“Behold, this is what I found, says the Preacher, while adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things – which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found. One man among a thousand I found, but a woman among all these I have not found. See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.” – Ecclesiastes 7:27-29
I’ve been an adulterer.
It grieves me to admit it, but it’s true. Since my husband reads this stuff, let me be clear that this adultery has nothing to do with my marriage of nineteen years.
James 4 refers to this kind of unfaithfulness as spiritual adultery – a friendship with the world that steals our affection, love, and devotion away from our first love. We would surely chose another word to describe it to lessen the blow, but James calls it like it is: “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (Jas. 4:4). The betrayal can happen in an instant, but often times our worldly embrace creeps in more subtly. An indulgence here. A compromise there. We take in the temptations around us in doses we think are undetectable, safe and manageable… until we are consumed by the desires of our flesh, the desires of our eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15–16).
But God made us for something more.
God made man upright, but one devastating choice in the garden changed all that (Genesis 3). Instead of embracing the fullness of life that was designed by their Creator, Adam and Eve stepped out from under God’s authority and became intimate friends of the world. As spiritual adulterers they slipped into boredom with God and ran after what looked good, what tasted good, and what they thought could fulfill their longings for more: more wisdom, more authority, more control. They convinced themselves that it was a deserved indulgence; a small compromise that would elevate their status and satisfy their deepest longings. They were dead wrong.
They forgot that they were made to be satisfied by the lover of their souls.
“When you become so blind that the maker of galaxies and ruler of nations and knower of all mysteries and lover of our souls becomes boring, then only one thing is left – the love of the world. For the heart is always restless. It must have its treasure: if not in heaven, then on earth.” – Piper
I have been an adulterer too.
I’ve been blind to the goodness of God; seeking what I want from the world instead of the Jesus I need.
Just like the rest of the Bible, the book of Ecclesiastes points us to a greater unfolding Story – the Story that paves the way for the much needed coming Messiah. He’s the missing piece of the puzzle, in Solomon’s life… and in ours. It’s a reminder of who we are without God, how our deceitful hearts constantly wander, and just how desperate we are for a Savior.
Let’s talk in the comments below: What worldly thing are you pursing right now instead of Jesus?
Would you fall to your knees, repent, and choose today to be the day that faithfulness returns to your covenant relationship with Him?
One woman at a time, let’s storm heaven and return to the Jesus we need…
At His feet,
.
It is subtle isn’t it? Just a little taste here and a little there. I want attention and popularity. I was never the popular kid growing up. And at nearly 40 I still just want everyone to like me. Oh Father God may I care more about what You think of me than what others think. May I focus on making You known and telling others about You than telling them about me.
Is that not a problem we women have in common? I recognise your words, and pray the same prayer with you!
I feel the same. I grew up as the fat kid. I have longed for acceptance from the world. But I desire more to please God. But it is such a struggle.
Seeking things I don’t have, I’m always scheming like the verses say to figure out the whys and why can’t I have this when others have it, the comparison and self deserving game are dangerous!!! through this study I’m learning nothing satisfies like jesus. Also, I have to be content and grateful for the blessings I do have, and stop wishing for more or something else. Why would Jesus ever want to provide more if I’m never satisfied with what I have. Learning to fully embrace and accept my reality and finding that deep inner peace. ??
I can relate to what you said! I am the same way…always wanting more. I feel the twinge in my soul saying, “You don’t really need this” and then my flesh convinces me otherwise. God, I don’t want to be constantly chasing after the pleasures of this world. Please remind me that true satisfaction comes from being thankful for what you have given me—Jesus, mountains of blessings….my family, my necessities, the beautiful birds that come to my feeder. Thank you for these blessings that satisfy far more than anything found in this world. Forgive me for the times my flesh turns to the world. I pray that I would be gently lead back to You each time I wander over to the things of the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
These verses caught me here. There are so many thoughts rolling around in my head but what stands out the most is that he found only one man in a thousand who was wise but not one woman. How sad that Solomon (out of the 100’s of women in his life) surrounded himself with those he considered unwise. It stands as a reminder to me to be pure and holy in God’s eyes. P: Lord, may I seek Your wisdom and not the wisdom of this world. Amen.
That truly stood out to me as well Dawn. Wow!!! that one man out of a thousand was wise and he found not even one to be wise. Truly sad!! The Lord showed me this morning that its okay to not fit in with the crowd. Its okay to be wise. I am at a place right now where I’m praying for Godly friends that will be genuinely real. I have been divorced for a year now. I’m truly so grateful to God. He has seen me through so much. Grateful to my family! As when you divorce you truly find out who really were your friends. For me I will strive for wisdom long before this crazy world. Lord help me to seek wisdom and not the ways of this world. Amen
After 25 years of a career working in a very negative ,environment, the California prison system, I have retire this week. I love this teaching and jesus’ calling (thank you Whitney), to now seek His purpose for me. I am now His totally, my days, however many I have left, are totally His.
Wow did this hit home. I was suppose to get married in six weeks only to have my fiance call off the wedding and break my heart. I have been devastated the last few weeks, crying out in prayer and trusting God. I have not asked ‘why’ but instead ‘what’ am I to learn. Reading this today has opened my eyes. I became that adulterer. My fiancee, although a great man, had a very lukewarm relationship with the Lord. Over the years I got caught up in the same type of relationship spending less time with the Lord and more time getting caught up in the riches of life and the rich lifestyle that was being offered. Reading today’s post made me realize how wrong I was and I humbly ask forgiveness for loving the ‘things of this world’ more than God. Someone told me ‘God saved me from something I didn’t even know I needed saving from” and now I can see what it is. Thank you for writing this honest post. It spoke volumes to my heart.
