The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ecclesiastes 7:8-12, “The end of a matter is better than its beginning; patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.

9 Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools.

10 Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.

11 Wisdom along with an inheritance is good and an advantage to those who see the sun.

12 For wisdom is protection just as money is protection. But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.”

Solomon didn’t always live a God-honoring life. His virtue lay largely in the wisdom he expressed in his writings. Preachers don’t always live godly lives, either; however, they quite often share soul-stirring messages from their pulpits. Congregations need to be tolerant of their pastor’s sermons because they come from the Word of God; and if they are prayerfully prepared, the LORD Himself has placed them in their hearts for the people with whom the pastors share.

All of that being said, “The end of a matter is better than its beginning; patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.”

Solomon notes that “wisdom is protection just as money is protection.” Have you ever thought of that? You have, if you’ve had a wreck and discovered that you’d neglected to renew your car insurance! We have the tendency to forget things we believe have little to no importance.

Solomon concludes our thinking here when he says that “knowledge is wisdom that preserves the lives of its possessors.” Of course, that preservation derives from the wisdom that comes from God.

This current, human writer is no one to boast of wisdom. In fact, he bemoans the lack of that commodity in his own life, even as he is led to warn others of it. One has to wonder if Solomon bemoaned his own negligence, even as he warned others of their neglect.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.”

– Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Ecclesiastes 7:8-14, “The end of a matter is better than its beginning; patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.

9 Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools.

10 Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.

11 Wisdom along with an inheritance is good and an advantage to those who see the sun.

12 For wisdom is protection just as money is protection. But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.

13 Consider the work of God, for who is able to straighten what He has bent?

14 In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider– God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not discover anything that will be after him.”

For those who have difficulty with spiritual things that are listed in the Scriptures, these seven practical verses are for you.

Patience was never a commodity that resided in my life. I have always wanted everything to happen now! Yet, time never stood still while I fussed over having to wait.

Wisdom, I have come to understand, never resides within those who are impatient. Often, the patient one is rewarded, while the impatient one is not. Anger is the opposite of patience. It quite often stifles time; therefore, it behooves us to control our tempers.

Yes, there is more to be said. When I come to understand it all better myself, I will gently and thoughtfully pass it on to you. In the meantime, I would genuinely appreciate your prayers. What treasures God’s book contains!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

2 Chronicles 32:1-8, “After these acts of faithfulness Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah and besieged the fortified cities, and thought to break into them for himself.

2 Now when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come, and that he intended to make war on Jerusalem,

3 he decided with his officers and his warriors to cut off the supply of water from the springs which were outside the city, and they helped him.

4 So many people assembled and stopped up all the springs and the stream which flowed through the region, saying, ‘Why should the kings of Assyria come and find abundant water?’

5 And he took courage and rebuilt all the wall that had been broken down, and erected towers on it, and built another outside wall, and strengthened the Millo in the city of David, and made weapons and shields in great number.

6 And he appointed military officers over the people, and gathered them to him in the square at the city gate, and spoke encouragingly to them, saying,

7 ‘Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria, nor because of all the multitude which is with him; for the one with us is greater than the one with him.

8 ‘With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.’ And the people relied on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”

One of the most memorable experiences I ever had in Israel was that of wading through Hezekiah’s Tunnel. My older son, Richard, and I took off our belts, wrapped them around our necks, and started down the truly cold, waist-deep water. Who would have thought of building that, except Hezekiah, then King of Judah? His thought was: If the enemy intends to battle and win over us, we will show them a thing or two.

Thus, at King Hezekiah’s command, Israeli engineers commenced construction from the two ends, completing and meeting underground! It was a feat of monumental effort engineered by the LORD that provided water for Israel, contributing to the victory over her enemies!

There is often more than one way to overcome difficulty: it commences by following the LORD! He is no less ingenious today than He was in Hezekiah’s day. Trust Him and see!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 says, “There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen, that it is from the hand of God.”

25 “For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?”

26 “For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God’s sight. This too is vanity and striving after wind.”

King Solomon was doubtlessly endowed with some fantastic gifts from God! He was a master builder and a gifted writer, each of which was well beyond the work and wisdom of others within his time.

The first eleven verses of this second chapter are concerned with Solomon’s pleasure (2:1-11). “Is there anything of which one might say, ‘See this, it is new’? Already it has existed for ages which were before us” (Eccl. 1:10).

Known for his wisdom, Solomon considered it both “madness and folly, just as light excels darkness” (2:12-16). Yet, Solomon’s conclusion was that “it is from the hand of God, and who can have enjoyment without Him?” (2:24-26).

It’s more than likely that we both know people who are striving after the “good life” that was known to Solomon. They are so engrossed in the “goodness,” while ignoring the “life!” Most things are enjoyable once they’re undertaken. Yet, if our motives are only for enjoyment, we’re already on the wrong course. Give Solomon’s focus your own. You just might be surprised!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

1 Samuel 18:5-9, “So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

6 And it happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments.

7 And the women sang as they played, and said, ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.’

8 Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, ‘They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?’

9 And Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.”

It’s hard sometimes to see some people prosper and receive great applause while others (others meaning you) are pushed to the rear and discounted altogether!

Every orchestra has multiple instruments. Those who occupy the “first chair” in each section are the ones who demonstrate superiority in playing a particular instrument. At the conclusion of a selected musical number, the director often calls upon those who played solos to stand in recognition of their exceptional performance.

There were vast musical expressions in King Saul’s day; however, it was young David who demonstrated exceptional bravery; Saul was not even present for the battle! Yet, when Israel returned victoriously, the greater praise went to David instead of to Saul. This weighed quite heavily upon Saul. He was jealous beyond belief!

We need to be careful here. None of us possesses talent superior to others. Some time ago, I attended a local orchestral concert. Two musicians were featured with the orchestra. When the piece was completed and the applause had died down, one of the two featured musicians humbly sneaked into the second violin section to play with them in yet another featured number. It was indeed an act of humility.

Saul could have learned a good lesson from that violinist! So can we! Don’t look to be noted; just look to see where you can help. Your applause will come later, much later!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom