Unless you are different than the rest of the world, you suffer at times, from an almost universal malady.  That malady is taking life too seriously.  It has become a grand delusion to some.  An example is the student who thinks that their world is hinged upon the next exam they take, or paper they write.  There are parents who believe that their ultimate fulfillment is found in their children.  There is the artist or musician who are obsessed with seeking to achieve perfection with their technique.  There are business people who think that the next promotion or the huge bonus will be the key to “lasting treasures.”  To these people (it may be you) I encourage that you find a biblical view of things.  That is why in the next months (with a break for Thanksgiving & Christmas) we will be considering the clear perspective that we find in the book of Ecclesiastes.  For today, take a look at the 1st chapter to begin to get a flavor of the passage.  This week, try to read through the book once and chapter one 4 or 5 times to help with you understanding of Solomon’s perspective.

The book of Ecclesiastes has been referred to in many different ways in literature.  Our own, Herman Melville described it in Moby Dick as “the truest of all books.  It is the fine hammered steel of woe.”  Thomas Wolfe stated that “Ecclesiastes seems to be the noblest, wisest and the most powerful expression of man’s life upon earth.  Ecclesiastes is the greatest single piece of writing I have ever known and the wisdom expressed in it the most lasting and profound.”  As you continue to read through this book, I encourage you to jot down some questions that come to your mind as you wander through with King Solomon.  It is unlike any other book.  More on that tomorrow.  Take another tour of chapter one.  Continue to meditate on what brings satisfaction.  It is not true as Mick Jagger sings, “that you can’t get no satisfaction”.

Ecclesiastes 1 - In one of the first scenes in The Lion King, the king of beasts teaches his son that a good king must show respect for every creature, from the ant to the antelope. His son inquires, “But, Dad, don’t we eat the antelope?” His father replies, “Yes, but let me explain. When we die, our bodies become the grass. And the antelope eat the grass. And so we are all connected in the great Circle of Life.” Is this New Age philosophy? …Certainly. But the author of Ecclesiastes would likely have dismissed this 20th-century thought as “nothing new” and “meaningless.” Today’s reading takes us through the Teacher’s summary observations and conclusions, and he doesn’t seem to think the so-called “circle of life” is such a great thing. He categorizes the cycles of the earth as “utterly meaningless” (v. 2) and “wearisome” (v. 8). Take particular note of the description in verse 6, as the phrase “chasing after the wind” is repeated often throughout the book. Ecclesiastes paints the picture of life as a frustrating, circuitous course that ends right where it begins.

The rhetorical question about the profit of a man’s labor (v. 3) and the hopeless conclusion about man being remembered after his lifetime (v. 11) bring a sobering revelation when applied to the events that followed Solomon’s life. His projects were astounding and his rule was the greatest Israel ever knew. But after his death, Solomon’s legacy became almost immediately irrelevant when his son, Rehoboam, rejected his father’s advisors in favor of the counsel of his younger friends (1 Kings 12:8).

This is a good place to remind ourselves that our purpose in studying Ecclesiastes is not to judge the life of Solomon–we want to turn the light of God’s Word onto our lives and into our hearts!

“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight.” So begins the prophecy about the great lion in the book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C. S. Lewis. When the children in the story entered Narnia, they discovered a land ruled by the White Witch, where it was always winter and never Christmas. But the mere mention of the name Aslan stirred the hope that the witch’s spell would be broken. The children cried, “ 'Oh, yes! Tell us about Aslan!’ . . . for once again that strange feeling–like the first signs of spring, like good news, had come over them.”

Let’s look at Luke 3:1-18 today.  The preaching of John the Baptist excited similar feelings. Verses 1–2 in today’s reading list the ruling powers of the day, and it reads like a Who’s Who of the chief players in Christ’s trial and crucifixion. The sordid history of Israel between Solomon’s reign and the rulers in today’s passage bears evidence that the hopeless cycle described in Ecclesiastes 1 had gone unbroken for centuries. Remember Ecclesiastes 1:15: “What is twisted cannot be straightened.”

John the Baptist made it clear in verse 5 of today’s reading that things were about to change and that the words of Isaiah 40:3–5 would be fulfilled. And in the same fashion as his Old Testament predecessors, John preached repentance to avoid the “coming wrath” (v. 7).

In his explanation of what the fruit of repentance should be, John’s words shed light on the message of Ecclesiastes. He advised his listeners to live with other people’s interests in mind. Those that are able should give to those in need (v. 11), and those in power should stop abusing that power at the expense of others (vv. 12–14). Instead of analyzing what one man gains from his labor, John called attention to what one man is willing to give up.
John’s teaching showed a different perspective from that of Ecclesiastes. Does your life show the others-focused mentality of which he spoke?

