Daily devotional, December 18, 2023 Dishwashing Liquid
“Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.”
Ecclesiastes 5:12
Some 30 years ago, dishwashing liquid soap is not as prevalent in the country as it is today. Most households use laundry bar soaps or powdered detergent to wash dishes. It is not as effective though, because unlike dishwashing liquid, laundry detergents are not made for cutting through grease, removing hardened starches, and stubborn caramelized sauces.
Like grease in dirty dishes, unhappiness in a person can be difficult to remove when we wash it with something that is not meant to eliminate stubborn impurities. The dirt of discontent and recurring sinfulness which causes sadness, can be very tough to remove when we do not have Jesus in our hearts.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6
During Christmas get-togethers, we see friends and relatives we may have not seen for a period of time. We tend to judge their lives based on what we know about them, what we see on social media, and what other people say about them. We tend to measure their happiness levels according to our own standards, and depending on how we see that gauge, we either feel sad or happy for them.
But are the people we feel sorry for, really sad about their lives? The world has set standards for human happiness that can run contrary to how the bible defines it. One of the main messages of the popular Sermon on the Mount or Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-12), is that “happy is the one who realizes his need for God and seeks Him, for he will eventually find Him, and have the Lord in his life.” If you will think about it, the same thing is promised in the bible several times — that you will find God if you earnestly seek Him.”
"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:13
People living and abiding by the Holy Spirit have this innate joy in their hearts that worldly people may not see, and will never understand. One of the explanations to this truth can be found in what Jesus said as quoted in the Gospel of John:
“If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you.” John 15:10-12
Thus let us think twice whenever we pity people whom the world feels sorry for. If a person has Christ in his or her life, her joy is complete even if he or she is:
1. A widow/er
2. A single parent
3. Orphaned or adopted
4. Cancer-stricken or has a lingering illness
5. Alone or away from family
6. Barren / Miscarried many times
7. Financially-challenged
8. Suffered failure many times and in various facets of his life
9. Has a permanent disability
10. A crime victim
11. Jailed
12. Former wayward
13. Working a blue-collar job or employed in the informal industry (sidewalk vendor, food truck seller, stall or micro business owner)
14. Not as materially or physically blessed as you (no nice car or no car at all, no big house, not much savings or none at all, not as fit, handsome or pretty as you, no lovelife, kids are not as smart, not as successful in career or business, not as popular as you in social circles).
15. Impoverished
What we do not realize is, what the world defines as happy and complete people, are those that are possibly hurting. How many times have we heard of rich, famous and successful personalities committing suicide? How many social media contacts do we have, who project an ideal life in their posts– are in reality feeling desperate, depressed and anxious? King Solomon, the writer of the Book of Ecclesiastes reminds us:
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them?” Ecclesiastes 5:10-11
While there is nothing wrong with feeling sorry for others since that means you genuinely care, do not pity others just to feel better about yourself. Do not measure their happiness and contentment with how you measure yours, especially if you do not TRULY have Christ in your life yet. Instead, focus on nurturing a personal relationship with Jesus, so that you too can have the TRUE peace, joy, and contentment that only the Lord can give. That way, you can show genuine concern and sincerity towards others this Christmas season and moving forward.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 and Matthew 5:2-12 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are there people in your life whom you misjudged as unhappy but are not really unhappy? Why did you initially see them that way?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, help me become genuinely sincere towards others so that I can truly see who needs my help and prayers. Wash my judgmental heart that project my own insecurities towards others. I want to walk closely with you my Heavenly King, and I want to be gracious and sincere towards others. Amen.