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Fruitful Day 7 Produce Or Consume?: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Produce Or Consume?!

The Questions

1) What do we learn in verses 8-9 about God’s relationship to time compared to our own experience?

2) What connection is made in verses 10-12 regarding how we should be living as we wait for the day of the Lord?

3) What does Peter mean when he writes in verse 13 about the “new heavens and a new earth”?

2 Peter 3:8-13

8 Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. 11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness 12 as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming. Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat. 13 But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Original Intent

1) What do we learn in verses 8-9 about God’s relationship to time compared to our own experience?
There is no underestimating the importance of context when studying Scripture. This is certainly true with this passage. When Peter compares a thousand years to one day, we must dig a little deeper to understand his purpose. The context of verses 8-9 is the return of the Lord to gather His Church, those who have placed their full trust in Him. Peter reminds the believers that scorners will come and mock the idea of the Lord’s coming return. (verse 4) Reading Peter’s letter gives us insight into what the Christians were facing as they waited for Jesus. The apostle Paul had also written letters to warn believers of those who would attempt to lead them away from trusting in Christ’s return. (verses 15-16) Peter cautions them to not be swayed by doubters and cynics. He reminds them that God’s timetable is not the same as our human timeline. Peter encouraged them to hold to faith and trust in God’s promises. Since we live in a physical world, we must be reminded that God works in another dimension beyond the perception of our physical senses. He is from the beginning and operates outside time. (Psalm 102:24-27) This in no way means God is not real, but it does mean He is unseen by human eyes because He is not limited by the physical realm as we are. (John 1:1-4) Because He is eternal, He sees eternity past and eternity future in a single view. From this timeless perspective, the time that passes on earth doesn’t limit Him as it does us. To God, writes Michael Houdmann, “A second is no different from an eon; a billion years pass like seconds to the eternal God.” (Questions about God page 20) Thankfully, in God’s patient and perfect “delay”, He is accomplishing His purpose of rescuing the perishing.

2) What connection is made in verses 10-12 regarding how we should be living as we wait for the day of the Lord?
God desires to live in close fellowship with His people. (Genesis 3:8, Exodus 29:45-46, Leviticus 26:11-13, Revelation 21:3) To understand the connection between His desire to be with us and our waiting for Him, we keep in mind the character of God. While there are passages of Scripture that are difficult to reconcile with Peter’s message that God wants “all to come to repentance” (verse 9), we must not fall prey to thinking God desires something other than salvation for all people. Since there is no easy way to tie everything together neatly that is taught in Scripture about God’s sovereignty, we simply must acknowledge the mystery. Therein lies the beauty of this passage. When humans contemplate patience, we think in human terms. Often in our waiting we begin to feel anxious and reactionary. Peter says God’s seeming delay is not “as some understand delay.” God-like patience helps us – beyond our own understanding – to have a sincere trust in God’s timing. (2 Peter 3:1-2) When God waits on something, it is rarely about how much time has passed or will pass. It is about His glory and our good. (2 Peter 3:15) This reality frustrated the prophet Jonah who knew God’s reputation for patience with sinful people. (Jonah 4:2) The mission of Christ’s followers is not to calculate the waiting time, nor is it to doubt or attempt to thwart God’s purposes. Our aim is to consistently live holy lives as we obediently follow Him (verse 11) with great expectation of the Lord’s coming. The specific Greek word (speudontas) in verse 12 for “hasten” occurs only once in Scripture. It indicates an urgency or earnest desire. (Strongs 4692) Based on Peter’s message, we understand that urgent does not constitute impatience.

3) What does Peter mean when he writes in verse 13 about the “new heavens and a new earth”?
If there was a theme for these verses, it would be, “The Promise of God: It’s Worth Waiting For.” Before John declared his vision regarding a “new heaven and a new earth” in Revelation 21:1, the apostle Peter reiterated Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 65-66) about the day our current heavens and earth will no longer exist as we know it.  In verse 13, Peter explains that after the destruction of our environment, a new place will be created in which “righteousness dwells.” From the context of the passage, we understand that our coming perfected holiness and godliness achieved through Christ will fit in perfectly in that newly created place of perfection. Our current waiting is painful because our righteousness as people of Christ looks and feels so different from those who live ungodly lives. (2 Peter 2:9-10) We long for the day we will live in uninterrupted harmony with all who love and worship Christ. “The history of this world has been almost entirely a history of sin – of its nature, developments, results. There have been no perfectly holy beings on the earth, except the Savior, and the angels who have occasionally visited. There has been no perfectly holy place – city, village, hamlet; no perfectly holy community. But the future world, in strong contrast with this, will be perfectly pure, and will be a fair illustration of what religion in its perfect form will do.” (Barnes)

Everyday Application

1) What do we learn in verses 8-9 about God’s relationship to time compared to our own experience?
You have likely heard the saying “only time will tell.” As I have grown older, this has become more obvious. Some of us (namely, me) are quick to respond to certain situations. Assuming too much, there have been times I’ve had to swallow my pride and admit that my initial reaction was unwarranted. These lessons taught me to wisely pause and zoom out of situations. Since humans operate on timetables, it’s often best to take a “wait and see” approach to many things we encounter. But God is not like us. He is timeless. He patiently waits because He knows His purposes are as good as done even when we have not seen them unfold yet. For humans, clocks mark change. Whenever there’s change of any kind we understand it indicates that time has passed. For God, there is no change and there is no passing time. Knowing God is eternal brings a profound sense of comfort to us mere mortals. Yet, though separated from time, God is not removed from our existence in this frail condition. Though He transcends time, He is with us now. He created a world that marks days and weeks and years to demonstrate to us that He does not ignore our daily cries or concerns. (Genesis 1:14-15) “Day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here. Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure gives unto each day what He deems best. Lovingly, it’s part of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest.” (Day by Day by Karolina Sandell-Berg)

2) What connection is made in verses 10-12 regarding how we should be living as we wait for the day of the Lord?
Waiting patiently is not my favorite thing. I am an instant gratification kind of gal. But waiting for something that is almost certain to be wonderful is in a different category. In fact, waiting for Christmas has always been much more fun than having it come and go. The beauty of waiting for the Lord to return and make everything new is that we can enjoy hope now and then! Though there’s a tension we must hold, believers should watch for Christ to come today, while planning as though He may not come for a thousand years. As Christ followers, we play a mysterious role in His coming. Jesus said in Matthew 24:14 that the gospel would be preached throughout the whole world before Jesus returns. While I do not understand all this means, it should spur the Christian toward fervency and urgency in taking the gospel to the world, meaning every people group. We should have patience while we wait on our future glory, because we know God is bringing more people into His kingdom all the time. Our endurance is not in vain! (Revelation 7:9-10)

