For to the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind. Ecclesiastes 2:26 WEB.In dog racing, they have a lure called a mechanical rabbit that runs along a rail beside the race track. At the start of the race, the dogs line up and then chase this rabbit around the circuit, but no one ever catches it. When the next race comes, the dogs line up again and chase the rabbit. If they were to ever catch up with it, they would find it was not nearly as satisfying as they thought, for it would just be a mouthful of hard plastic.
In the same way, many of us line up each day and chase an uncatchable rabbit. Success, money, and career are all well and fine, but they have to balance. God has given His people wisdom, knowledge, and joy. Not merely the struggle of gathering, collecting, and hoarding. If your main focus is on things, you will end up disappointed, even if you were to catch it.
There is a better way: First, delight yourself in the Lord, and then He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalms 37:4). Seek the kingdom of God first, and His righteousness and all of these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33). God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). When He blesses you, you are really blessed!
Do not fall into the rut of chasing a mechanical rabbit day after day while running past the most significant things in your life, which are not things. When your focus is on the Lord, the things you desire will begin to chase you, instead of you having to pursue them.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me to focus on You and grow my relationship. I choose You, Lord, draw my heart to You. Please work Your perfect will in my life and give me a clear vision of all that You have for me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!Note: Ladies, today is Thankful Thursday at the "Ladies in Distress" group (our RHM women's group)! You are welcome to join in our weekly sharing of thankfulness for the Lord's presence and any blessings you may have experienced, big or small! "Ladies in Distress" is a private group, so if you have any problems joining, just post anywhere and we will help you :). Here is the link:
Ladies in Distress > You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
Amen
Amen Father I am Yours
Amen Good Morning Everyone
Amen. Thank You Heavenly Father for all my Blessings. I praise you Lord. Amen
Amen!!
Thank you Jesus for all our wonderful blessings. Amen
Lord, please help me to focus on You and grow my relationship despite the demands of the work day. Thank you! AMEN
Lord help me to focus on you, your word and developing a true and faithful relationship that pleases you. Thank you for all your mercies and many blessings. Pastor, you nailed it, as usual. Thank you.
Thank you lord for all my blessings in jesus name amen
Heavenly Father I thank You so much for all Your blessings, love and care You have shown to me, help me to focus more in a closer relationship with You and to follow Your will. In Jesus Christ name I pray, Amen. Thank You Lord.
Awesome devotional Pastor, God bless you and Sylvia.
Amen! Thank You Lord!
God make a way. Amen
Wow another devotional that spoke to my heart and soul thank you so much pastor Dion for your honesty and your humility you make it easy to follow along and to grow in my walk with Jesus, your light shines bright!
Amen Lord
Amen!