“One thing you lack” (Part-3)

Mar. 10:21- Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him and said to him, One thing you lack. Ecc. 12:13 (GNB) After all this, there is only one thing to say: Have reverence for God, and obey his commands, because this is all that we were created for.

Greeting Friend!,

The “ONE THING” that we study this week is a part of the Epilogue of the Book of Ecclesiastes. Based on the prologue of the Book, we know the writer of Ecclesiastes is Solomon (1:1&12). Solomon wrote this Book probably in the last years of his life, primarily to warn the young people to avoid human wisdom and to fear God.

The Key phrase that we see in this Book is “all is vanity”. Solomon, the Wise Man used this word 38 times declaring that many things life are difficult to understand and produce no meaning for life.

Vanity of vanities, says the preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What is the profit to a man in all his labor which he labors under the sun? (Ecc. 1:2&3)

The Phrase “under the sun” is found 30 times in the Book. So as per the Solomon, all is vanity under the sun.

But we need to know that all is vanity only if we live our lives under the sun. We need to learn to live the life above the sun.

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Be mindful of things above, not on things on the earth. Col 3:1&2 

The Hebrew word translated “vanity” expresses the futile attempt to be satisfied apart from God. If we live our lives as per the worldly standards with worldly world view of life, all is vanity.

Happiness and the life’s meaning are not found Lower World but it is to be found in Heavenly places and heavenly things. 

Vanity of vanities, says the preacher; all is vanity. And more than that, the preacher was wise; he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he listened, and looked, and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought to find out pleasing words; and words of truth written by the upright. The words of the wise are like goads; yes, their collected words are like nails driven home; they are given from one Shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be warned: The making of many books has no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good, or whether evil. Ecc 12:8-14. 

The Wisest man who has ever lived, the king of Israel, after speaking on various issues of man’s life and human wisdom, tells greatness of God’s Word. Solomon tells us that there is no good profit for reading the books written out of human wisdom. All the books written by men will go away but only God’s Word will endure forever.  

God is our Shepherd, and the Preacher here uses the two Shepherd’s tools to explain us the importance of God’s Word. (1.) Goads.  (2.) Nails.  God’s Word motivates the reluctant sheep (like goads) and secures the sheep from wondering to enemy’s territory. 

At the end, the Wise man, one who had the best knowledge and experience of wealth, pleasure, power and wisdom tells about the ONE THING that a man need to do. 

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man. (Ecc 12:13) 

Fear God:  

The same wise man talks emphatically about fearing God and its implications, in the Book of Proverbs.

1.      Pro_1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

2.      Pro_8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

3.      Pro_9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

4.      Pro_10:27  The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

5.      Pro_14:26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

6.      Pro_14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

7.      Pro_15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

8.      Pro_16:6  By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

9.      Pro_19:23  The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

10.  Pro_22:4  By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

What is the meaning of “fear God”?

Fearing God can be two ways; one may fear God because God may hurt him, which is the bad fear and the other may fear God because he may hurt God, which is the good fear.

We can know from the Bible that God can be hurt because of our wrongs deeds. Scriptures records in many places that, God was grieved. God is our Shepherd and we are His Sheep and we need to make him a happy Father all the time. (as I mentioned in the New Year’s Devotion)

So let us fear God and not hurt Him, because He sent His son, Lord Jesus to this world. Lord Jesus came and shed His blood for us. He gave His everything to me. God, help, that I may never hurt you. 

Keep His Commandments:

And Jesus answered him, the first of all the commandments is, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment. And the second is like this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. Mar 12:29-31 

Let us patiently read the few verses from God’s Word.

1.      Mat_19:17 And He said to him, if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.

2.      Joh_14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.

3.      Joh_14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.

4.      Joh_15:10 If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.

5.      1Co_7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

6.      1Jn_2:3 And by this we know that we have known Him, if we keep His commandments.

7.      1Jn_2:4 He who says, I have known Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

8.      1Jn_3:22 And whatever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

9.      1Jn_5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, whenever we love God and keep His commandments.

10.  1Jn_5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.

11.  2Jn_1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.

12.  Rev_14:12 Here is the patience of the saints. Here are the ones who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

13.  Rev_22:14 Blessed are they who do His commandments, that their authority will be over the Tree of Life, and they may enter in by the gates into the city.

