September 28
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ECCLESIASTES 9
11 Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. 12 For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.
– Ecclesiastes 9:11-12
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ECCLESIASTES 9 TIME AND CHANCE HAPPEN TO ALL
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Many people surmise that things happen out of chance
This thinking is influenced by a world that does not know God
We hear people presume and predict events that will transpire
It is pure arrogance and foolishness to think we know the future
Not everything that happen make sense; even the obvious can change
The wise, though they know things are still surprised by the unexpected.
The health-conscious people may think they can prolong their lives
Yet some of them die early from an illness that doesn’t make sense
The rich could have been very skilled at gaining a lot of wealth
But one day, the chance of a fire or theft will make them lose it all
We plan and ensure that we fulfill all our desires and dreams
But we may not reach it because time and chance prevented it.
All humans have no way of knowing when his end is coming
Only the Almighty God sees it all and no man is in control
What good is it to think that we can predict time and events?
It is futile to continue to take hold of something only God can
Time and chance happen to all, be ready to face the inevitable
Acknowledge that God is the only One in absolute and total control
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REFLECTION
• What did Solomon mean in verse 11?
• What do you think is the root of presumption and assumption?
Category Archives: Poem devotionals
ECCLESIASTES 9 MAKE THE BEST OUT OF EACH MOMENT
September 27
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ECCLESIASTES 9
7 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.8 Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. 9 Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
– Ecclesiastes 9:7-10
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ECCLESIASTES 9 MAKE THE BEST OUT OF EACH MOMENT
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Life is what we make it, let us then do our best to please the Lord
If we obsess about comforts in life, we are living for this world
If our hearts are grateful and not grumbling, we will enjoy our portion
But bitterness and selfish ambition can make us miss God’s provision.
Let us be thankful whether we have plenty or have a lack
Sometimes our lack will make us discover another gift from God
We certainly do not like being ill, but it can make us lean on Him
In our weaknesses, we can be sure that God is truly our strength.
Make the best out of each moment, whether they are good or bad
For the Lord uses any situation to make his people grow in their faith
Examine your hearts always so that you can stay undefiled and pure
An unexamined life is reckless, let your minds be transformed and renewed.
Be thankful for the people that God has put in your life each season
He knows what you need at that moment, so enjoy God’s provision
When things do not turn out to be what you expected it to be
Find the lessons that you need to learn from it so you don’t flee from it.
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REFLECTION
• Why do we miss out on the lessons and the gifts that God provides us with?
• Why do we tend to focus on the problems when they are actually opportunities to learn?
ECCLESIASTES 9 DEATH WILL INEVITABLY COME
September 26
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ECCLESIASTES 9
But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him. 2 It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath. 3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 4 But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun. – Ecclesiastes 9:1-6
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ECCLESIASTES 9 DEATH WILL INEVITABLY COME
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
The righteous continue with their good deeds according to God’s plan
Just as the wicked will not stop from doing their schemes and evil plots
To ponder on the intentions of man’s heart is futile, only God knows
But whether someone is good or bad, death will inevitably come.
Those who do not know God will continue to live for this world
But all those who the love him will follow his truth revealed in his word
Some may think that it doesn’t matter whether you do good or not
They are ignorant and don’t know God’s promise of an everlasting life.
Those who love the world will cling on to life on earth, they don’t know better
But all the children of the Lord have hope that there will a life after
All our physical bodies will deteriorate and disintegrate eventually
But for all those whom God chose will be the fulfillment of eternal life.
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REFLECTION
• What do you think Solomon meant in verse 5 when he said that the living know that they will die but the dead know nothing and have no more reward?
ECCLESIASTES 8 LIVE FOR THE MOMENT
September 25
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ECCLESIASTES 8
14 There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. 15 And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun. 16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one’s eyes see sleep, 17 then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out. – Ecclesiastes 8:14-17
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ECCLESIASTES 8 LIVE FOR THE MOMENT
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
There is a time for different seasons in our lives
We do not know the reasons why things change
There is no point in holding on to what God has already taken
When he decides to close the doors, we cannot open it once again.
