This was part of a paper that I was required to write for a graduate class I am taking now. It helps to enlighten what conversion really looks like.
"Saul was up to his usual persecution when on the road to Damascus one day heaven itself opened up and He saw Jesus. Jesus asked him, “Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me?” Saul being confused as he was asked, “Who are you Lord?” Christ’s reply was, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." Paul was blinded at that moment and stayed so for three days. The travelers that were there with him were shocked. It is almost for sure that the believers their heard the voice so that they would be able to testify to the accounts that had happened to him there on that day. Later God sent Ananias to him to remove His blindness and have him baptized. This experience was paradigm shifting for Paul that only very few could ever comprehend. This experience crumbled his world in different ways, mainly in his understanding and God.
Before this experience Paul was trying everything that he could to please God. He was not a nominal Jew. He was a leading Pharisee that was advancing greatly in Judaism. He was learning under the best teachers of the Jewish faith. It can be for sure that there were very few Jews that would have ever have question his election. He was not only a good Jew but he was full of zeal for God, or so he thought. He was doing everything that there was so that he would please God and bring prosperity to Israel. He was persecuting Christians because for him this was a service to God. With the persecution he believed that he was doing the will of God and cleansing the Jews so that they would benefit from prosperity and freedom from the Romans. He actually believed that he was among the most faithful men in all Israel that cared for the will of God above all other things. Paul was doing everything that he could to seek God, and not totally blind, he was following the law (the divine Word of God) to the letter as well. Then to have this experience had to have blown his mind. There is little doubt that this experience was like that of Isaiah in Isaiah 6, where he calls himself lost because he has seen the Lord. The entire ordeal must have been so terribly frightening that he was expecting fire to come from heaven and incinerate him. This is what happens when one sees God. So his entire idea of how people are saved was turned upside down. He was convinced that there was nothing that could be done to get salvation on the behalf of a non-believer. He tried everything and found himself worse then lost, he was a murderer of the people of God. So his ideas about election had astronomical changes. He was then convinced that there was not a single thing that man could do to get God’s favor. Even those who’s intentions were an attempt to get God’s favor were totally lost unless God revealed the mystery to them.
Election being the first thing that changed drastically in his mind is coupled with the second. The second is grace. There is little doubt that Paul was an extreme legalist before the Damascus road experience. He though that the covenant was kept by ‘good’ works and doing the Law of the Lord. After this experience he came to realize that his understanding of the Law was grossly wrong. He had considered the Law as a way that people were kept by God, saved by election and kept by Law. This idea changed and he realized that the Law was so overbearing that it could do nothing but to kill the people that were under it. For him there was no longer life in the Law, it was all dried up. Only death and destruction lie at the source of what he considered able to maintain salvation. Similar to this is the idea of grace. Think about how much his paradigm had to change when he saw Jesus that day. He was literally, at that moment in time, dragging Christians off to imprisonment and eventually their death! He saw the Lord. He should have been destroyed in the blink on an eye. Fire and all hell should have come to swallow him for the sin that he was committing at that very minute. Instead what happened, he was shown grace by God. He was forgiven. He must have not been able to speak for days, because he realized there was no good inside him at all. He was now convinced, for sure that he was nothing but condemnation in everything he had ever done. One can barley imagine what his understanding of grace had to be from that time forward in life. It had to be inexpressible for him. He was truly the worst of sinners, and not just in his mind, but literally, still God chose him and gave him grace and salvation.
His outlook on God changed more drastically in one day than is likely for us to have happen in a decade. God was now A) Christ, B) giver of grace (because man is incapable of good), and C) the one to call people elect. The entire attitude of Paul changed that day in such a way that there was no going back. God impressed the truth on his heart that day and there was no more turning back to the way things were, Paul’s vision was sufficient. He was saved by grace, he had to have been speechless for those three days (of blindness), amazed and in awe. The evidence of a life changed by that experience is found in his words of the New Testament. He was sold out from that point forward, that God called people, saved them by grace, and protected them all the years of their lives."
fe•lic•i•ty \fi-ˈli-sə-tē\ n , pl –ties 1 : the quality or state of being happy; esp : great happiness 2 : something that causes happiness…
(Webster's New American Dictionary)
(Webster's New American Dictionary)
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Confession of a Pragmatist
So, It has been unearthed that I am a pragmatist. What exactly does that mean?
prag⋅ma⋅tist
1.a person who is oriented toward the success or failure of a particular line of action, thought, etc.; a practical person.(Dictionary.com)
Simply this looks like someone who has really practical and helpful advice to get people through a situation. They see a problem/situation and they know exactly what to do to fix that problem.
