“No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it. All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt.”
(Ecclesiastes 8:8-9)
There is no way for man to “retain the spirit” or to keep himself alive in the ways that are followed by man, by his own strength. These ways are “under the sun” as Solomon calls them in Ecclesiastes, and are inferior to the supernatural ways of God. Let’s contrast this with Jesus’ words to his disciples in Matthew 10:8, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.”
We see that Jesus gave authority to accomplish God’s purpose here on earth which was not possible in human ability.
Let’s thank the Lord for his amazing intervention in the course of history, not only doing what was necessary for us to have the ability to find him, but also attracting us to his goodness by giving gifts through those who would move in faith.
How are you going to use this gift today?