Daily Devotionals

'Every Day Light' with Selwyn Hughes

Devotional: September 9th

For Reading and Meditation:
     Ecclesiastes 6:1-2

In this chapter Solomon continues to focus on those whom we generally refer to as "well heeled." But he also draws our attention to the plight of those who have everything life can offer, yet are prevented from enjoying it, not by circumstances, but by God Himself. Why would God do this? Is the Almighty an ogre who looks out for people who are enjoying themselves and then moves in at the crucial moment to sadistically deny them any feelings of pleasure? Surely such a cat-and-mouse game is unworthy of the Deity. Those who know God are aware that His purposes are always beneficent. In other words, nothing He does is done out of peevishness or caprice. When God acts to deny people enjoyment, it is because He wants to show them that He is the One who enables men and women to experience pleasure in things; the things themselves do not give pleasure. That might sound manipulative to some, but divine love never exploits. It might look like exploitation to us because we are short-sighted and cannot see the end from the beginning. The point is that if people were able to find contentment in money, then they would become spiritually myopic and look no further - money would become their idol. So the issue when reduced to basics is this - those who make money their god will never find contentment. Any god that usurps the place of the true God puts the soul "out of joint," so to speak. The power to give contentment belongs to God alone.

Gracious Father, I acknowledge with gratitude that You and You alone have the power to give contentment. I want no other god to reign in my heart except You, the one true God. Rule and hold sway, dear Father. Always. In Jesus' Name. Amen.