Today, make it your mission to meet the needs of those around you. The message of Ecclesiastes holds true: a life spent trying to please oneself will never bear eternal, meaningful fruit. Let John’s words be the announcement of the coming of Christ into your decision-making today. Self-centeredness is the sign of twisted priorities–let Him make the paths of your heart straight!

October 15

Estimates of Bill Gates’ net worth range upwards of $30 billion, his house has about one and a half acres of total living space, and he continues to work feverishly to improve his business–Microsoft dedicated $6.8 billion this fiscal year alone for research and development. Who can imagine being so wealthy, let alone the prospect of getting richer! If we were to compare any of our lives to Bill Gates’ life, we probably wouldn’t expect to find much in common.                                                                                                                                                                        

And that can be our reaction when we read today’s passage as well. It’s easy to imagine the life of a king as some distant, fantastic dreamland that bears no resemblance to our own. But a closer look at this passage reveals a striking similarity to the life of a typical, everyday person . . . just carried out to an extreme degree.                                                                                                                                                         

Verses 1–3 summarize the search for the good in life through selfish measures, and verses 4–8 show the details of the three main categories of the search: projects, possessions, and pleasures.                                                                                                                                

The projects described here don’t seem to resemble an ongoing job or trade as much as leisure projects. The house-building, tree-planting, and reservoir-constructing in Ecclesiastes might correspond to a new shed, some tomatoes, and a sprinkler system in your backyard--on a grander scale than we’re used to, certainly, but the intended result of personal enjoyment is the same.                                                                                    

Although we can’t identify with the amount (or even the nature) of possessions listed in verses 7–8, everyone at one time or another has bought something with the hope that it would make life a bit more enjoyable.                                                                                                            

Something to think about….. Can you say, as verse 9 does, that your wisdom has stayed with you through it all? It’s far too easy to use up our leisure time without thinking seriously about what we’re doing.

October 16

The reading: Chapter 2 -

Sixteen people working at an elementary school in Holdingford, Minnesota; fifteen lunch ladies and one custodian; hit the jackpot with a winning lottery ticket, collecting about $2 million each. Only two of them retired. Serving food to little children, and cleaning up after them, may not be the most glamorous work, but these women love what they do too much to quit. One of them said that the main drawback of winning the money was that “you get more headaches.”

Imagine that–they love being surrounded all day by hundreds of kids, but millions of dollars make their heads hurt!

Solomon could have appreciated that attitude. He says in verse 10 of today’s reading that the main reward of his labor, even more than the vast luxury his work produced, was the delight he got from working. He essentially repeats that sentiment in verse 24, noting that such happiness comes from God. But the rest of this passage reveals the far less optimistic conclusion that, in the end, there is no lasting earthly reward for all man’s labor (v. 11).

This view, though, produced more than a headache. He sees that although a wise man is better than a fool, death awaits them both (vv. 12–16). He then calls attention to the end result of great accomplishments, that a man must pass on his work to a successor with no assurance of its continuation (vv. 18–21). This seems like a fitting attitude for someone who knew his kingdom would be stripped from his son (1 Kings 11:11–12). Solomon, it seems, finds no lasting reward for a life of painful, restless labor (vv. 22–23). Verse 17 stands out as a particularly harsh conclusion. What more could one man ask for than the life Solomon had enjoyed? If he “hated life,” what does that say about the worth of earthly pleasures?

Are you satisfied? If not, ask God to adjust your attitude and obedience. In verse 24, the phrase is “find satisfaction in his work,” not “find satisfying work.”

Oct 17

The reading for today - I Cor 15

For just under $200,000, an Arizona foundation will arrange for a person’s remains to be preserved by cryonics, a chemically treated freezing process, immediately after death. The funds are also designated to pay for the revitalizing procedure, which will commence as soon as three scientific advances have been discovered: a cure for whatever caused the person’s death, a way to stop the aging process for all mankind, and an antidote for the poison used to preserve the body.

