Old Testament In a Year: June 30 – Ecclesiastes 7, 8, 9

Ecclesiastes 7, 8, 9
Focus Verse: Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. – Ecclesiastes 8:12

Do not envy those who do wrong, yet seem to have an easy and happy life. In the end, things will not be well for them.

Regardless of how difficult life may be right now, things will eventually be well and remain well for those who fear God. God does not forget His own. He is aware of those who do right and those who do wrong; and He will make sure that those who do right, fear Him, love Him, and obey His commandments are rewarded for all eternity.

Old Testament In a Year: June 29 – Ecclesiastes 4, 5, 6

Ecclesiastes 4, 5, 6
Focus Verse: For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! – Ecclesiastes 4:10

As a believer, you are never alone. You always have Someone by your side.

Even when you do not have another human being to help you, it is never just you. It is always you and God.

With Him by your side, you can withstand anything. And if you fall, He will lift you up.

Old Testament In a Year: June 28 – Ecclesiastes 1, 2, 3

Ecclesiastes 1, 2, 3
Focus Verse: Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. – Ecclesiastes 2:11

Only God, who is the Giver of life, can make life worth living.

If you seek after knowledge, earn a lot of degrees, make a lot of money, build yourself a fine house, buy a lot of cars and clothes, etc.; but never acknowledge God in what you do or in what you have, at the end of your life, you will see all that you have gained as worthless.

Only what is done for God truly matters. Only a life lived for Christ will last.

If you do everything for God – whether it is making money, getting a good education, or building yourself a house – then nothing you do will be in vain. At the end of your life, you will not despair that you have to leave all you worked for behind because you will know that you are going up yonder to gain something far better – eternal wealth, everlasting honor, and God Himself.

Old Testament In a Year: June 27 – 1 Kings 10, 11

1 Kings 10, 11
Focus Verse: She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. – 1 Kings 10:2

It is said that Solomon was the wisest person who ever lived, but there is one who is wiser and from whom Solomon got his wisdom – God. As King of kings, God knows everything. He has every answer to every question. Nothing is hidden from Him.

You can go to God and talk to Him about anything that is in your heart and all that is on your mind. No question is too difficult for Him to answer; no problem is too hard for Him to solve; and no situation is too complicated for Him to explain.

All wisdom and prosperity belongs to Him. Whatever you ask, whatever you desire, He can give to you.

Old Testament In a Year: June 26 – 1 Kings 8, 9

1 Kings 8, 9
Focus Verse: And he said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David my father, saying.” – 1 Kings 8:15

With Abraham (promising to make of him a great nation) and with David (promising to establish his throne forever), God first gave a verbal promise before providing its physical fulfillment.

Abraham and David had to believe God’s word before they saw His way. And you must do the same. Believe the promises that God has made to you in His Word. You may not see the way in which they will be fulfilled, but God is a God who keeps His word. Everything that He said He would do, He will do.

What God has promised to you with His mouth, He will fulfill with His hand. And when you cannot immediately see God’s hand at work, you must trust His heart.

Old Testament In a Year: June 25 – 1 Kings 5, 6, 7

1 Kings 5, 6, 7
Focus Verse: And so I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to David my father, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.’ – 1 Kings 5:5

Unlike David, his father, Solomon did not have to engage in any warfare. God gave Solomon rest from fighting and put his enemies under the soles of his feet. He experienced neither adversary nor misfortune.

What did Solomon do with all the peace and quiet time he had?

He decided to build a house for God. It is true that he also built a palace for himself, but constructing a house for God was his first priority. It took Solomon seven years to build God’s house and he put a great deal of attention, detail, and dedication into over those seven years.

Take a moment to consider: What are you doing for God?

Old Testament In a Year: June 24 – Song of Solomon 6, 7, 8

Song of Solomon 6, 7, 8
Focus Verse: Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. – Song of Solomon 8:7

Nothing can quench the love that God has for you. Nothing in nature – many waters, floods, storms; and nothing in humans – sin, hate, unbelief.

The love of God is inextinguishable, unquenchable, and indestructible. It is enduring, everlasting, and eternal.

If you think that God can’t love you because of things you’ve done wrong, nothing could be further from the truth. No one has committed any sin so great that God cannot love that person. In fact, the greater the sin, the greater is God’s love.

Nothing and nobody can quench the love of God.

Old Testament In a Year: June 23 – Song of Solomon 4, 5

Song of Solomon 4, 5
Focus Verse: …This is my beloved and this is my friend… – Song of Solomon 5:16

You are God’s beloved, meaning you are dearly loved by Him. So dearly loved that He died for you while you were still a sinner; helps you and holds you unfailingly; lives in you eternally; rejoices over you with gladness; and has given you a future and a hope.

You are also God’s friend. He does not consider you a servant or a sinner, but a friend.

Old Testament In a Year: June 22 – Song of Solomon 1, 2, 3

Song of Solomon 1, 2, 3
Focus Verse: Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved, truly delightful. – Song of Solomon 1:16

The love that is portrayed in this book is between Solomon and his bride, but it has often been compared to the love that God has for His children. The love that He has for you.

You are God’s beloved. You are beautiful and delightful in His eyes.

His love is better than anything you have ever experienced or will ever experience.

He is yours, and you are His.