Daily Devotional, Year 3 – December 15 (A 3-Finger Judgment-Day, Part 5: “Every Man…His Labor…This Is The Gift of God”)
By admin On February 17th, 2021.
.
Daily Devotional, Year 3 – December 15
.
.
.
.
A 3-Finger Judgment-Day,
.
Part 5:
“Every Man…His Labor…This Is The Gift of God”
To read Part 1, click here…January 20th (3 Fingered Judgment-Day)
.
.
.
.
.
“Every man also
to whom God hath given riches and wealth…
and to rejoice in his labour…
this is the gift of God.”
Ecclesiastes 5:19
.
.
.
.
.
THREE FINGERS POINTING BACK
.
God has designed nature to be functional.
.
But in His infinite wisdom, He has also designed nature to teach spiritual lessons.
.
And the human hand is no exception! Beside being a marvel of functionality, the human hand teaches us lessons.
.
.
.
.
.
THREE FINGERS POINTING BACK!
.
And even this unbelieving world sees the truth about finger-pointing.
.
And that lesson is, that when a person points the accusing finger at another, then there are three other fingers on his own hand, which point right back at him!
.
This is a common saying in the world…“When you point your finger at another, there are three fingers pointing back at you!”
.
Haven’t you heard this saying before?
.
Finger-pointing icon – Wikimedia – Share-alike-license
.
.
.
.
.
GOD THREATENS US ABOUT JUDGING!
.
God tells us plainly… “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.” Romans 2:1
.
With such an indictment as this above verse points out, how can we still point the accusing finger at others? Yes, whenever we point the accusing finger at somebody else, there are indeed, three fingers pointing right back at us!
.
And of course, the number “three” is the very number of the Godhead, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
.
Finger-pointing icon – Wikimedia – Share-alike-license
.
.
.
.
.
“FOR I AM HOLIER THAN THOU!”
Isaiah 65:5
.
The Pharisees were a self-righteous class which ruled over the common people, as recorded in the four Gospels.
.
And because of their proud, self-exaltation, they enjoyed putting down all those whom they deemed less worthy of Heaven than they…“Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou.” Isaiah 65:5
.
Thus, the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee is a very revealing contrast between those who are humble and those who are arrogant.
.
James Tissot – The Pharisee and Publican – Brooklyn Museum & Wikimedia – US Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
PHARISEEISM NOTHING MORE THAN FOOLISH PRIDE
.
And even though we no longer have that particular class of religious leaders, nevertheless, the spirit of Phariseeism is still alive and well, both in the Church, as well as in secular society.
.
Yes, Phariseeism is nothing more than foolish human pride.
.
It existed in Lucifer’s heart while still in Heaven, and has been transferred down to this earth, via him and his fellow rebel angels. Yes, even though we cannot see them, these dark forces of evil rule over this fallen world, bringing us into the same antichrist spirit as they.
.
James Tissot – The Pharisee and Publican – Brooklyn Museum & Wikimedia – US Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO NOT ONE!”
Romans 3:10
.
Now, the fact is, pride exists within the heart of each member of the human family.
.
And so, none of us can hold our head up high, nor imagine ourselves to be more righteous than anyone else.
.
We all stand guilty before God, our truly righteous Judge!
.
.
.
.
.
.
“A MAN…SHOULD…ENJOY…HIS LABOR…IT WAS (AND IS) FROM…GOD”
Ecclesiastes 2:24
.
And one great truth that must be learned and remembered is found in the following verse, which is today’s opening Bible passage…“Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 5:19
.
Here is a very revealing truth; a truth which the Pharisees did not know, or at least, did not understand: that a person’s wealth is the gift of God, and should not be taken for granted.
.
No, whatever a person’s riches happen to be, whether money, beauty, intelligence, position, honor, strength, wisdom, or even Salvation: ultimately these earthly riches are the gift of God. Thus should the possessors thereof be humble and grateful to God for any of these riches, whether physical riches, or spiritual riches!
.
Palmer – Carpenter – Wikipedia – Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
HANDICAPS ALSO FROM GOD!
.
But the Bible also informs us that poverty, whether literal or spiritual is likewise from God…“And the LORD said unto him (Moses), Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?” Exodus 4:11
.
Yes, those who are blind, whether literally or spiritually, have been ultimately made that way by God. And God is not ashamed to take credit for such sad circumstances.
.
After all, God could have prevented a person from going blind.
.
Likewise, He can easily restore someone’s eyesight if He chooses to do so.
.
.
.
.
.
.
“JUDGE NOT, THAT YE BE NOT JUDGED!”
Matthew 7:1
.
And take those, for example, who are destined to become beggars and street-people: all these have been ultimately placed in that position by God.
.
After all, God reveals several places in Ecclesiastes it is He that ultimately gives riches to a person. Oh yes, quite often it is Satan who is directly responsible for giving a man or woman their earthly health and wealth, or robbing them of their health and wealth.
.
But the Devil can do nothing without the Lord’s permission.
.
Drunk Panhandler-wikipedia-public-domain-
.
.
.
.
.
“DAY OF THE LORD…SHALL BE UPON (THE) PROUD AND LOFTY”
Isaiah 2:12
.
Well, perhaps the lesson to be learned here is that God has placed each man, woman, and child in their own particular life circumstances. His knowledge and wisdom is infinite, and
.
