 31; Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:8

Ecclesiastes is the Greek word for “preacher”. This book is wisdom literature but the author is far from certain. Most believe that Solomon wrote it but there is a lack of evidence to prove it. Whoever it was that wrote it was going through a tough wrestling match with God. Life seems to be utterly empty and worthless without God but even with God the author is not always convinced. Many see the book as the writings of a tortured soul. That is something all of us can or will be able to relate to at some opint in our lives.

Day 215 (Thursday) - Proverbs 27:11-30:33

Are you surprised how often honesty, pride and mercy come up in these Proverbs? You can almost sum up the whole book with these three words. I find it interesting that these words are honored by just about every person and culture but they seem to be fleeting from our world as a whole. White lies, deceit, selfishness and lust have seemed to rule the day. A proverb a day keeps the Devil away!

Day 214 (Wednesday) - Proverbs 24:1-27:10

Proverbs 24:12 is a very sobering proverb. Sometimes we like to play dumb about what we know and don’t know in relation to what God is up to in our lives and desires from us as His people. I have said before that we should spend as much time practicing what God desires for us as we do learning about it. We may fool others and we may even fool ourselves, but we will never fool God.

Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve.

Day 213 (Tuesday) - Proverbs 21-23

I think it is important to remember that the Proverbs are just that, Proverbs. They are truths in life that we “generally” see played out as people make choices. They are not statements of fact or of God’s judgment. They are also generalities and not always to be taken literally. Like one of my favorites: Proverbs 21:19 “It is better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.” I’m not exactly sure if it is better to live in the desert but I will admit that I might not be the best judge of this one, for I have no reason to retreat to the desert. Maybe it’s a typo and it should read dessert!

Day 212 (Monday) - Proverbs 17-20

I have to jump back one chapter and break the blogging rule because I can’t skip over my life verse…yes my life verse comes from Proverbs and you can find it at 16:9. “The mind of the man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps.” This verse has helped me so many times and clearly communicates how God has worked in my life. People say things like, “let go and let God” in an attempt to not have to struggle or work through a situation. Honestly, I don’t see many fruitful outcomes from that. God gave us a brain and he intends for us to use it. Work hard and trust God’s leading in it.

Day 211 (Sunday) - Proverbs 14-16

15:17 is a great verse because it shows that even in Solomon’s days people didn’t want to eat their vegetables…how funny is that! Now I don’t know if they had Angus beef but I’d be willing to share a meal of an 18oz ribeye with just about anyone. Let’s put it this way…veggies with Mr. Rodgers or ribeye with Oscar the Grouch…I’m jumping in the trash can with my steak knife!