Here is a list of verses that I pulled today that bring me encouragement and will hopefully do the same for you!
Psalm 34:19 – Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Psalm 46:1-3, 7 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Psalm 55:22 – Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 61:2-4 – From the end of the earth I will cry to you, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.
Psalm 62:6 – He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved.
Proverbs 18:10 – The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
Isaiah 40:31 – But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 41:10 – Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 43:2 – When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.
Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Nahum 1:7 – The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in Him
Matthew 21:21 – And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.”
Matthew 28:20 b – And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 14:16-17 – And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 15:5 – I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
John 16:33 – These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.
Romans 5: 1-5 -- Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us
Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:31 – When then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:38-39 – And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 12:12 – Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 – For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Ephesians 2:8 – For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
Ephesians 3:20-21 – Now all glory to God, who is able, through His might power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:19 – And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:7 – For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
2 Timothy 2:22 – So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Hebrews 2:18 – For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
James 1:2-4 – Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
1 Peter 1:3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he was caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
1 Peter 5:7 – casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
1 John 5:14-15 – And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Beware of False Teachers
Very interesting blog by John MacArthur about Rob Bell and his teaching. We need to constantly keep our guard up to false teachers and remember that the Bible should not be distorted in ways that change the basic meanings of the Gospel.
http://www.gty.org/Blog/B110418
http://www.gty.org/Blog/B110418
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Happy Palm Sunday!
Let us remember what our Savior went through during this last week of His life on earth before his resurrection!
Luke 19: 28-40 -- 28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, "Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: 'The Lord has need of it.'" 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34 And they said, "The Lord has need of it." 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near--already on the way down the Mount of Olives--the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." 40 He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out."
Luke 19: 28-40 -- 28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, "Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: 'The Lord has need of it.'" 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34 And they said, "The Lord has need of it." 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near--already on the way down the Mount of Olives--the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." 40 He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out."
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Tulip Love
Spring is here finally!!! Ever since I was a little girl I have wanted to have a home and have tulips growing in front of my house. My Mommom always has had dozens of tulips growing outside her home and I fell in love with them at an early age. This year is the first year this dream has come true and I am loving coming home and seeing a few tulips standing tall and proud and beautiful. There are only a few of them because are yard is small, but those few have fulfilled my childhood dream!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Life is worth living!
Ecclesiastes 11 and 12 - My key verse in this section is Eccl. 11:8 - "So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity." We need to rejoice in every day we are given - and remember that there will be many dark days while we are on this earth - but there is a better place we are headed if Jesus is our guide.
Is life worth living? That was Solomon's question when he began and he said no, giving four arguments: the monotony of life, the vanity of wisdom, the futility of wealth, and the certainty of death. Being wise, he reviewed these arguments and this time brough God into the picture. This makes all the difference. He realized life was not monotonous but filled with challenging situations from God, each in its own time and each for its own purpose. Also learned wealth could be enjoyed and employed to the glory of God. Though man's wisdom couldn't explain everything, Solomon concluded it was better to follow God's wisdom than to practice man's folly. No escpae from death, and it ought to motivate us to enjoy life now and make the most of the opportunities God gives us. Now, Solomon is ready for his conclusion and personal application. He presents four pictures of life and attaches to each picture a practical admonition to heed.
(1) Life is an adventure - Live by faith (11:1-6) - Solomon uses two activities to illustrate his point here - the merchant sending out his ships and the farmer sowing his seed. In both of these activities a great deal of faith is required because neither can control the circumstances - both have a risk. Man is ignorant of the future, but he must not allow his ignorance to make him so fearful that he becomes either careless or paralyzed. Verse 4 points out that we can't just sit around waiting for ideal circumstances to happen. We must use each day wisely and sometimes leap out in faith.
(2) Life is a gift - Enjoy it (11:7-12:8) - We must rejoice in life (vs. 7-9). We must remove vexation from our lives (inner pain, anxiety) (vs. 10). We must remember - paying attention to consider life with the intention of obeying (12:1-8). Solomon describes different pictures of death in this section with a picture of a house falling apart and turning to dust, a lamp chain breaking, and a pitcher shattering. He is pointing out that we know that death is inevitable and we must enjoy and rejoice with every day we are given to live.
(3) Life is a school - Learn your lessons (12:9-12) - We must be wise and orderly in learning and studying God's word. In verse 12 he gives a warning that we should not go beyond what God has written in His word and to not allow man's books to rob us of God's wisdom. So much of the world can mold our minds and change our beliefs if we allow them to. There are no many in academia and in the philosophical and political realms that can morph our thoughts and change the way we believe. We must be solid in our faith and stay true to what God's word teaches us and not allow what others say to distort those true beliefs.