Christine:
Although it hurt I am so glad God rescued you before you entered into marriage. You have been wise to ask what and not why. My daughter did not make that choice and life is a struggle because of it. Your life will be blessed because you chose the Lord first.
My heart is kind of like the way Joy described it the other day. I have recently been disappointed and it has led to great discouragement. I am not sure how to deal with it, and instead of running to God, I have run away from Him. I’ve stuffed my face with books, shows, food, and whatever else I can so that I can ignore Gods plea to come and receive healing. I don’t know why I want to stay mad. I guess because its easier than making myself vulnerable to hurt again. Please pray for me that I will grow from this and run back to God. He is the only one who can satisfy. What the world offers me is empty. I am sorry Lord.
hi Miranda,
I, too, have been disappointed and dare I say, angry at God lately. But here’s the thing. He’s big enough to take it and indeed, I think He just wants you to talk to Him about it. Look at Psalms- the psalmists were broken people crying out to God in their hurt and God eventually responded and even put in the Bible! It’s the “eventually” that can be hard, isn’t it?
This is the funny thing. To the extent I’ve been comforted this week, it hasn’t been by the usual suspects. God is working on a friend of mine who’s agnostic — because , I suspect, of disappointment and yet, i can see God using him to get to me. Funny. It spoke to me.
When it seems like God is gone or silent — and I’m there with you, sister – remember He is good. He’s got a plan for you. He says He will never leave you even if you can’t feel Him. I saw a quote yesterday that said the test giver is quiet during the test. Make no mistake – this is a test.
I pray for you now, Miranda, that God will comfort you and speak to you. I pray that somehow, some way, today is the day that He will show up for you like a signpost on this journey.
This one hit a nerve
I too fall into the worlds trap of thinking the next thing will make me happy. Lasting joy is found in the Lord alone. He gives all of himself so freely! Lord help me to go only to You for Joy and contentment.
In so many facets of life I feel insecure. Not being good enough in worship, questioning my ability to lead & teach, my friendships, marriage, parenting, my weight, my character & who God created me to be….I long to be admired, accomplished, looked up to….I want to feel that I’m knocking something out of the park!! Yet, even when I was pursuing a career & appearing successful, it was never enough. There was always more. Bigger. Better. I know my confidence & security is in Jesus & Him alone! I know I am not defined by what I do, rather WHO I AM! I know I have been faithful to the call in my life, & yet I still struggle often with selfish ambition & wanting to be somebody. HOW do we walk in the truth?? Is it something we will forever battle??
I can so relate to this Kyla! Thank you for sharing! Praying for us both that we can look to God alone for our worth and learn day by day and step by step how to walk it out in this life! Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing!
I have found myself seeking more things and acceptance from people. But I know that the only one I need to seek acceptance from is Christ. Man will be for you today and turn against you tomorrow.
Father help me to run fully to you and be comforted by your loving brother. Amen!
This post definitely has me thinking and wanting more and more to see where I am really at so I can turn back towards God. I am seperated from my husband right now, it is a relationship that was very difficult and destructive in many ways. Being on the other side and seperated I am realizing how hungry I am for love, for acceptance and the lengths I have gone to {accepting and calling normal things that weren’t ok} to feel loved. Since the separation I have been growing closer to God and He really has lead me through and taught me so much through this whole situation. But there are still days, weeks sometimes where I don’t take my hunger to God and turn back to looking around me to fill that hunger for love. I know He is leading me to know Him more so that I can abide in Him day in and day out. With three little ones I feel my attention is stretched in different directions. God I want to know You more so that I can abide in You. Please have my heart in every moment whether busy or relaxing or working or playing. And for all of us Lord I pray that we may look to You and know that only You satisfy ? thank you God! Thank you all for sharing too it helps so much to read where you all are at too!
This was such a challenging blog. So many times I think I get it, that I love the Lord, and that all I have is His. Between reading the blog, Ecclesiastes, and watching Matt Chandler speak on Phillipians 3, I think I have come out of denial and need to repent of pride. Thank you for being obedient to speak truth into our lives.
I am so thankful for opening this blog post this morning. I am single Mom and and am struggling with loneliness tremendously! Also, I can relate Jesus to being my father,best friend, and teacher; however struggle to correlate him as my husband, because he created us with physical and emotional needs. He created us to love and be loved. I was to go hang out with a male friend tonight who doesn’t know the Lord, and Holy Spirit has been nudging me that it’s not a good idea, because I’m very vulnerable emotionally right now and I want a Godly relationship. I was married for twenty years and found God during the abusive marriage, but our relationship was unequally yoked, and I know I don’t want or need this again. I’m angry with myself for wanting to go, but as I sit here crying know I need not to.
In my case it isn’t what Im pursuing. It is the daily battle of these desires. To be important . to be looked up to . I hate that I want people to see me as an important person. I guess I want to feel needed . and I hate that my desire for importance is a battle every day.
This study affirms that what I need is “More of Jesus” and less of ME.
If I find myself longing for something and asking God for it and it does not happen. I have to understand that God’s plan is far greater than mine could ever be, and instead of working hard to get what I want, I have to learn during those times to “Let Go” and to “Surrender” and trust that the Lord, in his timing, will lead me and guide me to what HE wants in my life . Being Still and waiting on the Lord, is the hardest thing for me to do, but when I do it, peace fills my soul.
Amen. So true. Everyone will let us down. But Jesus won’t.