The scary part about this is that it looks really effective and wise on the surface. Think about it, someone always knows how to solve a problem in the best and most effective way. What is wrong with that, should we not desire to be more like that?
No we should not. Why? Because this is turning systems into the savior of situations and formulas into the fixer upper of broken people. Ultimately the problem with pragmatism is that there is some concept that if I do this in a certain situation it will all be ok, fixed, work, whatever. The problem here is that there is no room left for God.
Example:
Someone comes to me because they want someone to talk to about a problem they are having. They are having a hard time trusting in the goodness of God or something of that nature. A Pragmatist knows a list of verses that relate to this subject. The pragmatist will tell the sufferer these verses and to trust in God and not themselves. All this is good but there is one problem here. The pragmatist things that if this person knows these verse and if they are given the advise that is Godley advise then the problem should be fixed. They are relying in their words to fix the problem and not God.
This is hard to detect sometime because all the things they say are right, the problem is what they are trusting in to get the job done. The pragmatist thinks that their idea seems to fit best and that it has worked in the past so therefore it is a good formula for that situation. The pragmatist does not understand when things do not work out like they thought they would. They forget that the one who open eyes to see and heals the broken hearted is God, not just Godley advice. The advice should do one thing, it should take the broken to God for healing, not it in itself do the healing. The power to heal is in the Lord and His word.
The pragmatist like myself need to repent for trusting in systems and experience to deliver us. Like all sinner we need to turn back to God and realize that is where the real change comes from.
prag⋅ma⋅tist
1.a person who is oriented toward the success or failure of a particular line of action, thought, etc.; a practical person.(Dictionary.com)
Simply this looks like someone who has really practical and helpful advice to get people through a situation. They see a problem/situation and they know exactly what to do to fix that problem.
The scary part about this is that it looks really effective and wise on the surface. Think about it, someone always knows how to solve a problem in the best and most effective way. What is wrong with that, should we not desire to be more like that?
No we should not. Why? Because this is turning systems into the savior of situations and formulas into the fixer upper of broken people. Ultimately the problem with pragmatism is that there is some concept that if I do this in a certain situation it will all be ok, fixed, work, whatever. The problem here is that there is no room left for God.
Example:
Someone comes to me because they want someone to talk to about a problem they are having. They are having a hard time trusting in the goodness of God or something of that nature. A Pragmatist knows a list of verses that relate to this subject. The pragmatist will tell the sufferer these verses and to trust in God and not themselves. All this is good but there is one problem here. The pragmatist things that if this person knows these verse and if they are given the advise that is Godley advise then the problem should be fixed. They are relying in their words to fix the problem and not God.
This is hard to detect sometime because all the things they say are right, the problem is what they are trusting in to get the job done. The pragmatist thinks that their idea seems to fit best and that it has worked in the past so therefore it is a good formula for that situation. The pragmatist does not understand when things do not work out like they thought they would. They forget that the one who open eyes to see and heals the broken hearted is God, not just Godley advice. The advice should do one thing, it should take the broken to God for healing, not it in itself do the healing. The power to heal is in the Lord and His word.
The pragmatist like myself need to repent for trusting in systems and experience to deliver us. Like all sinner we need to turn back to God and realize that is where the real change comes from.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The Cure for Procrastination
It is near finals time and I, like most college students, have real problems procrastinating. It seems that we want to do whatever it is other then work, or the work that does not need to be done. Many a time I will find myself cleaning the kitchen (yes, I live with other guys and there are no wives to help us!) more them doing the work that I need to be doing.
