Dear ones,

If God’s sovereign hand allows us to gather this Sunday, we will plan on looking together at Ecclesiastes 5:18 – 6:12. God is the Giver of our portion in this life. Rather than spending our life constantly fixated upon and pursuing what we don’t have, Solomon instructs us to enjoy what we do have. And when we can enjoy God’s good gifts, that is a gift from Him in and of itself. For it is possible to have wealth, honor, and gain and not to enjoy any of it – for true satisfaction is not found in the gift; it is found alone in the Giver of the gift. The large print found on the ‘packaging’ of every physical blessing in this world is this – ‘Satisfaction Sold Separately’. Where are you looking for satisfaction?

Florence is in the hands of the Creator of all things and the Judge of the earth. It is under His control and will accomplish all of His purposes. 

Glorify Your name, O Lord. May we bow to Your Sovereign will. May men’s souls find refuge in Jesus Christ just as Noah found refuge in the ark. Root out human pride and make us fall before You in great humility and repentance. Rather than take part in the foolish games of Job’s friends who thought they could understand Your ways and Your reasons in Your providence, may we place our hands over our mouths and marvel at the greatness and rightness of Your ways.

Psalm 135:5-7 – For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places. He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries.

Amos 3:6b – If there is calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it?