And there is nothing new under the sun.

By now we are well into the New Year. Many of us have hopeful expectations for a much brighter year ahead. Many have made a new year’s resolution to change something in their life and all for the better. Some will succeed at goal setting in the coming year although stats show that few will make it through the first week with a new year’s resolution. That is no surprise to me. Rarely did my resolution last a full day, let alone a week. There is one certainty, this year there will be change in our world; it is inevitable because nothing stays the same. So why is there nothing new under the sun when everthing changes?

King Solomon under the inspiration of God wrote in proverbs,’ there is nothing new under the sun. ’ Truly, there is not.(Ecc. 3:15) 'What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again.' .Every generation since recorded time has sweated by their brow, hoping for easier, bigger, better. Each year growing and advanced technology has brought new inventions that have helped to change our world for the better. Many have prospered in abundance at their gift of knowledge. Medical technology has developed gadgets and medicines to help lengthen and sustain our lives. If you have enough money you can purchase a new face or buy a body transformation. Shinny new wheels are born each year to entice us to do what it takes to have the new toy. Leisure and relaxation are available at our beckon call and never ending. Movies, travel, toys, cars, games, i- pads, smart phones, I -pods, clothes, shoes, stuff can easily take us from our cares or worries and fill the hole. What we want is at our fingertips if the money is available. All these things might make us think our hard work is possibly worth it. These things are nice indeed and may work for a time to satisfy the longing inside for happiness but eventually these things get old. Then out comes another new. So we find something else to fill us up. There is nothing new under the sun. (Proverbs 1:8-9)

If we have none of these things, we may blame God as being heartless and cruel. We might get bitter at our employer for paying pitiful wages and angry with those who have what we do not. Perhaps it is all you can do to keep some food on the table let alone think of purchasing a new smart phone. Many believe they have been dealt a rotten deck of cards and are doomed to struggle. Many will stay in the mode only working to fill out forms for food, medical or housing depending on government and others to help them in the times we live and many blaming ‘they’ do not supply, enough. There is nothing new under the sun. We are always longing, searching.

There are many who work hard and struggle each day to make it. They accept their life as it is and hope and pray a break will come along their way. They keep trucking but inside may feel empty, lonely or frightened. If only I could do this or that I would feel better. Nothing really changes and the price of milk continues to rise. There is nothing new under the sun.

The fact we are all born into a fallen world remains. With the fall of Adam we inherited a sin nature. We are born with it. ( 2 Corinthians 4:4) No matter what year we are in, this is nothing new. No one can change that fact. Put a couple of two year olds in a room with one toy and see the nature go to work. Many deny the fact we have a sin nature or believe it to be a choice. No we do not need to learn how to sin. Because of sin there has always been evil and wickedness around us. A battle we face each day in our world. But the worse battle lies inside of us facing our own wicked sin nature.

Even King Solomon in all of his wisdom and riches knew that the only way to true happiness and joy was God. God filled the longing inside and nothing else would do. King Solomon was the wealthiest and wisest man that was or will ever be. He got entangled in idols. All of his 700 wives, 300 concubines, temples of gold and silver, cattle, camels, chariots, linens, silk, food, wines, entertainment did not fill the hole he had inside. He had everything anyone could want and more. He lacked nothing. God told him not to marry woman that worshiped idols. God told him not to marry gentiles and to stay married to his own kind. ( 1 Kings 11: 9-13) God warned King Solomon he would be swayed to worship other gods. The King in all of his wisdom did marry such woman. He was persuaded to idol worship. In doing so King Solomon lost himself and was desolate, lonely and broken.

Maybe for a time we will find success in worldly things and wealth, even in our own strength. After all will power, is all it takes? You just need to try harder. It is only an amount of time and our own power will wear down. There is still a need to fill the hole and the longing inside. Media pushes us towards things. Government offers us revision for a better tomorrow, only to fall short. Family, friends, work will disappoint us. Promises are left empty. The hope you had for another is gone by his fallen promise and you are left with another broken heart. This is nothing new under the sun.

