the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 5 of 5
Ecclesiastes 7:16-29
What does the advice of v. 16 mean? Is it that we are in danger of being too careful about our behaviour? Certainly not! We can never have too sensitive a conscience. But there is a danger into which the newly converted often fall. In their behaviour and speech, they may exceed the measure of their faith. At the same time, they are quick to criticise other Christians, simply because they do not yet know themselves (Romans 12:3).
V. 21 presents the other side when we ourselves are the object of criticism. If we have the Lord’s approval for what we are doing, we should not take it to heart. "He that feareth God shall come forth of them all" (v. 18); he is taught to stand up to the most dangerous situations. Among these snares v. 26 includes "the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands." The person who is pleasing to God (that is to say who fears and obeys Him) can count on being kept and will escape "but the sinner shall be taken by her." Two very different stories illustrate this – Joseph (Genesis 39:7 . . .) and, tragically, Samson snared by Delilah (Judges 16:4 . . .). Young Christians, let us meditate seriously on these two examples!
