You are loved! You are loved more than you can ever know.
The Bible tells us how much we are loved. God’s Word has revealed the one, true God who loves us in word and deed.
He loves us unconditionally……
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
He loves us unwaveringly…….
Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
He loves us sacrificially……
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
We should never frustrate the love of God by living in willful sin. But, we know that He will forgive us when we call on Him in repentance. (1 John 1:9-10)
We know that it may not always feel like God loves us. But, we also know that His love is not based on feelings. God loves us because He chooses to love us.
Always remember the love God has for you. May this simple truth undergird and encourage you this day, and every day!
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place. 7 I have seen servants on horses, While princes walk on the ground like servants. 8 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent. 9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, And he who splits wood may be endangered by it. 10 If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success. 11 A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different. 12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; 13 The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness. 14 A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him? 15 The labor of fools wearies them, For they do not even know how to go to the city! 16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, And your princes feast in the morning! 17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, And your princes feast at the proper time– For strength and not for drunkenness! 18 Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks. 19 A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything. 20 Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.
Ecclesiastes 10:5-20
The inane madness of this world is seen very readily today just as it was in the days of the King. It is meaningless and insane. Once again, the preacher breaks it down for us to see in plain fashion. Here are some thoughts about the madness of life.
**Solomon begins by telling us that the fool ends up in authority. This is one example of the vanity of life on this earth. Not every leader is a fool. However, some truly are. It’s illogical, yet undeniably true.
**Though work is good and healthy, it can also be harmful in certain cases. Work doesn’t mean that all our wishes and desires will be fulfilled. Working hard does not guarantee material wealth.
**The foolish receive recognition and fame. Those who seem to be the least worthy of recognition receive fame and fortune. In our day, we have folks who are famous for nothing. They haven’t achieved anything of significance. But somehow, they end up well-known and even adored.
**At times, rulers are self-seeking and foolish. This thought should not surprise us. Solomon has made this point several times already in the book of Ecclesiastes.
**Laziness can also lead to disaster. Some give in to laziness and fail to take care of God’s blessings. The results of this folly can be devastating not just for the slothful one but also for his/her family. God has blessed us with much and we ought to take care of it.
**Finally, Solomon teaches us that our words can be used against us. I would imagine that has happened to you. To be fair, sometimes we use our words to tear down and destroy and that is wrong. At times, language intended for positive purposes may be misused, resulting in misinformation or misrepresentation.
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of Godmay be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
The Bible is the persuasive force for salvation and growth in the life of a Believer. Maturity and growth occur through the study and application of God’s Word. The Scriptures promote maturity, joy, and peace for the Christian.
The Bible isn’t just a moral guidebook; it’s a powerful tool that God uses to draw us to Himself. Through its pages, we discover the grand narrative of creation, fall, and redemption. We learn about our own sinful nature and our desperate need for a Savior. But we also encounter the incredible news of God’s love and grace, manifested in the person of Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:17 reminds us that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” It’s through Scripture that we’re persuaded of our need for salvation and led to put our trust in Christ. But the Bible’s persuasive power doesn’t stop at salvation – it continues to work in our lives, urging us towards spiritual maturity and deeper devotion to God.
7 Go, eat your bread with joy,And drink your wine with a merry heart;For God has already accepted your works.8 Let your garments always be white,And let your head lack no oil.9 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. 11 I returned and saw under the sun that– The race is not to the swift,Nor the battle to the strong,Nor bread to the wise,Nor riches to men of understanding,Nor favor to men of skill;But time and chance happen to them all. 12 For man also does not know his time:Like fish taken in a cruel net,Like birds caught in a snare,So the sons of men are snared in an evil time,When it falls suddenly upon them.13 This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me:
Ecclesiastes 9:7-13
We can have enjoyment of life through our relationship with God in Jesus our Lord. God is the source of all good things and He delights in our enjoyment of them. These verses list three specific areas of life that should be meaningful to Believers.
**Through Christ, we should enjoy life’s blessings. God provides our food, our drink, our clothing, and our vitality. Thankfulness should permeate the life of the Christian. When praying, it is common to express gratitude. When you converse, give thanks. When you get up and when you lie down, give thanks for God’s blessings.
**Through Christ, we should enjoy marriage. Marriage is a gift from God. We should be grateful and give praise for that gift.
Marriage was God’s idea. Jesus defines it as being between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:3-11). The gift of marriage should be enjoyed and be a source of blessing as long as both the husband and wife lives.
**Through Christ, we should enjoy our work. God supplies us and blesses us through our labor. It’s not always easy and fun. But, work is necessary for our wellbeing. God teaches us much through work about dealing with people and finishing tasks honorably. God uses work to build our trust in Him.
1 For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything they see before them. 2 All things come alike to all: One event happens to the righteous and the wicked;To the good, the clean, and the unclean;To him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice.As is the good, so is the sinner;He who takes an oath as he who fears an oath.3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 4 But for him who is joined to all the living there is 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 Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished;Nevermore will they have a shareIn anything done under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 9:1-6
Life “under the sun” seldom makes sense to us. It can be maddening to try and find order and meaning in the randomness of life. Life is full of monotony, but it is also replete with contradictions and paradoxes that boggle the mind.
How can these problems be addressed? Solomon gives us some help. Follow along with this week’s post and let us learn these truths about life on this planet.
The complexities of life are on full display here. The same fate seems await all when life is viewed without God. The categories that the preacher uses are stark and stunning. Consider from an earthly perspective the following……
*The same fate awaits the righteous and the wicked.