There are men in the pulpit who devise and alter scripture, for their own means. They will tell the church there are many paths to heaven. After all they are good people, doing good causes and working hard to raise a healthy and happy family and giving to the church, while serving others. They may hear from the church it is the 21^st century. A good God will certainly meet us where we are at. Be in unity with one another is the answer. Evil is considered good and good, evil. This is nothing new under the sun. There have always been false profits.

Some may leave or literally run from the church hearing they need to follow the commands or burn in hell. No one, not one can follow the commands. This is religion. Jesus hates religion. The Pharisees were about religion and law. They defiled the humble and those who stood for Jesus Christ. They wrapped themselves in their garments and walked past such men to avoid them. The commands point us to why we need a Savior. God knew we could not possibly keep commands. We are sinners. Many will run from Church and shun the so called ‘Christian’ who claims to be all pious and good. It is no wonder if they are taught law. They believe the lie. The devil deceives them. There are many churches’ that do teach the truth of Grace found only in Jesus Christ. Keep searching you will know where the Holy Spirit reigns in truth.

A sin nature will destroy us. We know by our own experience. We can look out of the windows and see what sin nature brings with it. No one can forgive, repair or fix our sin nature except one, Jesus Christ. There is nothing new under the sun. No matter how hard we may try to do better, work harder, clean up the act, give more, sin less, promise ourselves or others change, we alone are unable to alter our sin condition. On our own we will have little success, if any. We will disappoint ourselves. We might come to believe we are worthless and have no will power to do anything! So that failed and perhaps you will just try harder the next time around. Maybe you will stay in the hump and not try at all. We cannot do this life alone. We were not made to do it alone on our own accord.

There is only one God and only one will do. There is only one that died to pay for our sins and forgives us our sin. NO ONE else, no other God has paid a price for us. No other god gives us eternal life. No idol brings us supply. No idol fights our battles. No idol shed his blood for us.There is only one who will fill the hole, we so long to fill. We can temporarily purchase happiness but down the road we will find it takes more to fill the longing inside. True Joy comes from the Lord Jesus. If you are a child of God you know what I write. We all had to open the door to Jesus. He still stands at the door and knocks. He is no respecter of people. He stood at my door and He stands at yours. He will not push the door open. Only we can turn it open it to His light and power. He saves us and none other will take the sin deep in our hearts and forgive us and renew us so we are born again.

I truly hope this year brings you much joy. I am not here to tell you I am better I am not. I am forgiven. The Pearl of treasures is Jesus Christ. There is no doubt there will be trials and tribulations we will face. Nothing stays the same except the living WORD of GOD. The evil and wickedness is not going away until Jesus returns but our Lord and Savior promises to never leave nor forsake us. (Hebrews 3:13) He will carry us, when we fall. There is no sin too large that Jesus cannot forgive you. We all had to come to Jesus. It is a choice we make in this lifetime. Jesus will work on us and our sin nature will start to fall from us. It is nothing we have done. It is everything He has done for us on the cross.

Our longing for Jesus will grow in truth and understanding. Our true home is eternity with God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit of God. Eternity is born into our hearts. The longing has always been there, we were born with it. God knew we needed a Savor for our sin. It is Jesus who fills the hole and only Jesus. If you are hurting and nothing fills the hole. If you are searching, you need go no farther. Jesus Christ is the way truth and life.( John 14:6) You need to be willing to acknowledge you are a sinner, repent of sin and invite Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior. You will look and see with new eyes. You will be born again. Romans (10:9-10)

The blinds are open to the New Year 2014. Go boldly before Jesus and His throne of Grace in humble desperation and hope. Be of bold and courageous faith in this coming year. Pick up your Bible, dust it off if you need to, read it. You will hear the voice of God. Fellowship with other believers and know you are loved by Jesus more than you can ever possibly imagine. Jesus always loved you and I, He only wants our love. The devil comes only to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10) Jesus came so we could have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) Choose Jesus.

My Love, Skye

© Copyright 2014 Skye Tudae