The Devotional - A Look at the Book #616

by Jesse Abel

What Papa “J” has to say! #37

Recipes properly followed make a nice meal, the results will always turn out right; those who dine will give praise. Such is the recipe found in Proverbs 2:1-5, eight ingredients that produce a mature understanding of the Fear of the LORD; those who observe will give praise.

The Devotional

As Christmas approached this year, I was asked by my wife to take our grand daughter to the mall to shop for a gift for her mom. So with my grand daughter of thirteen we entered the store where you could buy small items of jewelry, like necklaces and bracelets. We spent some time looking at various necklaces and all the while the sales person was talking about a small jewelry box that was free except that there would be a charge of three dollars a word for engraving. I thought the box would be nice for her mom too, so I encouraged the grand daughter to get it. “What shall I have engraved on the box,” she said? My reply; “Things to remember me by”! The grand daughter thought about the statement and then without batting an eye and even in front of the sales lady, she said; “Gramps! I’m not planning on dying soon”! I don’t know I thought to myself… this must be an age related thing. It ended up that she got the box, had it engraved with a heart with words of faith, hope and love and gave it to herself as a Christmas gift. Hey, I could have been watching the Patriots! Thanks Grammy; without your encouragement I would have missed a very precious moment.

ECCLESIASTES 7

Ecclesiastes 7:8 – You no doubt have heard the words, or maybe like me you have said them. “Timing is everything” the end of all things is always better than the beginning. Uncertainty as things develop will cause many people to react before the event is fully developed. So too wait for the right time is better; often the right time is when a matter is fully known. The emotions have died down and clear decisions can be made.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 – I enjoy this verse of scripture, it really fits the day does it not? People all around us are so quick to get angry. Solomon says that we control this by quickening our spirit to engage or control the moment; he also says that it is not the devil that encourages anger, but anger (an emotion) is at rest in the bosom of all of us and we are the one who disturbs or wakes it up. Those who vent anger are simply nothing more than fools.

Ecclesiastes 7:10 – There is nothing new under the sun so it is also foolish to say; “why were the former days better than these?” I know I have been guilty of this statement; “well fifty years ago, things were different” Solomon says this is not a wise question or statement; based on his discernment of life under the sun we have to agree… there is nothing new under the sun.