“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.” Ecclesiastes 8:11-13
Because God is patient with those who disobey His Word, giving them time to repent, many assume God will not judge them, and they continue on in their evil ways. Yet, in the end, God will judge, and it will be well for those who repent of their wicked ways, looking to God for mercy, and then honor Him with their lives. However, it will not go well for the disobedient who refuse to repent and continue in their wicked ways.
Give me wisdom, O LORD, to see the end of my evil ways. Move me to fear and honor Your name by repenting and looking to You for mercy in the atoning sacrifice of Christ Jesus, Your Son, and my Savior. In His name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture quoted from the King James Version of the Bible]
“Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Psalm 1:5-6
On the last day, none of those who are impenitent and unbelieving will be able to stand in God’s judgment. Only those who are sorry for their sins and look in faith to Christ Jesus and His cross for pardon will be saved. God will separate those who are righteous through faith in Christ from those who are impenitent and unbelieving, condemning the ungodly and giving eternal life to the righteous.
Grant that I do not continue to rebel against You, O LORD, but hear Your Word, repent of my sins, and look in faith to Christ Jesus and His cross for pardon, forgiveness, and eternal life. Amen.
[Scripture quoted from the King James Version of the Bible]
“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.” Psalm 1:3-4
Those who turn from the ways of this world and continue in the teaching of God’s Word are like a tree planted near streams of water. They are continually watered, grow, and produce fruit, even in times of drought and difficulty. But those who do not repent and look to Christ for mercy and forgiveness are like the chaff that the wind drives away after the wheat is gathered into the garner.
Grant that I continue in Your Word, O LORD, repent of my sins and look to Christ Jesus and His cross for mercy and forgiveness that I might live my life for You and produce fruit acceptable in Your sight for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
[Scripture quoted from the King James Version of the Bible]
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2
While most people think the way to blessing and happiness is to conform to the views and ways of this world, true blessing lies in walking in the ways of the LORD and delighting in and meditating upon the teachings of God’s Word.
O LORD, grant that I not walk in the ways of this world but look to You and Your Word to lead me and guide me in the way of true blessing through faith in Jesus, my Savior. Amen.
[Scripture quoted from the King James Version of the Bible]
“Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.” Ecclesiastes 5:1
Rather than going to church thinking God will be pleased with us because of our worship and service, we ought to humble ourselves before God, acknowledge our unworthiness, and seek to hear and heed His Word so that we might see and repent of our sins and look to Him for mercy and forgiveness for the sake of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world. The Bible calls human efforts to please God evil, but God accepts the worship of those who hear His Word and repent.
O God, be merciful to me, a sinner! Give me the wisdom to humble myself before You and heed Your Word rather than exalting myself and seeking to be acceptable in Your sight by my worship and service. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
