Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 28, 2020
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13
My husband and I live in the beautiful Colorado mountains. For over 30 years, I wanted to have a view filled with pines and peaks, and in 2018 God fulfilled that desire. Each day, I see beauty all around, but there’s a part of me that still longs to be near family. I miss my grandson and bonus kids, my Mom, sister, brother, and sister-in-law. I miss my nieces, nephew, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
While thinking about this early this morning, I was reminded that no matter how wonderful life is, there will always be an ache in our hearts for more.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
God has created us so that we have an awareness that there is something more—and an ache for that something more. And yet, this side of heaven, that ache can never be satisfied.
And so, the writer of Ecclesiastes says, “I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—which is the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 3:14).
To experience happiness and do good, and to experience contentment is a choice—and often a moment-by-moment choice. If I think that getting a new job will make me entirely happy, or having more friends will make me entirely happy, or even being near family will make me entirely happy and make my ache go away, I need to remember Ecclesiastes 3:11: everyone has an ache that can never be satisfied this side of heaven because we were made for heaven.
It’s good to remember that discontentment will always pull on our hearts while we live on earth because God has set eternity in our hearts. When we recognize that we will always struggle with this until we go home to heaven, we won’t be lured away by this enticement or that one, believing it can fully satisfy.
Then—in a twist of irony—when we recognize that nothing in this world can take away our ache, we can become more content and enjoy life in a greater way, just like the writer of Ecclesiastes says. We won’t be burdened by always striving in dissatisfaction. That’s great news, right?
“Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind” (Ecclesiastes 6:9).
Prayer
Lord, I thank you that you have promised to meet all of my needs and that you have my best interest in mind. Help me to remember this and to cease from striving and to trust you with all of my needs. Amen.
Application
Do you believe that if you only have this or that you will be more satisfied? Trust God with your provision and thank Him that He will always provide for you.
Related Reading
James 4:1-3; Psalm 23:1-6; Matthew 6:25
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