It is meaningless to continue to analyze and understand that which we can’t
When things happen around us, let us live for that moment
That is an opportunity for us to lean on the Lord for courage
Courage to face the unknown and the inevitable can be a challenge.
When we try very hard to avoid the changes that we face each time
We miss out on the lessons that we need to learn at that moment
Let us trust that the Lord is in control and his plan is always for the best
Let us embrace all that is uncomfortable and painful in life’s challenges.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think humans have a hard time with changes and challenges in life?
• Why do we tend to understand and analyze situations instead of accepting it and moving on?
ECCLESIASTES 8 ALL IS WELL WITH THOSE WHO FEAR GOD
September 24
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ECCLESIASTES 8
10 Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in and out of the holy place and were praised in the city where they had done such things. This also is vanity. 11 Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. 12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God. – Ecclesiastes 8:10-13
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ECCLESIASTES 8 ALL IS WELL WITH THOSE WHO FEAR GOD
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
In this corrupt world, we will experience all kinds of evil
There will be oppression being done to the poor and helpless
Discrimination of all kinds based on wealth and race are rampant
The wicked hate those who love the Lord and suppress them.
All those who love the Lord and fear him, be encouraged
For God promised the crown of life to all those who love him
Your suffering may seem hopeless, but take heed, God sees all things
He will never allow his children to be defeated by all of Satan’s schemes.
You may wonder why the wicked prevail in their unrighteousness
Or why the good deeds of the righteous are hardly recognized
The deceivers and religious may seem to be honored and respected
But in God’s eyes, their deceptions will not be unnoticed but be punished.
All is well with those who fear God for they are assured of eternal life
But all those who create havoc and evil on others will be in Sheol
Do not be distressed all who fear the Lord; Jesus died to save you
Let your trust rest in all his promises and always have your minds renewed.
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REFLECTION
• What did Solomon mean in verses 12-13 when he presents the difference between those who fear the Lord and the wicked?
ECCLESIASTES 8 WHEN YOU OBEY AUTHORITY
September 23
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ECCLESIASTES 8
Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed. 2 I say: Keep the king’s command, because of God’s oath to him. 3 Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?” 5 Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. 6 For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him. 7 For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? 8 No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it. 9 All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt. – Ecclesiastes 8:1-9
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ECCLESIASTES 8 WHEN YOU OBEY AUTHORITY
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
When God created humans, he made him stewards of his creation
Men were given authority over the other creatures that he fashioned
But because of disobedience, that authority was displaced and twisted
No longer can man automatically obey, he follows his own nature instead
God is a God of order while Satan is the author of confusion
The Lord designed mankind to follow his commandments.
These laws protect humans so we can live in peace and harmony
Without obedience there’ll be much chaos, conflict and anarchy
It is wise to obey God’s commands so his promises can be fulfilled
If you love the Lord your God, you will also obey those in command
All of God’s appointed leaders were chosen by our Lord who is All-knowing
When we don’t obey those in authority over us, we are defying God himself.
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REFLECTION
• In John 14:15, God commands us to obey him as proof of our love for him and in Romans 13:1, he also says that everyone must submit himself to all governing authority for God himself established such authority. How come some people
twists obedience to authority according to their own perceptions?
ECCLESIASTES 7 PLEASING GOD BREAKS BONDAGES & SNARES
September 22
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ECCLESIASTES 7
21 Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. 22 Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.23 All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. 24 That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? 25 I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness. 26 And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her. 27 Behold, this is what I found, says the Preacher, while adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things— 28 which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found. One man among a thousand I found, but a woman among all these I have not found. 29 See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.
– Ecclesiastes 7:21-29
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ECCLESIASTES 7 PLEASING GOD BREAKS BONDAGES & SNARES
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
When God made mankind, he designed them to be upright like him
Man was created to be in relationship with God and bring him glory
But evil came into the picture that enticed man to be wicked instead
Since the fall, our uprightness was compromised and we easily rebelled.
Human nature became evil that we broke off our relationship with the Lord
This broken relationship brought forth God’s wrath to the world
But God loved us so much that he solved man’s unrighteousness
He sent his own Son for the appeasement of his anger over our wickedness.