3) What does Peter mean when he writes in verse 13 about the “new heavens and a new earth”?
I am so thankful Peter took the time to write to the dismayed believers in the early church. He effectively dismantled the arguments of the false teachers striving to confuse and frighten them. It’s a wonderful truth for those of us who wait even now. 2020 was a difficult year for many. It was one of those years that seemed to go on forever. But, dear Sister, we know God is never delayed! There WILL be a day when we live in a new heaven and earth. For now, the followers of Christ should live as if we believe this completely! We can rest assured that our timeless God will not forget His promise!
“I know the journey seems so long.
You feel you’re walking on your own.
But there has never been a step where you’ve walked out all alone.
Troubled soul don’t lose your heart, ’cause joy and peace He brings.’
And the beauty that’s in store outweighs the hurt of life’s sting.
But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
that there will be a place with no more suffering.
There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain and no more fears.
There will be a day when the burdens of this place will be no more.
But until that day, we’ll hold on to Him always.” (There Will Be A Day by Jeremy Camp)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Produce Or Consume?!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Fruitful Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

If Day 15 End Of Evil

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 8:22-23
Genesis 3:15-19
Ephesians 2:4-5
Romans 6:17-18
Revelation 21:3-4

If, Day 15

It’s been a hard eighteen months, hasn’t it? A pandemic (and accompanying struggles), social unrest, tragic loss of life, a divisive election cycle, personal attacks and online debates, and the list continues. Right about now, I think we can all relate to Paul’s words in Romans 8:22-23,

“For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in labor pains until now. Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits– we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.”

Something within each of us longs for peace and a perfect world. We long for justice, righteousness, and love to prevail. Whatever our background, personal theology, faith, or lack thereof, this desire reveals the truth of the Bible when it cries that the broken world in which we live – fraught with so much sin and heartache – isn’t the way it was supposed to be. And – praise the Lord! – one day it won’t be like this any longer.

The first two chapters of the Bible are so beautiful. They present a perfect world just as God designed it to operate; a world without sin, heartache, trial, loss, suffering, or sadness of any kind. But by the third chapter, perfection is lost when sin enters the story, and all manner of brokenness quickly ensues. In fact, read one chapter beyond that, and murder takes place!

In Genesis 3:16-19, God lays out the initial consequences faced by men and women as a result of their sin (toil, increased pain in childbirth, etc.). But humankind’s spiritual condition as a result of the fall is far more grave. From the moment of the first sin, throughout all of history, humanity as a whole are “dead in our trespasses” (Ephesians 2:5) and “slaves of sin” (Romans 6:17). We are leading lives we were never meant to live, suffocating in a brokenness for which we were not designed, and so we groan.

In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis illustrated this truth well when he asserted, “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”

We were made for another world, and another world is precisely what is offered to us! All human efforts throughout history to construct utopian societies, to return to the Garden, to reach perfection, tranquility, or peace on our own, have failed.
Imperfect humans simply cannot create perfection.

But God, in His grace and mercy, constructed a plan that has never, and will never, fail. His plan was one He promised way back in the Garden of Eden, when sin first entered the world! Revealing His great love for His people, even in the midst of their sin, He says in Genesis 3:15, “I will put hostility between you [Satan] and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. [Jesus] will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”

The entire rest of the Bible unfolds God’s grand plan to restore the world to what He originally intended, an obliteration of sin and a restoration to righteousness in Christ, a destruction of heartache and pain and a return to peace in the Lord.

This plan looked like God sending His Son, Jesus, to be the sacrifice for our sins so we might take on His righteousness as our own and be granted eternal life in Him forever. What glorious news!

Romans 6:17-18 says, “But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching to which you were handed over, and having been set free from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness.” This is the promised change we undergo when we “confess with [our] mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in [our] heart[s] that God raised him from the dead.” (Romans 10:9)

Just as the first two chapters of the Bible are beautiful in their perfection and peace, the final two chapters of the Bible are just as beautiful (if not more so!) as we see the promised perfection and peace we anticipate! May you embrace these words from Revelation 21:3-4, and may they bring you hope and peace!

“Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.”

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Nations Day 12 The Daily Pressing: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out The Daily Pressing!

The Questions

1) Why did Mark mention Passover in this passage? (verse 1)

2) What is the significance of Jesus visiting the house of Simon the Leper? (verse 3)

3) Why did the woman pour her expensive perfume on Jesus’ head? (verse 3)

4) Why did Jesus say, “the poor you will always have with you”? (verse 7)

Mark 14:1-11

1It was two days before the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a cunning way to arrest Jesus and kill him. 2“Not during the festival,” they said, “so that there won’t be a riot among the people.”

While he was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper as he was reclining at the table a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured it on his head. 4 But some were expressing indignation to one another: “Why has this perfume been wasted? 5 For this perfume might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they began to scold her.

6 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a noble thing for me. 7 You always have the poor with you, and you can do what is good for them whenever you want, but you do not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body in advance for burial. 9 Truly I tell you wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 And when they heard this, they were glad and promised to give him money. So he started looking for a good opportunity to betray him.