This has been a serious problem for years and I have found the true cure! The problem is that we are working for the grade, we are working for ourselves. Honestly I believe that we need to be working for the Lord in all the things that we do. I see so many other young men today that have no motivation to achieve their dreams. Even their greatest (or so they think) desires are not strong enough to get them off of the couch. I say that they need to find something bigger than them.
“Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”
- Col 3.22, 23
The way that we beat procrastination is to give our work to the Lord as an offering. Our love for Him and our desire to please His so great that it can revolutionize the way that we work. I put this into practice at my Ice Cream scooping job a few months ago. I had more joy in the things that I was doing. I literally was giving up to God the scoops that I put into cups that customers were going to buy. I was joyful, so much so that co-workers and customers alike asked why I was so happy. The people over we were amazed as well as to the sudden drive and attention to detail that I had in all my work.
I attempt to do the same in my school work as well. Often that means many more an hour at the computer and in books then playing video games and staring at walls with friends. I have to say that giving my work as a gift to the Lord has given me more motivation to do well then any other motivation that I can remember. Let this change your life and the way that you work.
"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
- Luke 16:10
This has been a serious problem for years and I have found the true cure! The problem is that we are working for the grade, we are working for ourselves. Honestly I believe that we need to be working for the Lord in all the things that we do. I see so many other young men today that have no motivation to achieve their dreams. Even their greatest (or so they think) desires are not strong enough to get them off of the couch. I say that they need to find something bigger than them.
“Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”
- Col 3.22, 23
The way that we beat procrastination is to give our work to the Lord as an offering. Our love for Him and our desire to please His so great that it can revolutionize the way that we work. I put this into practice at my Ice Cream scooping job a few months ago. I had more joy in the things that I was doing. I literally was giving up to God the scoops that I put into cups that customers were going to buy. I was joyful, so much so that co-workers and customers alike asked why I was so happy. The people over we were amazed as well as to the sudden drive and attention to detail that I had in all my work.
I attempt to do the same in my school work as well. Often that means many more an hour at the computer and in books then playing video games and staring at walls with friends. I have to say that giving my work as a gift to the Lord has given me more motivation to do well then any other motivation that I can remember. Let this change your life and the way that you work.
"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
- Luke 16:10
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Joy and Madness!!!
A few weeks ago I was helping a brother with some of his struggles and doubts. They are the same doubts that I have had time and time again and the Lord has been the one that has kept me through them. It come sometimes when I look around at the world and see that things are broken and that they seam almost hopeless, I know that I am not good and I know that I cannot do anything myself. The thing that compounds it is the fact that there are all kinds of unbelievers who are walking around saying that life is great and that everything is perfect, they would rather be no one else.
How can this be? Can the Gospel be true if I am so down and the wicked around me are in constant bliss? I thought that I was supposed to be happy and find joy in all things, but my spirit is crushed. At this point despair for the saved can be great and troubling. Without saying to anyone they quietly doubt in the promises of Christ. I have been their too! I know that Christ’s words are the words of life, but how can so many who do not know Him walk without any fear or longing? This struggle is not uncommon to the people of God, so take encouragement.
I believe that there are two major things going on during a time like this. One, in the lost and one, in the believer.
“I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, "It is mad," and of pleasure, "What use is it?" I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines,[a] the delight of the children of man.
So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. 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 2.1-11 (ESV)
What we have here is madness. The life of the unbeliever that looks great and looks wonderful is actually just the mad rant of a crazy person. They do not know of the disease they have and they do not understand the truth that is so plain for them to see. They walk around and see things as though they were all according to plan but they do not understand the world around them and much less the things of Heaven. They have taken to the things of the world to bring them happiness and good times, little do they know that they are being deceived and that the things of the world are fleeting and passing away.
“And he told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, “What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.” ‘Then he said, “This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself,” ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ “But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?" This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
Mark 12.16-21 (ESV)
Like the man in the parable, they are blind to the things around them and they do not know of what befalls those who disbelieve God. So what appears as joy in these unbelievers is actually madness for they know not all the things of God. Do not envy over this fleeting blind madness, instead seek the true happiness that come from God.
