I love the potency of scripture.
The density of deep truth per verse is often SO high.
Ecclesiastes 1:7 is a good example.
“All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full.”
Solomon’s larger mission in the first chapter of Ecclesiastes is to remind the reader that creation and the cycle of human significance greatly transcends the significance of a single human life.
It’s all about humility and recognizing that the world doesn’t revolve around the reader.
Solomon was the ultimate “big dog” in his day, yet even he realized that his dreams and his status compared to all creation were like gnats compared to a herd of elephants.
In our fallen world where human nature still is prone to pride-inflation, Solomon’s words are quite useful.
We endear ourselves to God and prepare for serving others when we set our world to revolve around God rather than wanting the world to revolve around us.
Regarding the verse above, I’m reminded that no matter how much learning of scripture or praying for wisdom that I seek, I will never know all that I should.
Because I am a flawed sinner, I will always have room for improvement in what I know, what I show, where I go and when I should say, “No.”
Jesus spoke of streams of Living Water flowing into and out of believers (John 7:38).
I want that, but how do I get that?
I have to believe in Jesus as the scriptures call me to.
It’s all about understanding that God never wants us to be at 100 percent capacity in knowledge or in material blessings or in earthly comfort.
Why? Because if we’re full, we can’t receive any more.
Of course, we’re fools if we think we don’t need more knowledge from God or if we think we’re materially or physically secure apart from His favor.
We’ll always need His mercy in this life, no matter how much favor He has already sent our way.
And so will others always need our gracious treatment, no matter how much we’ve already shown them.
Remember the “70 times 7” lesson to Peter about forgiveness?
God’s streams of Truth and mercy and strength and blessing will always flow into our lives, but we will never be full in this life. We’ll always need more from Him, in part because we fall down in sin or in good-hearted weakness or because we live in a fallen world.
Please pray daily for God to fill your cups. And make sure that you are pouring Truth and mercy and strength and blessing into the cups of those around you.
It’s what we’re created and re-created in Christ to do.
As always, I love you
Martin