Original Intent

1) Why did Mark mention Passover in this passage? (verse 1)
Jesus stopped by Bethany (about two miles outside of Jerusalem) on His way to celebrate Passover. Passover is the annual celebration of God’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Passover refers to when the Angel of Death “passed over” the homes of Israelites (and Egyptians) who put the blood of the Passover lamb on their doorposts according to God’s instructions to Moses. Egyptians (and Israelites) who did not obey God’s instructions experienced the death of their firstborn. Even as God gave the instructions for the Passover in Exodus 12, He commanded His people to commemorate their deliverance every year. “This day is to be a memorial for you, and you must celebrate it as a festival to the Lord. You are to celebrate it throughout your generations as a permanent statute.” (Exodus 12:14)

2) What is the significance of Jesus visiting the house of Simon the Leper? (verse 3)
Simon lived in Bethany, a suburb of Jerusalem and the hometown of his friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. The Gospel writer’s decision to include the description of Simon as “The Leper” is significant. Today, leprosy refers to a specific disease called Hanson’s disease affecting both skin and nerves, but during biblical times, leprosy was a generic name for any skin disease. When God gave the Law to Moses after the Israelites left Egypt, there were specific instructions for interacting with people with skin diseases like leprosy. Leviticus 13 explains how the priest examined people with skin diseases and isolated them for seven days. If the disease did not go away, they were excluded from the community to protect the people. “The person who has a case of serious skin disease is to have his clothes torn and his hair hanging loose, and he must cover his mouth and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’ He will remain unclean as long as he has the disease; he is unclean. He must live alone in a place outside the camp.” (Leviticus 13:45-46) Lepers were isolated from family and friends by their disease and were considered unclean. Coming in contact with a leprous person resulted in them also being declared “unclean”. Since Simon was healed, he was no longer unclean, and he could safely host people.

3) Why did the woman pour her expensive perfume on Jesus’ head? (verse 3)
John 12:1-8 explains this was Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Mary had a heart that desired to worship Jesus. Her gift was an extravagant display of devotion to Jesus. Pure nard in alabaster was exceptionally valuable. Nard comes from the Himalayan mountains in India, Nepal, and China; transporting it to Bethany would require a long, arduous journey from Asia to the Middle East. This gift was worth three hundred denarii, which was about a year’s income (minus the days not worked for the Sabbath and holidays) since a denarius was the equivalent of a day’s wages. Some commentaries explained that this alabaster jar of pure nard was probably Mary’s dowry. When a woman got married, her dowry was her security in case she was divorced. Mary desired to give her best. Jesus explained to the disciples that Mary’s gift was a noble thing. The Greek word translated as “noble” is defined as “good that inspires others.” Even to this day, we celebrate Mary’s precious gift. Jesus prophesied that “she has kept it for the day of My burial.” (John 12:7) People used burial spices and perfumes to mask the smell of a decaying body. Jesus knew that going to Jerusalem was His death sentence. He would soon be attacked like the obedient servant in Isaiah 50:6, and He would be led like a lamb to the slaughter as prophesied in Isaiah 53:7.

4) Why did Jesus say, “the poor you will always have with you”? (verse 7)
When Rabbis and teachers of the Law taught concepts, they often quoted parts of Scriptures because they knew their students would fill in the rest of the passage. When Jesus said, “the poor you will always have with you,” He was quoting Deuteronomy 15:11, “For there will never cease to be poor people in the land; that is why I am commanding you, ‘Open your hand willingly to your poor and needy brother in your land.’” He was urging His followers to give generously to the poor even as He was warning them of His upcoming death. At various times, Jesus specifically told His disciples He would suffer and die. “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death. Then they will hand Him over to the Gentiles, and they will mock Him, spit on Him, flog Him, and kill Him, and He will rise after three days.” (Mark 10:33-34)

Everyday Application

1) Why did Mark mention Passover in this passage? (verse 1)
Passover was a celebration of deliverance. Many Jewish people were eagerly praying for a Messiah to deliver them from Roman occupation. Here’s how David Guzik explains this, “The time is significant, because there was at Passover not only a great expectation of the Messiah, but Jerusalem was also crowded with these Messiah-expecting multitudes. Since Passover remembered a time when God raised up a great deliverer and freed Israel from foreign oppression, it was a time of great patriotic and Messianic anticipation. The Romans were on guard and ready for any hint of revolt.” The people in Jerusalem were eagerly looking for a military savior, but Jesus had come as a Lamb whose blood was to be shed for the forgiveness of sins. 1 Corinthians 5:7 calls Jesus “our Passover lamb.” John 1:29 proclaims that “Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Just as the blood of the Passover lamb protected the people from death, Jesus’ blood frees us from the penalty we deserve because of our sins. (Revelation 1:5)

2) What is the significance of Jesus visiting the house of Simon the Leper? (verse 3)
Fear of contamination did not keep Jesus from reaching out to people who were considered unclean. There are multiple mentions in the Bible of Jesus healing people with leprosy. Mark 1:40-45 tells how Jesus healed a man with leprosy in Galilee. When Jesus touched him, “immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.” Luke 17:11-17 also tells the story of Jesus healing ten lepers. In both Mark’s and Luke’s accounts, Jesus told the healed men to present themselves to the priest according to the requirements in Leviticus. After the priest examined the men, he would declare them clean and fit to assemble with the rest of the community. Jesus is our healer. Sickness and suffering (both mental and physical) can isolate us from community. We may feel unclean or unworthy of God’s love and grace, yet Jesus wants to heal us so our lives will be a testimony to His grace and healing power, just like Simon. Though Simon was still called “the Leper,” his life had been radically transformed by Jesus’ healing power. His sickness no longer isolated him, and he was able to host Jesus and all the disciples at his house. Like a leper, we can cry out to Jesus, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” (Matthew 8:2) He uses healing to declare His victory in our lives, setting us free so we can bless others!

3) Why did the woman pour her expensive perfume on Jesus’ head? (verse 3)
Mary likely gave her most precious possession when she anointed Jesus’ head. Her act of devotion inspires us to give wholeheartedly. Are we giving our best to Jesus and His kingdom, or are we like Judas, who seemed to care about the poor, but only truly cared about himself? When John wrote about Mary anointing Jesus, he explained that Judas’ indignation wasn’t about caring for the poor but about helping himself. Judas “was a thief. He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it.” (John 12:6) Mark writes that some disciples expressed indignation and asked, “Why has this perfume been wasted?” (Mark 14:4) The Greek word translated “wasted” in this passage can also mean “destroyed” and is often used to describe God’s judgment in end-times. “Judas criticized Mary for ‘wasting money,’ but he wasted his entire life!” (Wiersbe) Mary’s extravagant gift and Judas’ petty response challenges all of us. Is our indignation about injustice a cover-up of jealousy and greed because we want more? Are we secretly envious of other people’s ability to give? Do we give only to receive recognition? Do we desire to give generously and not waste what we have been given? The greatest gift we have is our salvation; are we sharing it with others, or are we wasting the opportunities we are given to proclaim it and, in the process, devaluing Christ’s sacrifice? Mary gave the equivalent of an annual salary; would you think someone was a fanatic if they gave that amount to the church or help the poor? Would you wonder if they were wasting their resources? I have realized that if I am starting to answer these questions like Judas, I have lost sight of the value of Jesus and the privilege of giving all I have.