The company has only been in operation since 1972, but had the procedure been available in Paul’s day, he probably wouldn’t have wasted his money. Since the sting of death is sin and the power of death is the law (v. 56), Paul knew that no scientist could ever produce the remedy for either.   Throughout chapter 15, Paul discusses the reality of the resurrection of Christ and, through Him, the assurance of the resurrection of all who believe in His name. Today’s reading delivers the powerful conclusion to his argument in this chapter. Quoting the prophet Hosea, Paul pronounces death powerless (v. 55).                                                        

From what we’ve studied so far in Ecclesiastes, death has been shown as the great equalizer that conquers all men, rendering their labor on earth meaningless. But Paul claims triumphantly in verse 57 that through Jesus Christ, God gives us victory over death. We see in verse 58 that the promise of escaping death should dramatically alter our approach to life.                                                                                                                                       

The assurance of life after death shouldn’t just make us feel better, it should make us live better, too! But when Paul talks about giving ourselves to “the work of the Lord,” what exactly does he mean? Paul used a similar phrase earlier when discussing his work as an apostle. He said to the believers in Corinth, “Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?” (9:1). Throughout chapter 9, he makes it clear that his main task was simply to preach the gospel.                                                                            
Even if you have a job that isn’t directly related to preaching the gospel, you can still give yourself “fully to the work of the Lord.” Paul did!

October 18 

As you once again read chapter 2, I would like you to think about three questions: 
1- Are you happy?
2- What is it that will make you happy?  
3- When will you finally be happy?

 Every single one of us has something or someone that we anticipated would make us happy. We assumed once we achieved, once we experienced, once we accomplished, once we acquired this one thing we would then be a satisfied, joyous and finally a happy people.

Fill in the blank: I’ll be happy when _______.                                                                                                                                                 

 Blaise Pascal wrote, "All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. They will never take the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves."                                                                  
I think that Pascal is right. And, with Pascal, we believe God purposefully designed us to pursue happiness.             Does seeking your own happiness sound self-centered? Aren't Christians supposed to seek God, not their own pleasure? To answer this question we need to understand a crucial truth about pleasure-seeking (hedonism): we value most what we delight in most. Pleasure is not God's competitor, idols are. Pleasure is simply a gauge that measures how valuable someone or something is to us. Pleasure is the measure of our treasure.                                                 
Here is where your focus needs to be… I’ll be happy and satisfied when…I find my satisfaction in God.

Have a great day in the Lord!

October 26

Ecclesiastes 3:12-22

I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him (Ecclesiastes 3:14).   

     How different this picture of life under the sovereign lordship of a living God is from what most people think God is like! A popular book for Christians on the topic of sex explains the truth that God has designed sex for pleasure. But it is not merely sex that is designed for pleasure; all things are designed for human pleasure. If you think a certain thing in and of itself is going to produce lasting pleasure, however, you will miss it. The secret is that it is the knowledge of God in that relationship that produces enjoyment. We are not in the grasp of the "Great Cosmic Joy Killer," as many people seem to view God. God delights in human enjoyment.

     Solomon says that all enjoyment must be discovered by realizing that God is in charge, & He will not bend His plan for anyone. God has sovereignly, independently, set up the plan of life in a way with which we cannot interfere. He has done so in order that people should revere Him.

All through the Bible we read, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10). Until a person recognizes and trusts the superior wisdom of God, he or she has not begun to fear God. This fear is not a feeling of terror of God; it is respect & honor for Him. If you attempt to live your life without the recognition of God, ultimately you will find yourself, as Solomon found himself; empty, dissatisfied, & restless, feeling that life is miserable & meaningless. The secret of life is the presence of God Himself.

     Most of the struggle of life comes from our wanting to play God ourselves, wanting to be in charge of what happens to us. That’s true even of Christians. When God refuses to go along, we sulk, pout & get angry with Him. We throw away our faith and say, "What's the use? I tried it, but it doesn't work." What a foolish statement! God will not surrender His prerogatives. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken away from it--God has made it so in order that men should revere him.

     Try this prayer out today, “Lord, forgive me for thinking I know what is best for those I love & me. Teach me to trust in Your work, because I know that nothing can be added to it.”

Oct 29

            F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, serves as a modern-day Ecclesiastes. Jay Gatsby epitomized the reckless extravagance of the Roaring Twenties as well as the hollow dreams that left America as a whole unsatisfied. He amassed enormous wealth to impress another man’s wife–and he never really experienced genuine love, only affectionate greed. As Fitzgerald assessed, “No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man will store up in his ghostly heart.”