For the believer there suffering comes from what all sin spawns from, unbelief. To the one who God has given eyes to see and ears to hear, they see the fallen state of the world. They know that there is no good in it and that it all is damned if the hand of the Lord were ever to depart. Looking around they see a world that is grim and bleak, and know that there are all sorts of problems. The believer is prone to compare his life and be depressed that they have so little, seeing the multitude around them that seams to be prospering in every way.
"Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?"
Psalm 77.7-9 (ESV)
Take encouragement, for the Lord is the Lord of things not seen. This world is not your final dwelling. You have hope in something much greater and have been promised by one who’s promises are strong. You have been called to something greater. You have been called to Joy! Joy is a gift and God wishes it upon His children. We suffer now but the day of the Lord is coming and the sin that entangles us within this broken world will be thrown off and we will live with God in the city of lights. Our hope is not for this world, but for the things to come, and remember the one who promised. Live Heaven minded and cast your cares on the Lord.
“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
1 Timothy 6.12 (NIV)
Know your struggle with doubt is not uncommon. Remember the promises of God and the might works of His hands.
“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph…
When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled.The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side.The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook.Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”
Psalms 77.11-20
That speaks of your Father, take encouragement that He has called you as His child. It is the greatest calling one can hope to receive upon the Earth. There is no greater honor that can be bestowed upon a man then to be called by God. So, do not envy the false happiness but ask the Father for Joy and felicity.
How can this be? Can the Gospel be true if I am so down and the wicked around me are in constant bliss? I thought that I was supposed to be happy and find joy in all things, but my spirit is crushed. At this point despair for the saved can be great and troubling. Without saying to anyone they quietly doubt in the promises of Christ. I have been their too! I know that Christ’s words are the words of life, but how can so many who do not know Him walk without any fear or longing? This struggle is not uncommon to the people of God, so take encouragement.
I believe that there are two major things going on during a time like this. One, in the lost and one, in the believer.
“I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, "It is mad," and of pleasure, "What use is it?" I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines,[a] the delight of the children of man.
So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. 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 2.1-11 (ESV)
What we have here is madness. The life of the unbeliever that looks great and looks wonderful is actually just the mad rant of a crazy person. They do not know of the disease they have and they do not understand the truth that is so plain for them to see. They walk around and see things as though they were all according to plan but they do not understand the world around them and much less the things of Heaven. They have taken to the things of the world to bring them happiness and good times, little do they know that they are being deceived and that the things of the world are fleeting and passing away.
“And he told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, “What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.” ‘Then he said, “This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself,” ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ “But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?" This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
Mark 12.16-21 (ESV)
Like the man in the parable, they are blind to the things around them and they do not know of what befalls those who disbelieve God. So what appears as joy in these unbelievers is actually madness for they know not all the things of God. Do not envy over this fleeting blind madness, instead seek the true happiness that come from God.
For the believer there suffering comes from what all sin spawns from, unbelief. To the one who God has given eyes to see and ears to hear, they see the fallen state of the world. They know that there is no good in it and that it all is damned if the hand of the Lord were ever to depart. Looking around they see a world that is grim and bleak, and know that there are all sorts of problems. The believer is prone to compare his life and be depressed that they have so little, seeing the multitude around them that seams to be prospering in every way.
"Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?"
Psalm 77.7-9 (ESV)
Take encouragement, for the Lord is the Lord of things not seen. This world is not your final dwelling. You have hope in something much greater and have been promised by one who’s promises are strong. You have been called to something greater. You have been called to Joy! Joy is a gift and God wishes it upon His children. We suffer now but the day of the Lord is coming and the sin that entangles us within this broken world will be thrown off and we will live with God in the city of lights. Our hope is not for this world, but for the things to come, and remember the one who promised. Live Heaven minded and cast your cares on the Lord.
“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
1 Timothy 6.12 (NIV)
Know your struggle with doubt is not uncommon. Remember the promises of God and the might works of His hands.