4) Why did Jesus say, “the poor you will always have with you”? (verse 7)
When I first read this quote from Jesus, I felt it was very calloused. It seemed to me like Jesus was telling His disciples not to care about the poor. I didn’t realize it was a direct quote from Deuteronomy that Jesus was using to challenge His followers, and particularly Judas who “claimed” to care for the poor. Jesus was prodding each of them to follow Mary’s example of selfless generosity and “to open your hand willingly to the poor and needy brother in the land.” In Mark 10:21, Jesus challenged a rich young man to “give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven.” Jesus commended Mary because “she has done what she could.” (Mark 14:8) Each of us can learn from Mary’s sacrifice. She blessed Jesus by giving generously and sacrificially. God gives us gifts and resources so we can bless others in the same way. Martyr Jim Elliot wisely said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose.” Like Mary, when we lavishly give all we have to Jesus, He will cultivate generosity in us towards others just as He gave Himself fully for us.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Daily Pressing!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Nations Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Nations Day 1 Out Of Darkness

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 2:1-7
1 Peter 2:4-10
Luke 9:23-26

Nations, Day 1

When I consider the transformation we, the people of my village, have undergone, I find reason to thank God again and again. We, who once walked in the futility of our minds, having our understanding darkened, ignorant and separated from God, have received the mercy of God. Indeed, we’ve seen God’s great love toward us. He called us out of darkness into His marvellous light. Once we were not a people, but He has made us a people in Christ; a people belonging to Him. Hallelujah! (paraphrase, Ephesians 4:17-18)

Surely, God’s love is not selective, conditional, or judgemental; if it was, who would have chosen and called us to follow Christ? Like His own disciples, we have been called irrespective of our backgrounds; like His own disciples, when confronted with His love, we are also confronted with the depths of our own sinful disqualification. When Peter experienced Christ’s overwhelming love, he exclaimed, “Go away from me, because I am a sinful man, Lord!” (Luke 5:8) Yet His call, and His love, remain undaunted.

By the grace of God, the gospel of salvation has penetrated all over our village, and many people are following Jesus Christ. A typical Sunday morning sees villagers of all ages rushing to various worship centres.

Women are at the forefront of God’s move in my community, following in the footsteps of Mary of Magdalene and other heroines of faith in Scripture. Their incredible zeal for the Gospel prompts some to even offer their “widow’s mite,” trusting tomorrow’s provision to God alone.

But there are some cultural issues frustrating the Christian journey among our people, and women are significantly affected. As with most Africans, witchcraft is a monster ravaging our people; every misfortune is attributed to it. Almost every death of a person below 70 years is attributed to witchcraft; likewise, any lingering or chronic illness. Most devastatingly, women and children are most often accused of being witches or secret cult members.

Additionally, many women experience tough times in their marriage as the culture demands a wife owe her in-laws respect and care. Some family members go beyond their boundaries and become a “thorn in the flesh” of the woman. In most cases, the husband is handicapped to protect his wife. Even more challenging to marriages is the issue of childlessness, because marriage without children, to our people, is like an orange tree without fruit.

Poverty also places a significant burden on women, as they are the primary contributors to household income, often through menial work. Drug use adds to the poverty level, as women lose spouses, followed by homes and belongings.

However, amidst those challenges, some women are forging ahead in following Christ. These courageous sisters do not allow hardship to determine their spiritual standing; they are making a lifetime of sacrifices for the sake of Jesus. They daily live out the words of Jesus: “If anyone wants to follow after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

Surely, following Jesus Christ requires self-denial, and we must not allow hardship or any inconvenience to deter us. We must be willing to sacrifice everything standing between us and Him. It is well-understood that challenges create room for our faith to grow, because the more challenges we face, the more we seek refuge in Christ. As the Scripture says, “Consider it great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” (James 1:2-3)

Unfortunately, when tough times come, some turn their backs on Him, like the seed that fell on stony places. On Sundays, they rush to church for worship, but in ignorance, turn to others beside Jesus in their suffering. To worsen their situation, they usually fall into the hands of fake pastors, who exploit the women’s pain for monetary gain.

As someone who is passionate for the gospel, my heart bleeds when I hear the perils my fellow countrywomen pass through. The biggest need I see is for a deep knowledge of God’s Word, which will only happen through sound teaching. My appeal to the global Church is to join me in prayer for God to open doors to enable us organise more teachings, and to add labourers for the work. Pray also that God will create in their hearts a strong desire for His Word, and also bless the work of their hands.

I am thankful to God for the Church in the nations, joined and knitted together in Christ despite physical distance; therefore, we share in the pain and joy of one another. How marvellous and glorious it will be when we see eachother face-to-face at the throne of Jesus!

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Enough Day 7 Fallen Kings: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Fallen Kings!

The Questions

1) Why did Israel not have a king up to this point?

2) What had Samuel said that Israel refused to listen to?

3) Why did Israel want a king so desperately and why did God choose to give them a king?

1 Samuel 8:19-22

19 The people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. 20 Then we’ll be like all the other nations: our king will judge us, go out before us, and fight our battles.”

21 Samuel listened to all the people’s words and then repeated them to the Lord. 22 “Listen to them,” the Lord told Samuel. “Appoint a king for them.”
Then Samuel told the men of Israel, “Each of you, go back to your city.”

Original Intent

1) Why did Israel not have a king up to this point?
God instituted a covenant between Himself and Abraham long before these verses were written. This covenant was a promise to bring nations forth from Abraham and his offspring, and it was also a covenant to be their God. (Genesis 17:5-7) In Exodus 6:7, God told Moses the Israelites would be His people and He would be their God. The Israelites didn’t need an earthly king because they had God as their ruler. You’re likely familiar with the term, “democracy” as a rule by the people. Israel had a “theocracy” as a rule governed by God. Up until this point in Israel’s history God would send judges as needed to correct the Israelites when they rebelled repeatedly, but they had no need for a king. God was King. Israel was called by God to be a nation set apart from other nations (Leviticus 20:26) and the lack of a physical, human king was one aspect which separated them from other nations. God had not seen fit to provide a king because Israel did not need one.