We need to fear God and keep His commandments so that we may stand boldly before the Judgment of seat and may enjoy the life in eternity with the Lord Jesus. 

That is why Solomon tells that, “Rejoice, in your youth, young man; and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment”. (Ecc. 11:9)  

May God helps and bless us so that we may get Lord’s appreciation on the Day of Judgment!

With Warm Regards, 

Parimal Kumar Yangala. 

P.S. - Thank you for reading this blog. Please pray for this initiative.

“One thing you lack” (Part-2)

Mar 10:21- Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him and said to him, One thing you lack. Ps. 27:4- One thing have I asked of Jehovah, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of Jehovah, And to inquire in his temple.

Greetings Friend!,

As mentioned in the last week, today we are going to see the “one thing” mentioned by the King David in Psalms 27.

One thing have I asked of Jehovah

One main purpose; one main objective: one thing that I have especially desired; one thing which has been the object of my constant wish.

What would be the one thing that our heart desires always? What desire takes the most our waking hours? Is it the house, family, career or position? King David was not asking for honor and riches but the God’s presence above all.

We should have the right desire and we also need to have the right target for our desires, “asked of Jehovah”. God is the source of all blessings.

Jas 1:17- Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning.

Ps. 20:4- May He give you what you desire and make all your plans succeed.

Mat.7:7 - Ask, and it shall be given you;

That will I seek after

How earnest David was for the Lord’s presence. The leading the ruling desire for David was to stay in God’s abode. What are we seeking after? David has the desire and he is seeking after the same.

Sometimes we do have the heart for Righteousness but we may not seek after the same consciously. King David teaches us to have the goal and to pursue it. We always need to make conscious and active efforts to seek after Him.

Mt.6:33- But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

When we put God first and are concerned about His work and His will, He will provide for us whatever the other things we need

Heb. 11:6-  and without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.

Mat. 7:7- Seek you shall find

That I may dwell in the house of Jehovah

This is the one desire of David and this primary desire of the psalmist has more than once mentioned the psalms.

Ps.23:6- Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Ps. 26:8 Jehovah, I have loved the dwelling place of Your house, and the place where Your honor dwells.

The Sweet Psalmist Israel longed to be in God’s presence and no wonder he was called “man after God’s own heart”

Ps. 65:4 Oh, how wonderful it is to be the people you chose to come and stay in your Temple. And we are so happy to have the wonderful things that are in your Temple, your holy palace.

Ps. 84:2-4 My soul longs, yea, even faints for the courts of Jehovah; my heart and my flesh shout for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself where she may lay her young, Your altars, O Jehovah of Hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are they who dwell in Your house; they will still praise You. Selah

Ps. 84:10 - One day in your Temple is better than a thousand days anywhere else. Serving as a guard at the gate of my God's house is better than living in the homes of the wicked.

We can find a lot of similar verses in the Book of Psalms. Though Psalms 84 is written by the sons of Korah, the spirit and the heart behind 27^th Psalm looks the same. David also feels that the people works in the temple are having the privileged work than any other position in the World.

All the days of my life

Haven is enjoying in God’s presence for eternity. There will not be any induction classes in heaven for teaching the people to learn how to live in heaven for eternity in God’s presence without feeling bored. We should learn to live in God’s presence 24X7 here on this planet, so that we may experience haven on the earth.  

There should be constant communion with God. As the electrical locomotive is always connected by Overhead Lines, to get the power to go forward, we also need to be connected and powered from above to move forward in the Christian life. 

To behold the beauty of Jehovah

Barns Says, “In the tabernacle and in the temple there was a manifestation of the character of God not seen elsewhere. The whole worship was adapted to set forth his greatness, his glory, and his grace. Great truths were brought before the mind, fitted to elevate, to comfort, and to sanctify the soul; and it was in the contemplation of those truths that the psalmist sought to elevate and purify his own mind, and to sustain himself in the troubles and perplexities of life”. 

Ps. 73:15-18- If I had said, I will speak thus; Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children. When I thought how I might know this, It was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God, And considered their latter end.

We can find the answers for certain perplex questions of life only in God’s presence.

