December 4, 2020

UPDATE: December 6th will be the final online devotional for the time being. At some point in the future, Champion Forest Baptist Church online devotionals may resume.

The title of the book in the Old Testament we refer to as Ecclesiastes comes from the Septuagint (LXX) which uses the Greek word ekklesiastes. The word means “preacher” and refers to the one who gathers an assembly of people and speaks to them. Solomon is accepted as the author of Ecclesiastes by most scholars. In the first verse he refers to himself as “the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” Additionally, he says he is, “king over Israel in Jerusalem” (1:12), and “besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge.” (12:9).  Solomon was known as the son of King David (1 Kings 3), the third king over the united kingdom of Israel, and for unmatched wisdom in the land (1:16). The book can be dated around 930 B.C. because it was most likely composed in Solomon’s latter years.

Even though Solomon did not initially ask for long life, wealth, or the death of his enemies, but for wisdom to govern the people of Israel, God granted both.  However, even though he knew better, he acted foolishly by taking many wives and worshipping other gods. He became selfish and apathetic towards God. Ecclesiastes is autobiographical as the old king reflects on his many foolish decisions and empty pursuits. He concludes that life without God and the pursuit of pleasure is all “vanity.” He warns subsequent generations to avoid the same mistakes he made and that a life lived without God is futile and meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 10

1 Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench;
    so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right,
    but a fool’s heart to the left.
3 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense,
    and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place,
    for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.

5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

8 He who digs a pit will fall into it,
    and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them,
    and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
    he must use more strength,
    but wisdom helps one to succeed.
11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed,
    there is no advantage to the charmer.

12 The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor,
    but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,
    and the end of his talk is evil madness.
14 A fool multiplies words,
    though no man knows what is to be,
    and who can tell him what will be after him?
15 The toil of a fool wearies him,
    for he does not know the way to the city.

16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,
    and your princes feast in the morning!
17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility,
    and your princes feast at the proper time,
    for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 Through sloth the roof sinks in,
    and through indolence the house leaks.
19 Bread is made for laughter,
    and wine gladdens life,
    and money answers everything.
20 Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king,
    nor in your bedroom curse the rich,
for a bird of the air will carry your voice,
    or some winged creature tell the matter.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Reflection:

  • As the preacher mentions dead flies making the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench, a life of folly and poor decisions can quickly undo the blessings received from previous wise decisions and living for God (v.1).  As it has been said before, the Christian life is a marathon and not a sprint. Everyday must be lived in submission to God and seeking his presence and wisdom.
  • Living foolishly eventually becomes apparent to all (v. 3).  We must never think that living a life of folly will only affect the person doing so. The concentric circles of sin affect other lives in negative ways as well.
  • The preacher has seen the wealthy in low places because folly is no respecter of persons (vv. 5-7).  Many times, riches are associated with the wise and blessed while poverty is associated with careless living and unwise decisions.  But this is not always the case and life is not always fair. Can you list some wise decisions you have made in your life and how those decisions resulted in blessings?
  • A foolish person’s words will usually come back to haunt him or her. Jesus said in Matthew 12:37, “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Prayer: Lord, make me wise and help me to live as a wise person and to not succumb to foolishness in my words or in the way I live. Help me to bring honor to you. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14).” In Jesus’ name, amen.

We encourage everyone to have a daily time in God’s word. There are many devotionals available that can help in spending time with Jesus every day.  Any devotional is just meant to be a tool to help you read and reflect on God’s word and to encounter Jesus every day. Below are some biblically sound devotional resources you might consider.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26 ESV).

19 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-December 4th”

  1. I am so sad to see this devotion expire. It has meant so much to me personally. In these dark times, we need more scripture, not less. Do not grow weary in well doing.

    1. Amen I am going to miss the daily devotional. It was so uplifting, and inspirational. Thank you so very much.

  2. I too will be so sorry to have these devotionals end. They have really helped me get in the habit of reading daily by their explanations and questions. I thank whomever prepared these for their dedication. I am sure they took alot of time preparing them. And I thank God for them and am praying for our church and country.

