Wow, I really enjoyed this passage. To summarize, a small city with a few people in it were besieged by a large army (sounds like the Alamo, eh?).
However, there lived in the city a man who was poor but wise and because of his wisdom (and I assume his cunning), the city figured out a way to thwart the enemy and survive.
Why do I sometimes engage in activities into which I don’t pour my energy? It’s a waste of my time. In fact, it’s a waste of God’s time.
Have you ever thought about the manner in which God accomplishes things? Whenever He does something, He does it to the best of His perfect ability. However, He’s not constrained by time, so time is a non-factor.
A reminder and exhortation to the righteous are both found in this passage. First of all, one is useful on this earth only when he is alive. Secondly, God approves of righteous living, so keep on living in such a manner.
Let’s start with the common sense, “A living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing.” A running Model T is better than a junked Lamborghini; a functional typewriter is better than a smashed iPad; a living peasant is better than a dead president.
Man was originally flawless. God created man in His image, and both his body and soul were valuable testaments to the glory of God. But man has sinned, and now his body is worthless, a holding place for a human soul that God still considers valuable.
John 3:16 says,
“Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil…” Truly! Oh, how the truth hurts, eh? “…And after that they go to the dead.”
I am reminded of Romans 7, that well-known chapter in which Paul describes the struggle between his flesh and his new nature. Saved but still sinners are we! Declared righteous but still living unrighteously. Paul finally concedes in Romans 7:24, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”
What should I write about next? Are there issues that you are facing or that the church is facing today that need to be addressed? Take 15 seconds to let me know!