2) What had Samuel said that Israel refused to listen to?
These verses follow a dialogue between Samuel and the elders of Israel. They had asked for a king and Samuel had warned them of the reasons they should not desire a king. 1 Samuel 8:9-18 reminds the Israelites what a king would take from them and what is owed to a king. Samuel also warned them that if they appoint themselves a king, there would come a day they would regret their decision and cry out to God, but He will not answer because of their decision to choose an earthly king over The Sovereign King. As verse 19 begins, the Israelites are disagreeing with Samuel’s reasoning and continue demanding a king.

3) Why did Israel want a king so desperately and why did God choose to give them a king?
These verses come toward the end of Samuel’s life. He has appointed his sons as judges over Israel. However, the elders of Israel knew that Samuel’s sons did not live as he did, or follow God as Samuel had. In response, the elders asked for a king. The elders even admitted they desired to have a king “just like the other nations”; they were bent on rejecting God as their king. (1 Samuel 8:1-8) The Israelites strongly wanted to be like everyone around them instead of following their calling to be a nation set apart for God’s purposes. Israel begs for a king as a result of allowing the world around them to have greater influence on them than God. Simply stated, they wanted what everyone else had, which had been a recurring problem for Israel since God rescued them from Egypt. Although God knew it wasn’t in their best interest, He allowed them free will and instructed Samuel to send the elders home until the time a king would be appointed. Even though a king was not what God desired for Israel at this time in history, He allowed it and even used it to teach Israel a lesson about worshipping Him and following Him over others.

Everyday Application

1) Why did Israel not have a king up to this point?
In the United States we do not have a king. As a matter of fact, our country became a nation by people who left England and then fought a war to escape the king’s rule. Citizens of nations with Presidents living under democracies read passages like this in Samuel and don’t have the same understanding the first audience naturally did. God had set Israel apart to be different, and while none of us can claim our nation to be set apart in the same way (unless we are Israel!), God does set apart believers in the same way. There should be a noticeable difference between believers in Jesus and nonbelievers. We should ask ourselves if we are being transformed to the image of God or if we are allowing the world to transform us to their image. God desires for us to submit our lives to Him, looking more like Jesus and less like the world much like He desired Israel to live in submission to Him rather than to an earthly king.

2) What had Samuel said that Israel refused to listen to?
Samuel has just finished providing the Israelites with all the reasons they should not desire a king. However, they refused to listen and demanded a king anyway. How often do we behave in a similar fashion? God provides us with instruction that is best for us, and if we are listening to Him, leads us down the path He knows is right, but we think we know best and ignore God’s leading. We continue to demand our will instead of His, placing ourselves as our own king over His rightful rule. Sometimes we do this because we cannot see God’s plan and God’s path appears too difficult. Other times, we demand our will because we desire control or we feel we know better. In these moments, we behave just as the Israelites, refusing to listen to the wise counsel that truly is best for us.

3) Why did Israel want a king so desperately and why did God choose to give them a king?
Israel desired to look like the other nations around them instead of the set apart nation God had called them to be. They had lived under constant blessing and favor from God. He had rescued them from slavery and led them to a land of their own, yet God’s provision and faithfulness were not enough; Israel wanted more. Israel’s disobedience provides a lesson for us today. Just as the Israelites were in covenant with God, so are all who have surrendered to Jesus and trusted Him as their personal Savior. I appreciate the words of Expositor’s Bible Commentary, “But the lesson of the text is rather for those who have the favour and blessing of God, but are not content, and still crave worldly things. You are in covenant with God. He has redeemed you, not with corruptible things such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. You are now sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what you shall be. There is laid up for you an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. Yet your heart hankers after the things of the world.” We are often drawn astray by the things of the world and we long for what God does not desire for us. Even in His sovereignty, He will allow us the free will of our desires and, just as He taught the Israelites a lesson by allowing them a king, He will teach us a lesson when we follow our earthly desires instead of His. God is a God who pursues us even in the moments we drift away. He will constantly teach us and pull us back to Himself because we have been redeemed by Him and He has plans bigger than ours for our lives.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Fallen Kings!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Enough Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Enough Day 6 Fallen Kings

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Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Samuel 8:19-22
1 Samuel 13:6-15
1 Samuel 16:4-13
2 Samuel 12:1-10
John 4:1-15

Enough, Day 6

“But MOO-ooom, I WANT it!” My toddler’s cheeks flushed with the heat of emotion. He knew what he wanted, and he wanted it RIGHT NOW.

I can relate. Maybe you can, too.

Countless times, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted or needed. I may not have articulated myself the same way he did, but the heart posture and desire have been identical. I know myself. I know what I need. I certainly know what I want, and when I want it.

Ahh, the self life. Like it or not, we’re born with it. It’s fully ours, from the moment our heart begins beating. Self-focus and self-service feel right because it’s in alignment with our flesh. We are born with the intense, driving desire to serve ourselves.

The Israelites weren’t so different from us as they, too, were born with a sin nature. They were born slaves to self, just as we were. In their desperation to make up for the incredible lack they felt, they demanded a leader. A King. A tangible leader to follow; one who’d care for them, inspire them, and check all the boxes they thought would make them feel satisfied, safe, and happy.

But the need they ached to fill with King Saul was a void only God Himself could fill.

Yet, God gave them what they so desperately clamored for: a King. And not without a measure of divine help; Scripture tells us when Saul was anointed by Samuel, God put a new spirit within him. (1 Samuel 10:10) Saul was strong, and handsome. In other words, he checked all the boxes. The Israelites couldn’t have found anyone who seemed a better fit for a king.

But he wasn’t enough. 

Saul was human. He was a man, and when he fell, the Israelites were left in even worse shape than before his reign.

Next, God appointed young David, the lowly shepherd, to be Israel’s king. David was truly a man after God’s heart. The youngest of many brothers, he was relegated to caring for sheep in the fields. During his time in the fields, he learned to play the lyre, and experienced many incredible feats as he kept the sheep in his care safe. Eventually, he began to play for King Saul, and spent time in his courts. David experienced his fair share of rejection, but the Israelites loved him dearly. God loved him dearly, too. Even when David sinned, he remained soft to the Spirit of God. He accomplished much for the Lord, and God blessed Him.

