Isaiah 53:5 is one of the key scriptures of our faith: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

On my recent trip to Israel, our group visited the dungeons where Christ was probably held and beaten before His crucifixion, and the olive garden where He sweat drops of blood. He was a real man and fully felt every excruciating pain inflicted upon Him. Such suffering … and yet we now rejoice that He suffered to purchase our redemption. We have peace with the Father. We have healing for our sins and our bodies.

To such a Savior, how can we give less than EVERYTHING WE HAVE.

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for taking so lightly what Christ has done to save us from our sin. By Your grace, we want to give You all we have.

The Song of Songs reveals poetic dialogue between two lovers. Earthly marriage is a picture of God’s relationship with the Church, His Bride, and Christ Jesus is the Bridegroom.

God’s love for us is so much more than an unfeeling gesture of noble sacrifice … He passionately cares for us and is willing to move heaven and earth to demonstrate this love.

Christ so loved us while we were yet in our (ugly state of) sin. He always sees what we can be.

READ: Song of Songs 4-7

The last two chapters of Ecclesiastes address old age. Because I personally have the greater part of my life behind me, such passages get my attention.

Yesterday while listening to a gospel music channel on Directv, I heard Karen Peck sing “Finish Well,” a song challenging all Christians to maintain fervent faith and diligent service to please the Lord while aging. It really impacted me.

“Finish well, every day that we are given, finish well for the glory of His name
Finish strong until the Savior finally calls us home.
Give it everything we have, finish well.”

READ: Ecc. 11,12; Song of Songs, 1-3

Solomon seems to have amassed many practical observations whereby he recorded a catalog of advice for his constituents … much of it “vanity” or “meaningless,” but all of it “under the sun.”

Earthbound … here on the earth … the natural life … a focus on the consequences of decisions and goals that are rooted in this life only. No wonder he calls it all “vanity.”

Paul said, “If you are risen with Christ … you are born again into a heavenly destination … set your affection on things above … above the sun. We don’t yet see heaven, but through living according to God’s Word, everything can have an eternal consequence. We are set free from having hope only in what we see under the sun. We use this life as a platform to launch into the next, where Christ Jesus is our all in all.

READ: Ecc. 6-10

Solomon had it all. Recorded in Ecclesiastes, he shares with us conclusions resulting from his experiences (empirical knowledge).

One of his hard-earned conclusions is that the personal satisfaction you gain from doing a job well is of great value. He looked for the reward in the process.

He was his own boss. His autonomy enhanced his ability to take his “good ol’ time.” Nevertheless, we are wise to enjoy the trip as well as the destination.

READ: Ecclesiastes 1-5

Another recurring theme in the Proverbs is the principle of correction. Parents and leaders are encouraged to use it to groom young people into fruitful adults. Also obvious is that different methods are required according to the temperament of the recipient ie. “A look enters more into a wise man than stripes on the back of a fool.”

It’s nearly impossible to be correct without correction. Everyone needs it.

READ: Pr. 29-31

Surely the prayer of someone who refuses to listen to God’s teachings is disgusting.  [Pr. 28:9]

We can increase the impact of our prayers by paying attention to God’s Word and being obedient to it.

Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, and My Words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it shall be done unto you.”  {Jn. 15:7]

READ: Pr. 26-28

By long forbearing (calm patience) a ruler (prince) can be persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone (gets through to the hard-headed). [Pr. 25:15]

Lessons in life are abundant in the Proverbs. The above passage encourages the element of patience when dealing with young rulers in training. Teachers are wise to keep this verse in mind when being tried by the antics of strong-willed teenagers.

READ:  Pr. 23-25

A recurring theme in the Proverbs is the blessing of giving to those who are in need. God looks out for the poor, and He notices those of us who do so also. In fact, God says if you give to the poor, you are actually lending to Him. He is their provider and He will repay you for assisting Him in their provision.

It’s an indescribably good feeling that you receive inside when you are generous or do a good deed. We should do it more often.

READ: Pr. 21,22

Prudence: Careful or wise in handling practical matters; frugal; sensible.

A prudent wife is one of God’s greatest gifts to a man and a family. She is wired to make sure her family has what it needs to live. She almost always puts the needs of the ones she loves ahead of her own interests.

When a man finds her, she is like a gem in the middle of his path. He quickly realizes that he can’t live without her. It then becomes his job to take very good care of her.

READ: Pr. 19,20