(4) Life is a stewardship - Fear God (12:13-14) - Fear is an attitude of reverance and awe that His people show Him because they love Him and respect His power and His greatness. The fear of the Lord must result in obedient living, otherwise the "fear" is only a sham. If we are not truly in awe and revere Him we will not obey Him. Our fruits of obedience will demonstrate our fear of the Lord.
All in all, Solomon has shown us that life is truly worth living - even through all the hardships that occur. God's wisdom helps us through life when we allow it. We need to focus on enjoying what we have here while we are here - and focus on the eternity of greatness that is waiting for us!
Ecclesiastes 11 (ESV) 1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth. 3 If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. 4 He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. 5 As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. 6 In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. 7 Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. 8 So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity. 9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. 10 Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
Ecclesiastes 12 (ESV) 1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, "I have no pleasure in them"; 2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, 3 in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, 4 and the doors on the street are shut--when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low-- 5 they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets-- 6 before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, 7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. 8 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.
9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Is life worth living? That was Solomon's question when he began and he said no, giving four arguments: the monotony of life, the vanity of wisdom, the futility of wealth, and the certainty of death. Being wise, he reviewed these arguments and this time brough God into the picture. This makes all the difference. He realized life was not monotonous but filled with challenging situations from God, each in its own time and each for its own purpose. Also learned wealth could be enjoyed and employed to the glory of God. Though man's wisdom couldn't explain everything, Solomon concluded it was better to follow God's wisdom than to practice man's folly. No escpae from death, and it ought to motivate us to enjoy life now and make the most of the opportunities God gives us. Now, Solomon is ready for his conclusion and personal application. He presents four pictures of life and attaches to each picture a practical admonition to heed.
(1) Life is an adventure - Live by faith (11:1-6) - Solomon uses two activities to illustrate his point here - the merchant sending out his ships and the farmer sowing his seed. In both of these activities a great deal of faith is required because neither can control the circumstances - both have a risk. Man is ignorant of the future, but he must not allow his ignorance to make him so fearful that he becomes either careless or paralyzed. Verse 4 points out that we can't just sit around waiting for ideal circumstances to happen. We must use each day wisely and sometimes leap out in faith.
(2) Life is a gift - Enjoy it (11:7-12:8) - We must rejoice in life (vs. 7-9). We must remove vexation from our lives (inner pain, anxiety) (vs. 10). We must remember - paying attention to consider life with the intention of obeying (12:1-8). Solomon describes different pictures of death in this section with a picture of a house falling apart and turning to dust, a lamp chain breaking, and a pitcher shattering. He is pointing out that we know that death is inevitable and we must enjoy and rejoice with every day we are given to live.
(3) Life is a school - Learn your lessons (12:9-12) - We must be wise and orderly in learning and studying God's word. In verse 12 he gives a warning that we should not go beyond what God has written in His word and to not allow man's books to rob us of God's wisdom. So much of the world can mold our minds and change our beliefs if we allow them to. There are no many in academia and in the philosophical and political realms that can morph our thoughts and change the way we believe. We must be solid in our faith and stay true to what God's word teaches us and not allow what others say to distort those true beliefs.
(4) Life is a stewardship - Fear God (12:13-14) - Fear is an attitude of reverance and awe that His people show Him because they love Him and respect His power and His greatness. The fear of the Lord must result in obedient living, otherwise the "fear" is only a sham. If we are not truly in awe and revere Him we will not obey Him. Our fruits of obedience will demonstrate our fear of the Lord.
All in all, Solomon has shown us that life is truly worth living - even through all the hardships that occur. God's wisdom helps us through life when we allow it. We need to focus on enjoying what we have here while we are here - and focus on the eternity of greatness that is waiting for us!
Ecclesiastes 11 (ESV) 1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth. 3 If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. 4 He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. 5 As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. 6 In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. 7 Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. 8 So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity. 9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. 10 Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
Ecclesiastes 12 (ESV) 1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, "I have no pleasure in them"; 2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, 3 in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, 4 and the doors on the street are shut--when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low-- 5 they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets-- 6 before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, 7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. 8 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.
9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Life and Death
Ecclesiastes 9 - Solomon makes two major points about life and death in this chapter.
