For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Heb. 6
The book of Ecclesiastes gives us a picture of a fallen world. There is evil in men’s hearts, uncertainty in everything, and abounding injustice. In Hebrews we see that God is different. His nature is unchanging and His promises are certain. In Him, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Heb. 6:19a). Even so, we still have this fallen world to deal with before we inherit God’s sure promise. For that, we must be both diligent and patient in our faith.
Ecc. 11-12
For the author, what was “the conclusion of the matter?” We don’t know what will happen in this life; what will fail or succeed. Nor do we know what will come after us. But God’s judgment is certain. So don’t waste your life seeking answers to a riddle that can’t be solved. Instead, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Ecc. 12:13b).
Ps. 101
David wants to lead a “blameless life” (v. 2). What are some of the characteristics of that life? Which one speaks to you and why? Job was a blameless and upright man. The first verse in the book of Job defines what this means. “He feared God and shunned evil.” (Job 1:1b). We see David doing the same in this Psalm. That which is vile, faithless, perverse, evil, slanderous, proud, deceitful, false, and wicked he will not even look on with approval, let alone participate in. He does not even want any of it in his presence. Instead, he will seek out the faithful; those whose walk is also blameless.
I don’t believe this Psalm is suggesting that we isolate ourselves as believers. Jesus came to seek the lost and has passed that mission on to us, after all. Rather, I think this Psalm speaks to what we embrace and make a part of our lives. It’s about fellowship – that intimate togetherness that we share when we walk a common path. We must be careful to seek the good path, joining with those who follow it, while avoiding with a dedicated passion anything that leads away from it.