In the book, Gatsby died alone, but sadly he’s not alone in his pursuits. At the outset of today’s reading, the Teacher bemoans the evil oppression that pervades this world and the suffering it causes (vv. 1–3). Look at the extreme terms used to describe the hopelessness of the situation! Verse 4 gets at the reason behind the sad state of affairs–greed. Notice that it’s not just personal desire, either. It’s a matter of wanting what someone else has. At its extreme, greed causes oppression. At the very least, though, it results in meaningless labor (v. 6).
            The image of the hands in verses 5–6 provides a gripping mental picture. To fold our hands and rest would be laziness, to grab everything within our reach would be greedy, but to take only what we need without seeking something more brings peace and satisfaction.
            Verses 7–8 point to a good test of satisfaction–is there anyone to enjoy life with? A life of envying one’s neighbor only promotes alienation and loneliness. The questions that the man asks are remarkably probing. For whom am I doing all this (v. 8)? “Myself,” would be quite an empty answer, and the Teacher can find no good motivation for such an existence.
            Reread this passage.  It shows how our outlook on life involves more than just ourselves.  This seems as good a time as any to search out your life for any signs of greed. Does the statement in verse 4 apply to any part of your life? Try asking yourself the question in verse 8: “For whom am I toiling?” Make a concerted effort today to turn the focus of your attitude outward–work to serve others and share the love of Christ!

Ecclesiastes 4:4-8

            Competition is a trademark of American life. We’re taught at an early age that being the best is what it’s all about. But competition can cut both ways, sometimes with deadly results.

            We saw that shocking lesson several years ago when a mother in Houston arranged for the murder of another woman—the mother of her daughter’s chief competitor in a cheerleading competition. The woman’s reasoning was chillingly simple: her daughter would have a better chance to win the competition if her rival was too distraught over her mother’s death to perform well.
            We can be grateful that incidents such as that one are relatively rare. But we should ask ourselves—how can the so-called competitive spirit become so corrupted? Today’s text suggests a reason and a solution.
            In verse 4 Solomon gives us another word for what we often call competition: envy. Much of what goes on “under the sun” (see 1:3) is driven by an inordinate desire to outdo the other guy.
            The competitive urge is so ingrained in most of us that our immediate reaction is to say, “So what does Solomon expect us to do? Fold our hands and quit?”
            Verse 5 answers that question. What Solomon is decrying is the extreme case in which envy drives a person to work until he ruins his health and his enjoyment of life, all for no good reason (vv. 7-8). That kind of madness makes life seem empty and meaningless.
            The cure for envy is not sloth (which we will study later this month). The picture of the lazy fool in verse 5 is graphic. Literally, he “eats his own flesh.” He destroys himself, wasting away because he won’t work.
            Here’s something for you to think about….“Didn’t Paul tell us to run to win, go for the prize, and all of that?”

Nov 1

Ecclesiastes 4:4-12

Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. - Ecclesiastes 4:6

            The late British Bible teacher G. Campbell Morgan gave this powerful description of what a lust for money does to a person: “It dries up the springs of compassion in the soul. It lowers the whole standard of morality. It is the inspiration of all the basest things, even covetousness. . . . Avarice is often created by prosperity and the consequent possession of money. It is also often powerfully present in the lives of those who are devoid of wealth. It is wholly material, the result of a wrong conception of life.”
            That’s quite a list of evils. Solomon had seen enough of life to agree that there are some wrong and futile motives for working hard and trying to be successful. He explained two of them here, and then offered an antidote. We need to learn what Solomon learned from experience and wise observation.
            The first wrong motive is envy. Verse 4 is true from the sinful world’s standpoint--exactly the perspective from which Solomon wrote, as the term “under the sun” indicates.
            But the answer to the driving force of envy is not foolish laziness, which also brings a person to ruin (v. 5). The cure is contentment, being willing to settle for less materially if it means we can have some “rest” or “quietness,” good alternate translations for tranquility.
            The next evil motive is greed (vv. 7-8), illustrated by the person who is driven to always get more even though he has no one to share it with and will someday leave it all to nobody.
            At least this hypothetical overachiever finally woke up and realized he was beating his head against the wall and missing out on life because he was all alone in his world. One way to conquer greed is by refusing to live our lives in isolation from other people. Connection and meaningful relationships with other people help overcome both loneliness and greed.
            No matter where you work or what you do for a living, we hope you have some godly friends who form a “cord of three strands [that] is not quickly broken” (v. 12).

Ecclesiastes 4:9-16
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. - Ecclesiastes 4:9

            During the reign of Nicholas II, the last czar of Russia, Vladimir Lenin was arrested multiple times for his radical conduct, but he emerged as a powerful new leader after the October Revolution. After Lenin died, Joseph Stalin, son of a shoemaker, took the Soviet helm. All three rulers had one thing in common–their popularity waned completely by the end of their lives, but their spirit of tyranny lived on. It was out of that state of oppression that renowned author Alexander Solzhenitsyn fled the KGB. His friend, the famous musician Mstislav Rostropovich, risked his career and life to give Solzhenitsyn asylum, where he was able to continue writing in peace for years.

