June 22, 2020
My Devotion
My Heart
Nothing New
Teresa Jenkins
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9
Solomon, the wisest man ever. When he became the king of Israel after his father David died, God appeared to him and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon answered God. “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches, and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.” 2Chronicles 1:7-12
Every night I go to sleep and ask God for peace, for reconciliation, for this country to stop fighting. Every morning I wake up and all is right with the world again…within the walls of my home...the news reminds me the opposite is true. It seems every day it gets worse, but does it? “What has been will be again.” In this world we will have trouble of every kind possible under the sun. “Let there be peace on earth,” is a very nice sentiment, it’s also a wonderful goal. There is no peace as long as there is no good will toward men, women or children.
God has made a way available for every person to know peace and has given them the choice to make. What we see all around us is so many want what they want and will do whatever it takes to get it. There is nothing new under the sun, everything we see happening on the news has happened before and unless this is the final phase for Jesus’ return, it will happen again. History unless it’s been removed or rewritten shows us wars, plagues, greed, and control since the beginning of time. But the news targets the fear factor that nothing like this has ever happened before. But it has and those who have gone before us and survived know that adversity and burdens made them stronger. Ecclesiastes is a book of life lessons and the truth that God’s way is the only way to truth and life. That everything we chase for happiness is futile, but God’s way leads to everlasting peace, joy, and even happiness. It also says the sooner, younger, we learn this the better off we will be.
We who believe in Jesus Christ, know that He is the only way, the truth and the life. I think this truth that we believe in is why we are dismayed because it appears that there are fewer and fewer that believe it, much less live it. I am just trying to grab a tight grip on the joy of the Lord and the peace that He has promised, but there are so many distractions, so many interruptions. All the more reason to stop trying to understand and seek and hide in the shelter of God. Have you ever read Psalm 91? Have you ever made it personal when you read it. The Bible teaches us that we will find God when we seek Him with our whole heart. Psalm 91 says if we just stay in His shelter, even His shadow will protect us? His shadow alone is that awesome. Shadow: outline, shape, profile; an inseparable attendant or companion.
Although there is nothing new under the sun, what we see happening is new to us, it’s frightening to say the least, but we have the truth. When it appears that God has turned His back, He is working all things together for our good. He may restore our land or take us to His kingdom. It’s good news when we face trials of many kinds, because we rest in the shelter of the Most High. Count it all joy and the joy will make it known that the King of kings and Lord of lords is, was, and will be on His throne.