    1. I too am sad to see this end. Not just the Bible devotional but reading the prayers of our saints. They truly encouraged me daily during my grieving time. I lost 3 family members recently. God bless you all. I have now consider you family. Love l:)

    2. Jan –
      We too are so sad to see these devotions be gone as well . Praying these resume soon.
      We will also miss your prayers. I feel like we know you. So many times your prayers reflect exactly my heart. God Bless you always sweet lady.
      Laura Parsons

  3. Oh Creator,

    You are the potter and I am the clay. May I not resist your discipline today.

    I surrender my all to you: my thoughts, my plans, my actions.

    Through the Holy Spirit, may I mirror you, LORD, throughout this day.

    Through the airwaves, may the listeners hear of your great love and mercy.

    Father, you loved your creation so much that you sent your son to die for all. You, LORD, offer a free gift to all. I accept your gift of eternal life.

    Rebellion is so rampant. I lift up the wanderers in my life, may they surrender to your will today.

    We are not promised tomorrow. So, this day, Father, let’s be going and doing and working and serving your creation in ways that will encourage more to choose your way.

    May angels be rejoicing over new names in His Book…for it is in the name of Jesus I lift this prayer,

    Amen

  4. I am sad to see it end because my church hasn’t had anything for me to do on zoom because of the virus. My husband is now on hospice so I am home 24 hours a day with him and this is the first thing I did after my prayer time. Thank you for allowing me to participate with your church as I am a online guest every week for a few years from Houma , La. God Bless Your wonderful Church Vickie.

  5. Why was the decision made to end providing daily devotionals? I know that there are many more readers than those that make comments. This is a ministry of our church and should not be dropped at this important time. Please reconsider!

  6. ThankGod for all His blessings through this devotional and for all the participants. I enjoyed participating to encourage and further the activities of our beloved church. Many a time it was in addition to my other devotionals, and I could hardly keep up, however I still enjoyed it all. I still look forward to the next time as it helps us engage with each other. Iron sharpens iron. May God indeed fill our lives with His presence and continue to guide us through our other means , May God’s grace , Love and richest blessings remain with the authors of this devotional and our blessed church.
    Thank God. again for the wonderful words of wisdom we received.
    In Jesus Almighty name, Amen!!???

  7. Please reconsider. As the others have said, this is one of the ways we feel “connected” to CFBC. We receive several of the on-line devotionals that you have mentioned, but this one is “ours.”

  8. The Daily Devotionals have been a good way to start the day during these Covid times. Thankful for those responsible. Sharing God’s Word is always a good choice.

  9. I, too, have looked forward to and enjoyed these devotionals. I appreciate the ones who have contributed to these. I know that it has taken a tremendous amount of time to do. It certainly has been a blessing.
    We also do the Jesus Calling and Jesus Always by Sarah Young. They are both excellent devotionals.
    Thanks for this time together. Hope to see it return soon.

  10. Thank you, CFBC, for the devotionals. Also, thank you to the brothers and sisters who replied each day. Your daily prayers were an inspiration to me.

  12. I will look forward to the return of CFBC devotions. Thank you to all who have contributed. I have been blessed by your words.

  13. I also am very sad to see these devotionals go. Maybe not too many people use them or not but you could advertise them and more people would come and there may be many people that read them but do not normally comment or pray in public. I have really enjoyed reading other peoples prayers and I pray that you would consider continuing these devotionals. Thank and God Bless you.

  14. Sad to see this devotional discontinued. It is a vital link to our church family, especially for those of us who now live out of town. Please reconsider this decision. Thank you!

  15. I have spent too much time thinking of and doing foolish things. Forgive father God. I pray today I will humbly seek your presence, that your Holy Spirit will help me live a more wise life, giving you glory, blessing me and all those around me. In Jesus’ name.

  16. I am sad to hear this, but my thanks to the person or persons involved in writing these devotionals. The daily Reflection area aids me in focusing on and identifying key areas of the scripture and the comments and prayers have inspired me daily.

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