And so, none of us should hold our heads up high, nor pat ourselves on the back because of whatever riches we may possess. It is the gift of God.
.
And quite often, those gifts can become a real curse in our lives.
.
And the Pharisees only proved that point by their pompous and arrogant attitude towards others.
.
Tissot – the Pharisees and the Herodians conspire against Jesus – www.joyfulheart.com
.
.
.
.
.
“And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He (God) doeth according to His will…among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?”
Daniel 4:35
.
Compared to God’s infinite knowledge and wisdom, we are like little ants in our miniscule understanding. And yet, in His great love, our Heavenly Father has put each of us in our very own circumstances for various reasons:
1. To discover for our own self, that “my selfish ways do not bring me true happiness or peace, but rather bring sorrow, disappointment, and ultimately, sickness and death”.
2. In hopes that I might grow tired and weary of my selfish ways, and at last, begin to seek out to find Him, and return to Him forever.
Weeping Woman – Van Gogh – Wikimedia – US Public Domain
Vincent van Gogh – Old Man in Sorrow (On the Threshold of Eternity) – Wikipedia – US Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
“Judge not, that ye be not judged.“
Matthew 7:1
.
And now that we have finally reached that great and fearful day of God’s Judgment, it is quite possible that those of us who thought that we were better than others just might find ourselves caught in a dramatic role-reversal!
.
Yes, the day has arrived in which those of us who looked down our noses at others might just wake up to discover that “I” am now the one begging on the street-corner or “I” am now the drunkard lying in the gutter, etc….
.
Drunk Panhandler-wikipedia-public-domain-
Highbrow drunkard – Wikimedia – Share-Alike License
.
.
.
.
.
.
“GOOD NEWS FROM A FAR COUNTRY”
Proverbs 25:25
.
Well, the Good News is, that today is still the day of Salvation!
.
And so, let each of us fall down (spiritually, not literally) before God, and plead for deliverance from all foolish human pride, that we might instead reflect the meekness and humility of lowly Jesus who promises us…“Come…and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (read Matthew 11:28-30)
.
Yes, pride and arrogance ultimately will bring unhappiness to our hearts, which is a heavy burden to bear.
.
But with Christ’s meek and lowly Spirit abiding in our hearts, we can find true peace and rest unto our souls!
.
Girl Praying – Wikimedia – Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
TO READ PART 6, CLICK HERE…
December 22 (A 3-Fingered Judgment-Day, Part 6: “I Was…Naked, and Ye Clothed Me:”
Finger-pointing icon – Wikimedia – Share-alike-license
.
.
.
.
.
.
TODAY’S PRAYER…
“Dear Lord, Help me to crucify that “Old Man” within. Remove far from me all vanity and pride. Give me the desire and power to hide your great and precious promises in my heart…
Woman Praying – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license
.
.
.
.
.
READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 2nd Face: The Pharisee Scorner”, or you can also read… “Fleeing to the Mountains, Part 3: The Abomination in My Heart”
Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license
.
.
.
.
.
THE END
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN
.
.
“THE SCORNER (THE PHARISEE)”
.
Please tilt your head to the left. Do you see a man with a very long pointed nose. (Obviously, the sketch to the right is just an exaggeration in order to help you find the face in the photo to the left.)
.
Do you see an angry look? His right eye-brow is raised as if he is judging.
.
This second face in the Moon appears to be that of a combination of a man as well as a fox. Or maybe a wolf. Doesn’t he have a long narrow nose like a wolf or fox? Maybe even a dog. Nevertheless, the expression on his face, as he appears to look down upon the Earth, is that of scorn.
.
Unlike the first Moon-man’s sad look of shock and awe (click here to see and read about); this ‘man/fox/wolf/dog’ appears to be that of anger and scorn. As if he is disgusted at the sinful planet below. He is very moral, you see.
.
.
.
.
.
.
THIS BEAST WITHIN
Well, the Bible has much to say about Pharisees. And the Bible has much to say about wolves, and foxes, and dogs. And this wolf-face inscribed in the Moon has much to tell us about ourselves. So if you are a truth-seeker, then this article will be an eye-opener, as we explore just what the Bible has to say about these things. And the fact is, this Pharisee Moon-Beast is in the heart of each and every human. And so, if you (or me) find that this wolf-man has some things in common, please don’t despair. For God is giving us these signs, while there still is time. While there still is hope.
.
.
.
.
.
THE PHARISEES…
.
“Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.” Prov. 21:24
.
Yes this wolf-like beast-face in the Moon, is what the Bible calls a proud Pharisee. They were the morality crowd. They were the finger pointers. They were the scorners. They didn’t realize that their own pride was even more reprehensible to God than the drunkenness, immorality, or sexual perversions of the unsaved of the world.
.
.
.
.
READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 2nd Face: The Pharisee Scorner”
.
.
.
.
.
.
TOMORROW:
December 16 (Eternal Torment? Part 31: “Embracing The Babylonian Version of Hell”)
Brooklyn Museum – The Rich Man In Hell – James Tissot – Wikipedia – US Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY
.
ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
.
THIS IS STUDY #347 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…
.
.
Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain
.
Click on image credit links below each photo, for licensing names, details, and tags, etc.. Most Images cropped & reduced in size.