“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph…
When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled.The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side.The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook.Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”
Psalms 77.11-20
That speaks of your Father, take encouragement that He has called you as His child. It is the greatest calling one can hope to receive upon the Earth. There is no greater honor that can be bestowed upon a man then to be called by God. So, do not envy the false happiness but ask the Father for Joy and felicity.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
My Felicity
I am Forest Gafford, and this is my blog. I have entitled this blog Forest’s Felicity because in it I will discuss the thing that brings me happiness. The question then is what is that thing…
I have found these proverbs to be helpful in my search.
“There is nothing better for a man then to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can drink without him? For to a person who is good in His eyes He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy.”
Ecclesiastes 2.24-26
“I know there is nothing better for them then to rejoice and do good in ones lifetime; Moreover that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor – It is the gift of God.”
Ecclesiastes 3.12-13
“Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and to enjoy one’s self in all ones labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. Furthermore, as to everyman to whom God has given riches and wealth, he has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward, and rejoice in his labor, this is a gift of God. For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.”
Ecclesiastes 5.18-20
Clearly throughout the entire book of Ecclesiastes Solomon comes to this same conclusion over and over again. The only thing that can gift true happiness, a happiness and joy that keeps one form nostalgic recollections of former times because of his current overflow of happiness, is God.
True happiness is not something that we can attain on our own. No, it instead is something that is gifted by God. So, this means that we should not be looking for it, but that we should be asking for it. If you read all the book it makes it clear that it is not the food or the drink he talks of that bring happiness, because that can be done without receiving happiness at all. So my felicity is not something that I can chase after, as though it could be caught (like chasing the wind [Ecc. 1.6], that so many people do). Solomon tried to find it and really found nothing but madness and grief; yes, even knowledge failed him, for nothing else can deliver what is God’s to gift. The best I can do is plead for happiness and joy when I ask for my daily bread in the name of Christ. In this we should will place my hope and hope will not disappoint.
One more thing, that even in the times of suffering and the times of pain there is the great hope of things promised by God.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5.4
Also there is a greater hope that God has gifted to all God’s children, the promise of the life to come. This promise should forever change the way His children view suffering and strife.
“But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.”
Hebrews 10:32-34
So I have created this blog to share my heart and findings and so that others might share in the felicity that God has granted to me. Other men have taught and helped me in coming as far as I have in this great happiness. So similarly to the authors of scripture, I write these things so that both readers and I might have our joy made complete.
I have found these proverbs to be helpful in my search.
“There is nothing better for a man then to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can drink without him? For to a person who is good in His eyes He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy.”
Ecclesiastes 2.24-26
“I know there is nothing better for them then to rejoice and do good in ones lifetime; Moreover that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor – It is the gift of God.”
Ecclesiastes 3.12-13
“Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and to enjoy one’s self in all ones labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. Furthermore, as to everyman to whom God has given riches and wealth, he has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward, and rejoice in his labor, this is a gift of God. For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.”
Ecclesiastes 5.18-20
Clearly throughout the entire book of Ecclesiastes Solomon comes to this same conclusion over and over again. The only thing that can gift true happiness, a happiness and joy that keeps one form nostalgic recollections of former times because of his current overflow of happiness, is God.
True happiness is not something that we can attain on our own. No, it instead is something that is gifted by God. So, this means that we should not be looking for it, but that we should be asking for it. If you read all the book it makes it clear that it is not the food or the drink he talks of that bring happiness, because that can be done without receiving happiness at all. So my felicity is not something that I can chase after, as though it could be caught (like chasing the wind [Ecc. 1.6], that so many people do). Solomon tried to find it and really found nothing but madness and grief; yes, even knowledge failed him, for nothing else can deliver what is God’s to gift. The best I can do is plead for happiness and joy when I ask for my daily bread in the name of Christ. In this we should will place my hope and hope will not disappoint.
One more thing, that even in the times of suffering and the times of pain there is the great hope of things promised by God.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5.4
Also there is a greater hope that God has gifted to all God’s children, the promise of the life to come. This promise should forever change the way His children view suffering and strife.
“But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.”
Hebrews 10:32-34
So I have created this blog to share my heart and findings and so that others might share in the felicity that God has granted to me. Other men have taught and helped me in coming as far as I have in this great happiness. So similarly to the authors of scripture, I write these things so that both readers and I might have our joy made complete.
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