But he wasn’t enough, either.

David was also a man, and like any human being, he sinned. While he did repent, he was completely incapable of meeting the incredible need the Israelites felt.

The hunger for hope.
The longing for leadership.

They knew what they thought they wanted, but they didn’t know what they needed.

But God did.
He knew all along.
He created them, so of course He knew they needed…

To be seen and known.
To be heard. And held.
To be washed clean of every spot, every blemish.
To be forgiven, set free, adopted, and transformed.

Just like any good father, He sees us, just like He saw the Israelites. He sees us, exactly as we are. He sees all the people and things we use to seek solace.

He knows these imitations will never be enough.

Beloved, where are you today? Are you hurting, tired and angry, longing for more but unable to find the thing that makes you feel complete? Do you long to plunge deep in His refreshing presence? Do you wonder what it might feel like to be completely unfettered by the sin which has entangled you? Do you crave belonging, community, and purpose?

Beloved, truth?
You will never be enough.
You’ll never attain enough, or acquire enough, learn enough or do enough.
The Israelites felt all the same things, and looked to their earthly leaders for fulfillment, but their kings fell . . . never enough.

Could anyone ever be enough to reconnect us to the God who sees us, knows and is exactly what we need, and longs to share Himself with us?

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!
Join our Facebook Community!

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Enough Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Enough!

Fervent Day 2 Grace And Peace: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Grace And Peace!

The Questions

1) Who is Paul addressing in verse 1 and why are they supposed to stand firm?

2) Why is Paul urging Euodia and Syntyche to agree? (verse 2)

3) What do we learn about prayer from verses 6 and 7?

Philippians 4:1-7

4 So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Original Intent

1) Who is Paul addressing in verse 1 and why are they supposed to stand firm?Paul is addressing believers in the ancient city of Philippi. To know why Paul is instructing them to stand firm we must look back to what he wrote in Philippians 3:12-21. Here Paul reminds believers to not dwell on the past, but instead look ahead to the prize. (verse 13) He also, with tears, reminds believers that not all people follow Christ. There are enemies of the cross and their end is eternal destruction. (verses 18-19) Paul then reminds them of who they are in Christ, and the rich reward waiting for them in Heaven. (verses 20-21) This foundational reminder is what leads up to Paul’s instruction for the Philippian believers to stand firm. They must stand firm in Christ, anchoring their identity in Him in order not to be swayed from following Jesus by those enemies of the cross.

2) Why is Paul urging Euodia and Syntyche to agree? (verse 2)
Euodia and Syntyche were two believers who were both prominent leaders within the Philippian church. Paul does not provide details about the disagreement between these ladies, however, he does urge them to end their disagreement and repair the relationship, not only for the themselves, but for the whole church. Paul urges their reconciliation for the benefit of the gospel’s mission. They could have been extremely effective in spreading the Good News, but their arguing could cause others to turn away from the eternal hope Jesus offers. Paul didn’t want to see the spreading of the gospel hindered by their inability to reconcile and therefore he urges them towards unity.

3) What do we learn about prayer from verses 6 and 7?
First and foremost, Paul reminds his audience to not worry about anything. (verse 6) However, he does not leave them wondering what to do with their worry. He immediately instructs them to turn to the Lord with everything in prayer as the antidote for their anxieties. Paul provides the Philippians with guidance about different ways of entering into prayer conversations. While prayers often include petitions to God, there are greater depths to explore, and Paul points his audience toward these deeper waters. Prayers should be characterized with heartfelt thanksgiving as we remember and praise God for all He has done and for Who He is as our Lord and Savior. The result of patterning our prayer life in this way results in indescribable peace! (verse 7)

Everyday Application

1) Who is Paul addressing in verse 1 and why are they supposed to stand firm?While Paul is addressing the believers in Philippi, his message is just as much for believers in Jesus today as it was for them. Just as there were those who were not in Christ in Philippi, we find ourselves in the path of those who also do not belong to Christ in our everyday lives. There were enemies of the gospel in Paul’s day and there are enemies of the gospel in ours. Satan is at work and there isn’t a promise of ease when we become believers. Instead, we are promised attacks. Therefore, we must keep our eyes on Christ, on our identity in Him and stand firm against the attacks that are sure to come. When we keep our focus on the prize to come and trust in our identity in Him, we are able to stand firm against any attack that comes our way. Let’s ask the Lord to not only help us stand firm in truth, but also to remember Paul’s tears when he considered the enemies of the cross. Paul’s desire was for those who were far from God to be drawn near to Him. Who can you begin fervently engaging with love to share the gospel?

2) Why is Paul urging Euodia and Syntyche to agree? (verse 2)
These women were believers and leaders within the church at Philippi and they found themselves in the midst of a disagreement. Paul urged them to repair their relationship for the sake of the gospel. While we can love the Lord with all our hearts, serve within His church, and share the Good News with those He puts in our path, we can also damage the advancement of the gospel if our relationships with others are damaged and disunifying. People cannot hear what we are saying about eternal life and Jesus’ love when our actions do not match up. If we are sharing about a God who loves unconditionally, but we cannot love each other, the unbelieving world misses the message. Just as Paul urged these women to agree and repair their relationship for the sake of Christ, we must also ask ourselves if we have a relationship that needs repairing for the sake of the gospel. Who do you and I need to reconcile with in order to allow the Lord to fully work through our lives?

3) What do we learn about prayer from verses 6 and 7?
As believers, we are all called not to worry as it belies what we know to be true about God and His good, kind character. We enjoy a personal relationship with the God of the universe; He is in control of everything and desires for us to turn our worries over to Him. These are burdens He doesn’t want us to carry! However, we all know this is easier said than done. Paul reminds us in these verses there is no petition too big for God. We can bring it all to Him, trusting His will in every situation. A mentor of mine says it well, “We don’t pray before we work, prayer is the work and then God works.” That’s the God we serve. We petition God, then wait for Him in His divine timing to work. God will always answer. However, we need to remember God will answer in His wisdom, not necessarily what we desire. Paul’s reminder to give thanks is also crucial for us to include in our prayers. I can personally attest to God’s goodness when we thank Him. As we respond in thankfulness, looking for the ways God is working, we begin to see through His eyes instead of ours. When we begin choosing thankfulness as a habit, we find reasons to be thankful even in the hardest of situations. We begin to see God’s hand at work even when life doesn’t make sense. God is always working. Are we looking for His activity?

