It changes lives.
Ecclesiastes 1:14-“I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold all is vanity and striving after the wind.”
This might sound like an odd verse to begin devotion with. Isn’t the idea of devotions to make us feel better about ourselves? This verse tells us pretty much straight out that everything we do for ourselves is useless. Everything that we do for others is pointless, and everything that people do for us brings no value. There is nothing that we or anyone else on this earth can do which will bring meaning or a point to our lives. That can be a sobering, even depressing thought, but God like any good parent, must show us the futility of our efforts before we can fully accept and understand His grace. King Solomon who penned these words was the richest and wisest man of the times. With his wisdom he was allowed to discover some of the mysteries of God, and because we have access to God’s Word we can learn from his findings.
We often hear and read the stories of the great men and women of faith. These men and women did not fully understand the measure of God’s grace just as we sometimes cannot comprehend the futility of our efforts without God. Let’s say for instance that you are a Medical Doctor, or a research scientist, and you discover a cure for cancer. Your discovery is great, and many thousands of people will benefit from your good work; but unless you have the faith in God your efforts are in vain because people will still die and face judgment. However, let’s say that you make this great discovery, and instead of accepting all the glory for yourself you confess through faith that God gave you the wisdom to unravel this mystery. People will see, and some will understand, that they were not healed by mere human efforts; but that the hand of God took their disease from them. Therefore, because of your faith, they will give glory and honor to God.
Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and He is a rewarder of those who come to Him.”
Father, I thank You for changing my life through faith in You, and Your Son, and I ask that You would give me the courage to wear my faith in You “on my shoulder”; so that people might see that everything I accomplish is done because of my faith, and not through any efforts of my own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Yes, You Can Ministry 