(1) Death is unavoidable (vs. 1-10) He points out three different responses that people may make to the fear of death. People may try to escape death (vs. 3). People will do almost anything but repent in order to escape the reality of death. The problem is that you don't get confidence by trying to run away from the reality of death - you get it by facing "the last enemy" honestly, turning from sing and trusting Jesus to save you. Death is not scary when you know where you are going when you die and are secure in your destination. People may also try to endure death (vs. 4-6). People hope for the best, and just go along with it, without any real hope or belief. All Solomon is asking here is that we have some common sense along with our hope that things will be okay, otherwise we could be grasping a false hope. The only true hope is in Jesus and when we put our hope in anything else, we will be putting our life in a false realization. The last option Solomon posits regarding death is that people can face it with enjoyment (vs. 7-10). Yes, death is coming - for everyone - but God gives us good gifts to enjoy while we are here are earth and we should enjoy them. God does not want us to just sit on earth waiting for death to happen - He gives us life experiences to enjoy and to take pleasure in while we are here.
(2) Life is unpredictable (vs. 11-18) - Our abilities are no guarantee of success (vs. 11-12). Even some of the most gifted people can fail because of factors out of control. Just think of Pia getting eliminated from American Idol this week. Many people thought she could win the whole competition, but because of factors out of her control (the public voting), she is not going to have the success of winning the competition no matter how talented she might have been. Also, our opportunities are no guarantee of success (vs. 13-18). Just because many more people have the opportunity to go to college or grad school now does not guarantee them a good job when they graduate because of our present economy. The economy is a factor out of our control - we can't do anything about it. It is unpredictable at times and those of use who have studied in school for years have no guarantee of a job even though we have been given these great opportunities of schooling.
Solomon is trying to point out that both life and death are out of our control. Death comes when it comes and life is completely unpredictable most of the time. We have no control. All we can control is how we react to sitauttions and if we are ready to face death when it comes.
Ecclesiastes 9 (ESV) - 1 But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him. 2 It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath. 3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 4 But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.
7 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. 8 Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. 9 Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might,for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
11 Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. 12 For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them. 13 I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. 14 There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. 15 But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16 But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. 17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
(1) Death is unavoidable (vs. 1-10) He points out three different responses that people may make to the fear of death. People may try to escape death (vs. 3). People will do almost anything but repent in order to escape the reality of death. The problem is that you don't get confidence by trying to run away from the reality of death - you get it by facing "the last enemy" honestly, turning from sing and trusting Jesus to save you. Death is not scary when you know where you are going when you die and are secure in your destination. People may also try to endure death (vs. 4-6). People hope for the best, and just go along with it, without any real hope or belief. All Solomon is asking here is that we have some common sense along with our hope that things will be okay, otherwise we could be grasping a false hope. The only true hope is in Jesus and when we put our hope in anything else, we will be putting our life in a false realization. The last option Solomon posits regarding death is that people can face it with enjoyment (vs. 7-10). Yes, death is coming - for everyone - but God gives us good gifts to enjoy while we are here are earth and we should enjoy them. God does not want us to just sit on earth waiting for death to happen - He gives us life experiences to enjoy and to take pleasure in while we are here.
(2) Life is unpredictable (vs. 11-18) - Our abilities are no guarantee of success (vs. 11-12). Even some of the most gifted people can fail because of factors out of control. Just think of Pia getting eliminated from American Idol this week. Many people thought she could win the whole competition, but because of factors out of her control (the public voting), she is not going to have the success of winning the competition no matter how talented she might have been. Also, our opportunities are no guarantee of success (vs. 13-18). Just because many more people have the opportunity to go to college or grad school now does not guarantee them a good job when they graduate because of our present economy. The economy is a factor out of our control - we can't do anything about it. It is unpredictable at times and those of use who have studied in school for years have no guarantee of a job even though we have been given these great opportunities of schooling.
Solomon is trying to point out that both life and death are out of our control. Death comes when it comes and life is completely unpredictable most of the time. We have no control. All we can control is how we react to sitauttions and if we are ready to face death when it comes.
Ecclesiastes 9 (ESV) - 1 But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him. 2 It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath. 3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 4 But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.
7 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. 8 Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. 9 Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might,for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
11 Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. 12 For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them. 13 I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. 14 There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. 15 But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16 But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. 17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
Suffering...
Ecclesiastes 8 - If we believe in a good and loving God, we must face the difficult question of why there is so much suffering in the world. Solomon solved the problem of evil by affirming these factors and seeing them in their proper perspective.