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Grace And Peace!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Fervent Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Questions 2 Day 2 Let’s Party: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Let’s Party!

The Questions

1) Who is speaking in this passage and why would they test themselves with pleasure? (verse 1)

2) What is significant about the author’s pleasures he chose to indulge in? (verses 3-8)

3) What was the author’s conclusion of pursuing pleasure? (verses 9-11)

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

I said to myself, “Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good.” But it turned out to be futile. 2 I said about laughter, “It is madness,” and about pleasure, “What does this accomplish?” 3 I explored with my mind the pull of wine on my body—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—and how to grasp folly, until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.

4 I increased my achievements. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made gardens and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them. 6 I constructed reservoirs for myself from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees. 7 I acquired male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house. I also owned livestock—large herds and flocks—more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered male and female singers for myself, and many concubines, the delights of men. 9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me. 10 All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles. 11 When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Original Intent

1) Who is speaking in this passage and why would they test themselves with pleasure? (verse 1)
Often, the beginning of a biblical book provides us with its place in the timeline of history, which is extremely important to correctly understanding it in its cultural setting, as well as stating the author’s name along with, generally, some idea of their career or place in society. Ecclesiastes 1:1 does not disappoint and reveals this book contains “The words of the Teacher, son of David, King of Jerusalem.” While David had multiple sons, the fact the author noted himself as “King of Jerusalem” narrows the possible authors down to 1, Solomon. (1 Kings 1:15-30) Solomon, the son of King David, was given the throne on David’s death, but was also given vast wisdom, keen understanding, and riches beyond measure by the Lord. (1 Kings 3:5-14) This gift from God’s wisdom granted Solomon insight into all manner of areas including kingly reign, justice, human relationships, and even scientific exploration that was radically advanced for his day. However, God didn’t give Solomon all wisdom, rather He allowed Solomon’s wisdom to pair with curiosity, which gave him the gift of exploring life in deeper ways. When Solomon “said to (himself), “Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good” (verse 1), it comes on the heels of the closing of chapter 1:12-18, where we find Solomon had deeply explored wisdom and understanding to find the purpose and fullest satisfaction of life. Having explored book learning and human interaction and hard work and finding them all “a pursuit of the wind” (verse 17), he turns his attention to pleasure to find the source of lasting satisfaction.

2) What is significant about the author’s pleasures he chose to indulge in? (verses 3-8)
Self-seeking. Every single one of Solomon’s pleasures he chose to envelope himself within hinged upon himself. What could make him happy, or happiest? This was his pursuit, and the list is quite lengthy. Wine and the alluring pull of alcohol, he tried it. (verse 3) Hard work and accomplishment, he invested long hours and much money. (verses 4-5) He tried his hand at civil engineering and architecture. (verse 6) He lived in the lap of luxury to the nth degree, nothing was out of his reach. He wanted for nothing and acquired so many slaves that his every wish was their command. (verses 7-8) The finest entertainment was available at his demand whether it was the arts or sexual fulfillment. (verse 8) Solomon created an environment where he was the center. Not one thing on his lengthy list of impressive wealth accumulations, status, power, and access to pleasure was earmarked for the disposal of anyone but himself. Pleasure, with its attractive power, exclusively tugs one person into its gravitational pull, leaving all others out. Pleasure is about one person, self, and Solomon certainly experienced this reality as he explored the source of true and lasting satisfaction.

3) What was the author’s conclusion of pursuing pleasure? (verses 9-11)
Literally everything was accessible to Solomon as he stated, “I did not refuse myself any pleasure” (verse 10), with the exception of one. Satisfaction. In the end, all of his years of pleasure seeking were summed up by his own words, “When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.” (verse 11) The only reward was the momentary pleasure his pursuits brought him at that time, but nothing that lasted. “I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles.” (verse 10) Permanent pleasure was not compatible with the ever-elusive satisfaction Solomon sought. The king observed everyone around him pursuing pleasure, yet, once he did the same, he walked away with the wise understanding that nothing satisfied for everything was fleeting like “pursuing the wind”. (verse 11)

Everyday Application

1) Who is speaking in this passage and why would they test themselves with pleasure? (verse 1)
One of the most common questions every human heart asks is, “What is my purpose?”. Solomon, even with all of his wisdom, asked the same question and explored many avenues to discover true, lasting happiness and purpose. While he had studied wisdom and book learning and how people live out their lives, he found it all to be repetitive and, in the end, meaningless. What things have you pursued in order to find true satisfaction? Maybe you’ve invested time, energy, and resources, all with the hope of finally being happy and finding a purpose that doesn’t fade away. I know I have, many times in many ways. I’ve spent the majority of my married years placing my identity and focused energy in my kids and in working to manage (err, manipulate, actually) my husband into loving me and responding to me in the way that makes me the happiest and most satisfied. Not only did my attempt to find lasting happiness in my marriage and kids prove to be utterly unsuccessful by my own manipulation, it also was (yes, caught me again, still is) incredibly un-loving. No relationship will ever be able to satisfy me. No amount of pleasure found through any source will have the endurance to sustain my unquenchable desire to be perfectly and continuously happy. Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes to lay out his research and his conclusion was that only in God do we find out greatest delight. Jesus reiterated this truth when He said, “I have come so they may have life and have it in abundance.” (John 10:10) For me, I’ve found this to be abundantly true as well. Only when I shift my eyes off trying to wring pleasure out of my relationships and onto Jesus, have I found long-lasting and sweetly satisfying delight in both Jesus and my human relationships. Only Jesus offers satisfaction that lasts, truly everything else is meaningless in comparison.