Man tends to follow his nature but in Christ, he can once again please God
To fear the Lord instead of giving in to our sinful nature is the way out
Stop pleasing yourself. Instead, please the Lord and hell’s door will be shut down
It will break all bondages to rebel and be sinful if you cling to Jesus.
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REFLECTION
• In verse 29, Solomon reminds us of the original design of humans by God, why does mankind desperately want to change that design?
ECCLESIASTES 7 WISE ARE THOSE WHO ADMIT THEIR SINFULNESS
September 21
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ECCLESIASTES 7
15 In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing. 16 Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.
19 Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
– Ecclesiastes 7:15-20
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ECCLESIASTES 7 WISE ARE THOSE WHO ADMIT THEIR SINFULNESS
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
This life isn’t always fair; the righteous perishes and the wicked continues
Some become so consumed with being righteous not knowing it can destroy
The world says moderation is good, yet true love knows no bounds
Can we love someone and continue to be careful to show our love?
Should we have moderation when we give glory and praise to our Lord?
Didn’t he want us to love him with all our hearts, our minds and our souls?
When we consider ourselves good in our own eyes, isn’t that “sinfulness?”
Isn’t craving for others to view us as “nice and good” an exercise of vanity?
When all we think about is pleasuring our “selves”, will we have time to praise God?
It is wise for humans to admit their sinfulness; this way will lead to righteousness
But those who deny their selfish nature will be on the path to wickedness
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, without it, we will dishonor him
When we love God, we will also hate what he hates which is “sin.”
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REFLECTION
• Is moderation always good? Why or why not?
• What did Solomon mean in verse 20 when he says that there isn’t a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins?
• Why is it folly to forget our sinful nature as we live a life for Jesus? What happens when we think that we are good and righteous?
ECCLESIASTES 7 WHO CAN ALTER WHAT GOD HAS MADE
September 20
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ECCLESIASTES 7
7 Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
8 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning,
and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9 Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.
10 Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?”
For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun.
12 For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money,
and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
13 Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him. – Ecclesiastes 7:7-14
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ECCLESIASTES 7 WHO CAN ALTER WHAT GOD HAS MADE
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
It is valuable to remember that God is in control in all things
He allows circumstances that are beyond us in this world for a reason
He is the designer of this universe and we cannot fathom it always
If you regret and resent what goes on in life, you will miss his promises.
Who can alter what God has made and what he allows man to go through?
No human can take control of his life or whatever is happening around
We are all part of the big plan and that he can do whatever he pleases with us
Because we serve an Almighty God who sees and knows all, let’s give him our trust.
It is folly to follow our sinful nature and be angry when things don’t go our way
The wise person looks at the perspective that God has in store for humans
Who can fix what God has made crooked? It is beyond our make to do so
Let us then allow the process of change to sink in our hearts so we can grow.
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REFLECTION
• Why do humans automatically react to change in a negative way?
ECCLESIASTES 7 THE BETTER THINGS IN LIFE
September 19
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ECCLESIASTES 7
A good name is better than precious ointment,
and the day of death than the day of birth.
2 It is better to go to the house of mourning
than to go to the house of feasting
for this is the end of all mankind,
and the living will lay it to heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter,
for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5 It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise
than to hear the song of fools.
6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot,
so is the laughter of the fools;
this also is vanity. – Ecclesiastes 7:1-6
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ECCLESIASTES 7 THE BETTER THINGS IN LIFE
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
What does it truly mean to have a better life?
Is it to be wealthy, famous, powerful or be emulated?
A life of integrity and honesty is much better than prosperity
It makes one have less conflicts, live in peace and have less anxiety.
Many people fear death because they don’t know Jesus Christ
But if you believe in the Lord, even if you die, you will have life
For those who do not know him, they will easily cling to life on earth
They wouldn’t want to let go of all their wealth and good health.
The laughter of the wicked is not better than those who are mourning
If you serve Jesus, you will know that he comforts those who are grieving
He didn’t die for us to have happy lives, he died so we can be reconciled with God
The better things in life are those that lead us to our Maker, it is not what feels good.
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REFLECTION
• What’s the difference between happiness and joy? Is joy better or not?