(1) Authority (vs. 1-9) - In these verses Solomon gives us the picture of what our options our when we are under an evil king who wants us to follow his orders. He gives four different options to us. We can disobey (vs. 2). Solomon says we should follow the king's orders because to disobey would break a promise to the ruler and to God. The king's word would have more power than the word of his servant and was bound to prevail. We could obey to avoid punishment. But what if the servant truly cannot obey what the order is - We could desert (vs. 3a). We could use defiance (vs. 3b) because our obligation is to obey God and not to obey man. We could use discernment (vs. 5b-6). Wisdom helps us understand people and situations and to figure out the right thing to do at the right time. It truly is all about using God's wisdom and discernment to decide what to do in particular situations. There are many examples in the Bible of people who used God's wisdom to discern what to do in situations. Esther did not tell the king that she was a Jew until she was in a position to help her people. Rahab lied about hiding God's spies. When we allow God to use us, it glorifies Him. That should be our total desire - bringing glory to God and not to man and we need to rely on God's wisdom to help us know what to do to glorify Him in every situation.
(2) Inequity (vs. 10-14) - The key is verse 14 that points out that the righteous men on earth may get what the wicked deserve and the wicked get what hte righteous deserve. But verses 12-13 point out that the wicked will eventually be judged and the righteous will be rewarded. We need to keep this in our mind continually because it is so easy to compare ourselves on this earth and only think of life in the earthly perspective becaues this is what we know and what we see. We need to keep eternity in mind at all times.
(3) Mystery (vs. 15-17) - God doesn't expect us to know the unknowable, but He does expect us to learn all we can and obey what He teaches us. God expects us to continually study and learn more about Him and His word. We shouldn't stop if we think we know enough because we've been in Sunday School or Bible School for most of our lives and we know the basic stories. We need to continually keep learning and obeying Him because even if we study for the rest of our lives we will never know everything there is to know. But by continuing to study we are striving to become more and more like Him. And the more we know, the better able we are to obey and glorify Him - and isn't that our goal in life.
Ecclesiastes 8 (ESV) 1 Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed. 2 I say: Keep the king's command, because of God's oath to him. 3 Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, "What are you doing?" 5 Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. 6 For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him. 7 For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? 8 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. 9 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.
10 Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in and out of the holy place and were praised in the city where they had done such things. This also is vanity. 11 Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. 12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.
14 There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. 15 And I commend joy, for man has no good thing under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun. 16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one's eyes see sleep, 17 then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.
(1) Authority (vs. 1-9) - In these verses Solomon gives us the picture of what our options our when we are under an evil king who wants us to follow his orders. He gives four different options to us. We can disobey (vs. 2). Solomon says we should follow the king's orders because to disobey would break a promise to the ruler and to God. The king's word would have more power than the word of his servant and was bound to prevail. We could obey to avoid punishment. But what if the servant truly cannot obey what the order is - We could desert (vs. 3a). We could use defiance (vs. 3b) because our obligation is to obey God and not to obey man. We could use discernment (vs. 5b-6). Wisdom helps us understand people and situations and to figure out the right thing to do at the right time. It truly is all about using God's wisdom and discernment to decide what to do in particular situations. There are many examples in the Bible of people who used God's wisdom to discern what to do in situations. Esther did not tell the king that she was a Jew until she was in a position to help her people. Rahab lied about hiding God's spies. When we allow God to use us, it glorifies Him. That should be our total desire - bringing glory to God and not to man and we need to rely on God's wisdom to help us know what to do to glorify Him in every situation.
(2) Inequity (vs. 10-14) - The key is verse 14 that points out that the righteous men on earth may get what the wicked deserve and the wicked get what hte righteous deserve. But verses 12-13 point out that the wicked will eventually be judged and the righteous will be rewarded. We need to keep this in our mind continually because it is so easy to compare ourselves on this earth and only think of life in the earthly perspective becaues this is what we know and what we see. We need to keep eternity in mind at all times.
(3) Mystery (vs. 15-17) - God doesn't expect us to know the unknowable, but He does expect us to learn all we can and obey what He teaches us. God expects us to continually study and learn more about Him and His word. We shouldn't stop if we think we know enough because we've been in Sunday School or Bible School for most of our lives and we know the basic stories. We need to continually keep learning and obeying Him because even if we study for the rest of our lives we will never know everything there is to know. But by continuing to study we are striving to become more and more like Him. And the more we know, the better able we are to obey and glorify Him - and isn't that our goal in life.
Ecclesiastes 8 (ESV) 1 Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed. 2 I say: Keep the king's command, because of God's oath to him. 3 Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, "What are you doing?" 5 Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. 6 For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him. 7 For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? 8 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. 9 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.
10 Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in and out of the holy place and were praised in the city where they had done such things. This also is vanity. 11 Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. 12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.
14 There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. 15 And I commend joy, for man has no good thing under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun. 16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one's eyes see sleep, 17 then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.
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