THE THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Do not strive to be important, someone you are not meant to be, let God do His thing, for status you cannot bring with you
“13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. 14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor. 15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. 16 There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.”
Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 (KJV)
Ecclesiastes 4
In this particular verse, the word comforter is not referencing the Holy Spirit
Ecclesiastes 4:1 (KJV), “So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.”
Strong’s Concordance (5162) – nacham: to be sorry, console oneself. Brown-Driver-Briggs – 4. comfort oneself, ease oneself, by taking vengeance with.
With all of the oppression in the world, Solomon says it would be better if you were not born then have to face it
Ecclesiastes 4:2-3 (KJV), “2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. 3 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.”
It seems that no matter how hard we work to support ourselves and our families, it never seems to be enough as we continue to covet what others have and we do not
Ecclesiastes 4:4 (KJV), “Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity [worthless] and vexation [agitating] of spirit.”
Vanity
Strong’s Concordance (1892) – hebel: vapor, breath. Brown-Driver-Briggs – 2. figurative of what is evanescent, unsubstantial, worthless.
Vexation
KJV states “vexation” or agitating. NKJV has “grasping for the wind”. NASB 1995 has “vanity and striving”.
Solomon tells us that it is never good to be alone in life
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (KJV), “9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Where two are closely joined in holy love and fellowship, Christ will, by his Spirit, come to them, and make the third [threefold cord]
Do not live for status, it all passes away
Hosea 14
Israel Restored at Last
It is NEVER too late to surrender to God or return if you have fallen [backslidden]
Hosea 14:1-3 (KJV), “O Israel [children of God], return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. 2 Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. 3 Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands [allow foolish idols into our lives], Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.”
God is always forgiving
Hosea 14:4 (KJV), “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.”
Proverbs 26
Be judicious with your tongue [mouth]
Proverbs 26:3-6 (KJV), “3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back. 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. 6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.”
Grow in the Word of the Lord 