Nothing new under the sun

If you have ever read through the book of Ecclesiastes, you have read the phrase, “there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

These days, the news and social media are filled with things that bring most of us to shaking our heads and wondering how things how gotten so bad in our world.

Last weekend, I was reading in the book of Nehemiah: “But they, our fathers, acted arrogantly; they became stubborn and would not listen to Your commandments. They refused to listen, and did not remember Your wondrous deeds which You had performed among them; so they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; and You did not forsake them.” (Nehemiah 9:16-18)

Reflecting on Nehemiah 9

I do not want to take this text out of context, but it reminded me that even though we are living through a time when it doesn’t seem like our elected representatives and leaders even care about the people they are suppose to represent, we have a heavenly Father who is always watching over us.

Do I pray for our leaders on a regular basis?

I have not been praying for them on a regular basis, so this is something I can do to help me not be so frustrated with the decisions they are making.

God knows there are evil people in our world, because He knows there is nothing new under the sun.

Our pastor has been spending quite a bit of time teaching on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer board

What can I be praying for? What can I be thankful for?

These are two questions I can ask myself as I begin each day, and I can ask myself as I go through every day.

It is so easy to be discouraged.

But when we take our eyes off of the world, and focus on Him, our perspective changes.

What will you be praying for? What are you thankful for?