Man or Beast??

18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. 19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. 20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? 22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him? Ecclesiastes 3:18-22

Man compared to beast (animals). Are we like animals? In one sense we are inclined to say yes, because both are born, both eat to physically strengthen themselves, both breathe air to live and both die.

Warren Wiersbe says,”For when man leaves God out of his life, he becomes like an animal. He lives like a beast and dies like a beast.” (Be Satisfied, loc 973, Kindle version)

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. II Peter 2:19-20

Man has body, soul and spirit. Animal has body. The similarities end there. Are we better than animals? I say yes, there are some that would disagree but let’s look at what God’s word says about man.

God made us in His own image

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Genesis 1:26 

God wants us to walk right

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Psalm 37:23 

They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Psalm 119:3 

God wants us to trust Him

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34:8 

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. Psalm 118:8 

God wants us to follow Him

Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. III John 1:11 

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 1Thessalonians 5:15 

God wants us to obey Him

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Hebrews 5:9 

Next time you see an animal remember you are not related, but you were created in the image of God. Praise God for giving you LIFE!

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Great Accomplishment

[15] So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. [16] And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God. [17] Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them. [18] For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah. [19] Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear. Nehemiah 6:15-19

Great news, the wall is finished in only fifty-two days. Fifty-two days is less than two months. According to Josephus, an ancient historian, the wall was 33 stadia which converts to approximately 4.5 miles long. This was an amazing feat to accomplish. The wall was in total despair when he arrived, destroyed and burnt (2:13). He had constant opposition (2:10; 2:19; 4:1-3 …) and discouragement from workers (chapter 5). In all this Nehemiah kept going.

Just to keep this in perspective, the city I live near is in the process of a major renovation of a local highway. The project is changing the highway (6 lanes, 3 on each side) to a boulevard (2 lanes, one on each side) for approximately 1 mile. The projected time frame is 2.5 years and the cost is very expensive. Keep in mind that the project has skilled people, modern machines and up to the minute technologies.

When you take into account that Nehemiah did not have skilled people, did not have modern machines, and certainly did not have the technology we have today, one is awed and can see the hand of God. This is exactly what the people saw in Nehemiah’s day, “they perceived that this work was wrought of our God”.

Letters passed between the nobles and Tobiah, keeping each informed of the progress. Some also tried to tell Nehemiah about “good deeds” that Tobiah was doing. Nehemiah did not take the bait, which was when Tobiah sent him threatening letters.

Lesson learned:
When the world recognizes we are doing God’s work they become dishearten. The world wants us to go along with them not follow the Lord.

We need to follow God and be strong, no matter what. Nehemiah did not budge but trusted God, we need to do the same.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. I Timothy 6:11

Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. III John 1:11

Have a blessed day,
Donna