Ps.  63:2-5 So have I looked upon thee in the sanctuary, To see thy power and thy glory. Because thy loving kindness is better than life, My lips shall praise thee. So will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; And my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips

 O worship the Lord, in the beauty of holiness: fear before him all the earth. (Ps.96:9)

Some of us know the story of the Great Stone Face by Nathaniel Hawthorne. When Moses contemplated on God and spent good amount of quality and quantity of time in His presence, the face Moses began to shine (Ex. 34:35) 

And to inquire in His temple. 

To seek the face of the Lord, to consult him in matters of difficulty and moment; to search after the knowledge of divine things, and to ask for blessings of grace, for which he will be inquired of by his people, to bestow them on them.  

David is known for enquiring the Lord and getting His counsel in times of Decision making. (1Sa. 22:10; 30:8; 2Sa. 21:1; 1Ch. 10:13-14) 

Heb. 4:16 Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need. 

Conclusion

We should learn to live in God’s presence all the time. We shoube connected always to God and get the power from above.

Jesus Says, Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. (John.15:4)

May God help us so that we may remain in His presence always and live fruitful lives!

With Warm Regards,

Parimal Kumar Yangala.

“One thing you lack” (Part-1)

Mar 10:21- Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him and said to him, One thing you lack.

The Poor Young Man…

Here is a meeting between Christ and the Rich Young Ruler. This episode is recorded in all the three synoptic Gospels (Mt. 19: 16-26, Mk. 10:17-27 and Lk. 18:18-27). From these three passages we know that this man was RICH, YOUNG and also a RULER (probably in the synagogue). He has Health, Wealth and a Position in the Society. In a worldly sense, he may be the successful and happy person.

 

The True rich are only the ones that know the Savior personally and have the assurance of eternal life (Jn. 5:24)

 

And in all humility and sincerity, this man ran to Jesus and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.

This man is eternity conscious, though he is rich and young, he yet thinks about eternal life. Heb. 11:9, 10 - By faith Abraham lived in the land of promise as a stranger, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs of the same promise with him. For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Are we eternity Conscious in day to day life?

Some critics say that Jesus is denying His Goodness here in this passage which is not true. Jesus claimed Himself that He is the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:11). So here, Jesus is not disclaiming or denying His Goodness or Deity rather affirming that He is Good and He is God and saying to this man that all are sinners except God. In fact, Jesus was asking him; if you call me good, do you believe that I Am God. Here Jesus was enquiring his motives – WHY do you call ME good?

Sincerity and humility in seeking out for an Answer is not just enough there need to be courage and faith to follow the Answer

 

And Jesus said unto him, You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and your mother.

And he answered and said to Him, Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth.

Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him and said to him, One thing you lack. (If you want to be perfect), Go, sell whatever you have and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in Heaven. And come, take up the cross and follow Me.

And he was sad at that saying and went away grieved, for he had great possessions.

This young man’s heart cannot be separated from His riches. “Here Jesus is not making either philanthropy or poverty as the requirement for salvation, but exposing the young man’s heart” (John MacArthur).

Mat 6:24 No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Mat 5:48 - Therefore be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.

Jesus loves Young People and He asks us to make certain sacrifices for eternal gain. How good it will be if we follow His command and become His Disciples.

 

Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary!

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary

Mat. 16:24-  Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me

Jn. 12:26-If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there also My servant shall be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

 Let us be eternity conscious and follow the LORD and love him more than the riches of the earth. 1Jn. 4:19- We love Him because He first loved us.

It will be very interesting to see from the Bible some of those “one thing” s that Bible Underlines. We see this phrase many times in the Bible, but coming weeks I am hoping to study and write on these following verses…

1.      Psa 27:4 One thing have I asked of Jehovah, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of Jehovah, And to inquire in his temple.

2.      Ecc 12:13 (GNB) After all this, there is only one thing to say: Have reverence for God, and obey his commands, because this is all that we were created for.

3.      Lam 3:21 (GNB) Yet hope returns when I remember this one thing:

4.      Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

5.      Joh 9:25  He therefore answered, Whether he is a sinner, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

6.      1Co 4:2  (GNB)The one thing required of such servants is that they be faithful to their master.

7.      Php 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,

8.      2Pe 3:8  But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

 Thank you and May God bless you! See you next week with the same topic…