2) What is significant about the author’s pleasures he chose to indulge in? (verses 3-8)
Solomon explored many different types of pleasure. Perhaps some of them are specifically tempting to you, or maybe none of them, but every human being longs to find delight and be satisfied in something. Solomon’s list of delights was lengthy and specific. I wonder what might fill your list if you were to specifically name them. I challenged myself to do this and was surprised at how easy it was to not only create a very specific list, but also how defensive and quick to justify my choices I became as I called them out by name.  A clean house. No wait. A clean house that someone else cleans. My internal voice continued with a decently good justification for this desire, “I actually pretty much deserve someone else to clean my house. I’ve maintained our home for 19 years, without a break. And my husband never seems to jump in and help me anyways. In fact, I need someone to clean for me. Think of all the other things I could do! Like, nap instead of pick up after others. Maybe someone else could cook for me too….” How quickly my focus became myself to the exclusion, and even demeaning of others, as I thought of how to please myself. One self-serving desire led straight to another without any hinderance at all. The whole practice was a little disconcerting, honestly. This pursuit of self-seeking pleasure runs in direct contradiction to the call of Jesus. He says that to follow Him, we must deny ourselves. (Luke 9:23) Just as there isn’t one thing in Solomon’s list that lent itself to sacrifice for another, neither did my list, and I’m guessing your honest list, if given free reign, wouldn’t include others either. Self-seeking pleasure and sacrifice live in constant opposition.

3) What was the author’s conclusion of pursuing pleasure? (verses 9-11)
If you take the challenge to read through the relatively short book of Ecclesiastes, you’ll find King Solomon’s concluding refrain of “nothing to be gained under the sun” repeated often as he studies the intricacies of life, relationships, work, academics, and pursuits of all kinds. The whole book can feel melancholy and a bit dismal, which should be taken to heart by all of us. At the beginning of his reign, King Solomon submitted himself to the wisdom of God, recognizing his own human failings and weaknesses, especially in light of the vast endlessness of the Almighty. (1 Kings 3:7-9) This position, Solomon later wrote, is the beginning of wisdom. True wisdom. (Proverbs 1:7) Wisdom that says only the Lord can bring lasting delight. Solomon was right, there really is nothing new under the sun. If we look at our possessions and our pursuits, and even our relationships, and then cast our eyes to eternity, we should shudder in our shoes. Nothing new under the sun. Everything will fade away except the Word of the Lord. (Isaiah 40:8) What will actually last forever? What is worth giving ourselves for? Jesus. Pursuing Jesus. When we surrender the whole of our everything to Him, and Him alone, He fills us with good things. (Matthew 7:11) Delightful things. Satisfyingly sweet things. Things that won’t entangle our hearts, tempting us to love ourselves more than our Savior as long as we fix our eyes on Christ alone. So, Sister, having studied this wise, ancient king, I’m thinking about the things I can start dethroning from my must-have-pleasure-list so I can give my everything to the Only King worthy of my everything. What about you?

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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The GT Weekend! ~ Reveal Week 1

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The GT Weekend!

At Gracefully Truthful, weekends aren’t for “checking out”.
Use this time to invite the Almighty’s fullness into you life in a deeper way!
Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to
reflect, rest, and re-center our lives onto Christ.
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other women in prayer,
rest your soul in reflective journaling,
and spend time worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) 2020. The year that will be forever marked with loss for many, and confusion and chaos for nearly all of us. In what ways has the Covid-19 pandemic gripped you with loss? Even the loss of normalcy significantly impacts each of us in different ways around the globe. Together, we share in this experience of loss. Maybe for you, just seeing the word loss makes your eyes swim with tears. Perhaps you’ve dreaded this Christmas season because the weight of absence feels impossibly heavy. We often move into the tendency to manage how we feel about loss rather than deal with it, allowing it to become part of who we are. What would it look like for you to acknowledge your loss this December? What if, instead of trying to stomp out the embers of ache and emptiness, we allowed them to swirl around us unhindered. What might the Lord Jesus reveal about our hearts, and our always constant need for Him, in the light of those flickers of brilliant loss? Make space this weekend to journal about your emptiness and aching places as you walk into December. Weep and be held by the Lord of Life and let Him comfort you.

2) Heartache isn’t a word we love to talk or write about with languishing love. The very word signifies we have traveled a long path, a weary one, a wounding one.  While most of us can easily describe some of our past experiences as bringing burdening ache to our hearts, we don’t often consider the heartache of God. Jesus came as a squalling babe in a rough manger, experiencing our heartache from the moment His holy lungs breathed their first earthly breath. Then, hanging on a cruel cross, knowing your sin and mine was being paid for in His righteous flesh, His heart continued breaking for us to come near and know His peace. As we walk through suffering, often made raw again at Christmas, be reminded the Savior knows you deeply. Pen the words of Psalm 90:14 on a card and make it a visible reminder to ask the Lord to satisfy you with His love this Christmas!

3) Ancient King Solomon wisely summarized, “Hope delayed makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12) What have you waited for? I mean, really waited for? A baby? A husband? A healthy marriage? A new position at work? Peace in relationships? Joy to return? Israel waited for the One promised by God to come and free them, but their expectations were so far off they missed the Savior entirely, even crucifying Him. I know I’ve done the same thing with my longings. For nearly two decades, I longed for my husband to act a certain way within our marriage. As Solomon wrote, I was indeed “heart sick”, but God graciously revealed how many good qualities I had missed completely because I wanted my “hoped for” to look as I expected. As I shifted my gaze to the Giver of all things, He opened my eyes to so much more! What if we each decided to surrender our hopes and dreams to the God who perfectly fulfills every heart that trusts in Him?!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Luke 1:78-79 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Because of our God’s merciful compassion,
the dawn from on high will visit us to shine on those who live in darkness
and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Prayer Journal
Ah Lord God, my view of myself and my circumstance is often so magnified compared to how I view You. I forget You are sovereign. I forget You are loving, good, and always for me. Oh Lord, I do believe You, help my unbelief! (Mark 9:24) Sometimes, I think of those shepherds on that first Christmas, or of Mary and Joseph, all of whom saw angels with their own eyes, and heard glorious tidings of good news! How easy it must have been to believe them! I forget, Lord, how long they had waited as an entire people for Your coming. How many times had they doubted? Even in the middle of Your very presence in their lives, how often did the “ordinary” feel too mundane to be holy? Seep my heart in Your presence so deeply, Holy Spirit, that I begin to see my regular life from Your vantage point. I wait for much, yet You are never delayed nor out of touch. I grieve, yet I know You hold every tear in Your safekeeping. I’ve lost much, but I know redemption is Your good work. Though I cry out, “how long, Lord?” and beg You to “turn and have compassion on Your servant”, “let Your work be seen by your servants and Your splendor by their children.” You alone are holy, sovereign, and always love, and I praise You!

Worship Through Community

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