This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. For about a week now we have been working our way through the following passage where King Solomon said,
“Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past” (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 NLT).
Today we will finally get to the last line and I will focus on the words, “God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Solomon paints a picture of a blessed man/woman for us. The King describes a person who enjoys life, who is determined to make the most of the short time they have on the earth, who has accepted their lot in life (God’s assignment), and who has received both the wealth and health from God to complete the assignment He has given them. Solomon says that this person, living under the Blessing of the Lord, is too busy enjoying life to brood over the past.
2. If you are brooding over the past you are failing to enjoy the present. When referring to a blessed man/woman, Solomon said, “God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.” But the opposite is also true. Some people spend so much time nursing and rehearing their past — past mistakes, missed opportunities, failed endeavors, etc. — that they miss the opportunities of the present. Don’t miss today’s blessings worrying about yesterday’s mistakes. Good or bad, up or down, success or failure, you can’t change the past. So live every day with a ‘forward ever, backward never’ mentality!
3. God wants you busy enjoying the moment. When referring to a blessed man/woman, Solomon said, “God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.” In this statement I see that 1) God wants you busy, 2) God wants you busy enjoying life, and 3) God wants you so busy enjoying the life you are living RIGHT NOW that you have no time to concern yourself with the past. Don’t worry about yesterday, because it’s over. Don’t worry about tomorrow, because you don’t know what it will bring. Focus on today and enjoy the moment. Make the most of your NOW!
4. Don’t forget that it’s by grace and not works (human effort). Solomon has painted a great picture for us; one with wealth, health, happiness and purpose. But remember, this series is about grace based success. I am not saying that you work your way to the Blessing. I am saying that you DIE your way to the Blessing. You surrender. You accept. You die to self. You embrace your divine assignment. And when you do, the grace of God will flow through your life for you to accomplish what God has called you to do. The New International Version of Romans 11:6 reads, “And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” The New Living Translation of the same verse reads, “And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is — free and undeserved.” God can give you free and undeserved favor to succeed in life. He does it by His grace, so that you can fulfill the assignment He gave you before the world began, and so that He can get the glory out of your life and living. All you have to do it say YES to His will, DIE to self, get OUT of the way, and allow God to use you as a conduit of His light and love in the world.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace. Solomon painted a great picture of divine success for me. I see myself the way He described. I see myself eating, drinking and enjoying the life You have given me during the short time I have here in the earth. I see myself walking in Your divine assignment, no longer fighting against what I am called to do. I see myself with the wealth and health to enjoy and accomplish Your divine purpose. I see myself dying to sin, self, and selfish desires, so that You can freely flow through me by Your grace. And I see myself too busy enjoying life, doing what I am called to do, enjoying the NOW of every moment, to concern myself with looking back. I don’t brood over my past, nor do I worry about my future. I enjoy every day and I die to self daily, so that You can freely operate through me. I decrease that You may increase in and through me. I pursue success in life by grace, not by works, and while it will not be effortless, it will surely be sweatless. I say YES to Your will, I DIE to self, I get OUT of the way, and I become the conduit of Your light and Your love in the earth. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
