Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 7-8
Scripture Focus:
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is
better than the proud in spirit. (Ecclesiastes 7.8)
Devotional
Thought: College football is upon us! Many teams are starting their conference
schedules this weekend, and there is a lot of trash talk going on. I think, though, that boasting is better
reserved for after the game than before.
Patience is better than pride.
Or, as it says in 1 Kings 20.11: "Let not him who straps on his
armor boast himself as he who takes it off."
How many of us have started a project with
grand plans and good intentions only to see our plans fizzle and our intentions
fade? "I'm going to lose 10 pounds!"
we say to our friends who politely nod their heads in agreement but think,
"Yea, right!" If they're kind,
they don't bring it up when we gain 5 instead!
"Today I'm going to get that garage cleaned out! It's as good as done!" That night, with the car still parked in the
driveway, we say vow to do it tomorrow.
That's why the wise man said, "Better is
the end of thing than its beginning."
Spiritually the same thing happens. We have good intentions, but our
follow-through is lacking. I know many,
many people who have had a good start with the Lord, and who have said to God,
to themselves, and to others that they are going to serve the Lord with all
their heart and soul. But, when life
happens, they fade away. Somehow, the
great beginning did not translate to a great ending. The problem is that too often the boasting is
done in the flesh. The flesh cannot win
spiritual victories for us. We must live
in the power of the Spirit. Then, the
end will be even better than the beginning!
Prayer: Thank you Lord, that "He who began a
good work in me will be faithful to complete it." Fill me, I pray, with your Spirit, and enable
me to finish strong as I lean into your grace. Amen.
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