Pastor’s Corner

Trivia:

Can you guess the largest peanut butter brand in the United States? Jiff, Justin's, Skippy, Peter Pan's? Make a guess more next week.

Challenge:

Ecclesiastes 12:11 "The words of the wise are like cattle prods-painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick which a shepherd drives the sheep."

Today we see Solomon's viewpoint of the place that wisdom has in the life of those who have not been provided with wisdom otherwise in their lives. He points out the need for wise directions, it needs to be sharp, pointed, and sometimes even plain, and direct.

In the Eastern thought of his day, a king was looked on as a shepherd. Homer said this in his writings "All kings are shepherds of the people"

Just as a goad prods, guides his cattle in the best direction, so also the words of the scripture give profitable directions to us as a people. This same inference is spoken of in 2 Chronicles 3:9; and Jeremiah 10:4. In the same way these words of instruction give stability, and perspective to our life. They keep us from living aimlessly through out our lives.

David gave this same counsel to Israel in Psalm 80:1 "Please listen, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph's descendants like a flock." Wisdom nails down truth to keep us from living without any tether to truth which brings clear direction to our lives.

This passage reminds me of the times when we would drive cattle to the coral to move them to greener pasture. They naturally were unhappy to be moved for they didn't know why. they had to move. though it was to provide them new pasture. But when once arriving, they were caught up with the joy of fresh grass, and new cool water sources. They would complain and boak with adamecy, but upon unloading them, their tune changed. Instead of complaining they quickly began grazing on the fresh fields and drinking from the fresh cool water of the spring.

SO GO WITH GOD my dear ones, for He through these changes in life has fresh experiences and refreshing times in store for you. Rest in Him for today and look to Him for the new joys to come. You will never regret walking in His ways for you.