*The same fate awaits the clean and the unclean.
*The same fate awaits the religious and the irreligious.
*The same fate awaits the good and the sinner.
All will die and be forgotten. Their achievements and emotions will perish. Their rewards perish with them and lead to ultimate meaninglessness.
I’m thankful that we have purpose and meaning through Christ. Aren’t you grateful for the fact that we do not have to live this life apart from God? He calls on all to be saved (Romans 10:9-13). And His desire is relationship with you. Trust Him today!
9 All this I have seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: There is a time in which one man rules over another to his own hurt. 10 Then I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of holiness, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done. This also is vanity. 11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God. 14 There is a vanity which occurs on earth, that there are just men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. 15 So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun. 16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done on earth, even though one sees no sleep day or night, 17 then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.
Ecclesiastes 8:9-17
Our trust in God should be growing each and every day. Trust means believing even when we don’t understand. Faith means believing in the reality of things we can’t see, touch, feel, or hear. Let us end this lesson with specific reasons we need to grow in trusting God.
**We need to trust God in the midst of the brevity of life. Our lives are short, like a vapor (James 4:4). One man rules for a season and then another takes his place. Trust God and make the best of the life we are given.
**We need to trust God in the midst of life’s injustices. Life will treat us unfairly and unjustly. Some injustices we can fight.Other inequities will overcome us no matter what we do. Trust God in all of it. He will see you through.
**We need to trust God in the midst of the evil that prevails. At times justice will prevail. Yet, at other points, injustice rules in our society. When we see these verses through the prism of earthly knowledge, Solomon tells us that nothing better to do but to eat, drink, and be merry. Trusting God during these times will help us know that God will judge all things and evil-doers will not escape.
**We need to trust God even though we don’t understand God’s plan or His activities here on this earth. God has not promised to explain Himself to us. He never said He would fill us in on all the details. This is why faith is so important.
You can trust God in all things. Those who trust Christ will never be put to shame. Life is not fair and inequities abound in every sphere of life. We can trust God in the midst of it all. He will lead us, guide us, and carry us home safely.
Who are you trusting? In whom have you placed your faith? Believe in Christ. He gave all for you in order that you might have relationship with God. Repent of your sin, trust Christ to forgive you and cleanse you, and call upon His name today and be saved. You can trust Christ in everything!
But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.13 Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked?14 In the day of prosperity be joyful,But in the day of adversity consider:Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other,So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.15 I have seen everything in my days of vanity: There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness,And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness.16 Do not be overly righteous,Nor be overly wise:Why should you destroy yourself?17 Do not be overly wicked,Nor be foolish:Why should you die before your time?18It is good that you grasp this,And also not remove your hand from the other;For he who fears God will escape them all.19 Wisdom strengthens the wiseMore than ten rulers of the city.20 For there is not a just man on earth who does goodAnd does not sin.
Ecclesiastes 7:12-20
As we close out this chapter, let us see five lessons. As we examine the question, “Why do we need Godly wisdom?” We will look at three of these principles today and then peruse the others next week.
Why do we need Godly wisdom?
**We need wisdom because we all die. As was stated earlier, the rich and the poor, the foolish and the wise, the believer and the unbeliever all will perish. Are you ready to meet God?
**We need wisdom because we all sin. Solomon teaches us that there is not one person who does not sin. We all come short of God’s glory and need His mercy. Wisdom helps us to see ourselves as we truly are—sinners in need of a Savior.
**We need wisdom because people won’t always like you. People will speak evil of you and even “curse” you behind your back. We also are guilty of doing the same thing to others. Lord, give us wisdom to use our words wisely.
26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end. 27 He rescues and he saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” 28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrusthe Persian.
Daniel 6:26-28
This Scripture passage reveals six characteristics of God that are important to Believers in any age. Think upon these attributes of the Lord and be blessed, Child of God. Joy results from knowing God and His ways.
**The God of Scripture is the Living God—26
**The God of Scripture is the Powerful God—26
**The God of Scripture is the Eternal God—26
**The God of Scripture is the Saving God—27
**The God of Scripture is the Miracle Working God—27
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:7-10
Three promises from the Lord are included in this passage of Scripture:
**Strength to accomplish God’s will and purposes.
**Success to fulfill God’s plan for your life and success in remaining faithful until the end.
**Support from the Lord in every season and circumstance of life.
What wonderful promises from our Lord God Almighty.
10 Whatever one is, he has been named already,For it is known that he is man;And he cannot contend with Him who is mightier than he.11 Since there are many things that increase vanity,How is man the better?12 For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after him under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 6:10-12
The monotony of life occupied much of the author’s inspired writings. Three themes emerge in that last part of this chapter.
God knows us. He knows our situations and our circumstances. And God is under no obligation to tell us why He does what He does. The creature cannot contend with His creator.
God knows what is best for us. This premise can be difficult to grasp as we struggle in a sinful world. But, it is the truth. He knows what we need before we even ask Him (Matthew 6:8)
We do not know what is best for us. Humans honestly believe that more of the world’s riches, fame, pleasure, and authority will bring ultimate happiness in peace. We are pushed towards that end every day through our media, our entertainment, and even our own minds. But at the end of the day, we don’t know what we truly need. Thankfully, God’s Word reveals to us the nature of the need and the only one who can truly meet that need.
Let us thank God for His wisdom and grace for our daily lives.
mrtonyfrench 