            The second half of today’s reading takes us through a power-shifting scenario much like the one Russia endured, and it shows us just how fleeting public support of a leader can be. The old ruler can succumb to stubborn foolishness (v. 13), to the point where he can be overthrown by an imprisoned foe or succeeded by a poor commoner from his own land (v. 14). The masses may be swayed by the hope a new leader brings (v. 15), but before long the newness wears off and the ruler’s approval rating plummets (v. 16).
            Verses 9–12 show that the fleeting approval of many is far inferior to the loyalty of one friend. When two join together, their work is more efficient (v. 9), they can rescue each other from downfall (v. 10), and they can keep each other safe and warm (vv. 11, 12). The history of Russia illustrates the point here–Solzhenitsyn gained more from the love of one friend than any Russian ruler ever received from the near-absolute power they wielded.
            Today we consider that any popularity gained from such selfish ambition is easily lost, but the love of friendship offers a more lasting reward.

On this day, as well as every other, we are encouraged to worship our God.  I thought I would give you a little help from the book of Ecclesiastes to start your week off.  So, here is some simple steps from the first part of chapter 5.

Have a great day in the Lord.

Pastor Dave

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

A Portrait of a True Worshiper

First, we are to enter the place of worship to listen (vv. 1-3).

Second, we are to enter worship intending to keep the commitments we make to God (vv. 4-6).

Third, we enter worship in awe of God (v. 7).

Nov 7

Ecclesiastes 5:8-17

          The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much. - Ecclesiastes 5:12a 

          In the late 1980s, a revolutionary anti-depressant drug hit the market, and by the early '90s, the name Prozac entered the popular vocabulary of American culture, along with yuppies, thirty somethings, and workaholics. The drug was intended to treat a chemical imbalance that caused clinical depression, but it became a fashionable cure for anyone with a priority imbalance for whom success, career, and money just wasn’t enough to bring happiness. Imagine that…fulfillment in a pill!

          Ecclesiastes diagnosed that condition long ago. We read in our passage today that oppression, injustice, and denial of basic human rights is to be expected because the sickness of greed is widespread, and even the king is not immune (vv. 8, 9). The basic problem is inherent in their desires: a love affair with money can never be satisfied (v. 10).
          Verse 11 points out an additional problem with wealth: the more you have, the more people tend to turn up at your doorstep wanting their share. This type of friend doesn’t offer any of the benefits mentioned in chapter 4–shared labor, rescue, warmth, protection–all they bring is superficial acceptance that fades just as fast as the money that they’re spending!
          The next observation stands out as the sole positive point in this passage. A hard day’s work yields a good night’s sleep (v. 12). But the sheer accumulation of riches brings insomnia. The next verses give us some idea why–wealth, whether it’s hoarded or lost altogether–seems to be a grievous evil either way (vv. 13, 14). In the end, riches really do not matter, because, as the saying goes, you can’t take it with you (vv. 15, 16). If you’re ever in danger of making money too much of a priority, verse 17 should instantly cure that line of thinking. An existence marked by “great frustration, affliction and anger” isn’t worth pursuing. A pill might alleviate those symptoms for awhile, but no pharmacy can change the end result!
          Once again, Ecclesiastes reveals that so much of life depends on attitude and desire. What is your attitude toward money? A good test is to ask yourself this question: do I have enough money? Another question…Is what I am doing with my money the best use of it?

Nov 9

Nov 19

Jan 15

Ecclesiastes 9:1-10
    Whoever said death and taxes are the only two certainties in life wasn't far from the truth. Solomon would agree with at least the first part of
that statement, because he emphasized in the book of Ecclesiastes that death is a certainty for every person, regardless of status, wealth, or
wisdom--or the lack thereof.
You may be thinking that discussing death is not a very encouraging way to begin today's study. However, the certainty of death is an important part
of the lesson Solomon wants us to learn about life. The fact is that even for God's people the future is uncertain (vv. 1-3). We don't know what
awaits us. There are no guarantees that life will always land sunny side up.  Death, however, is certain (vv. 4-6). So what should we do about these
two inescapable realities? An uncertain future and a certain death may seem like a bleak outlook, but Solomon's advice for us is anything but
morbid.
    As we look at this passage, we need to issue a theological disclaimer. Ecclesiastes is not God's only, or His final, word about life.
Therefore, we can't build an entire theology on these verses. For example, when this book addresses themes such as certainty and
uncertainty, the doctrine of salvation is not in view. Solomon was concerned with life ""under the sun.""
    That being said, let's consider the king's advice on how to live as God's stewards in the face of life's uncertainties and riddles that
can't be figured out.     If you have read Ecclesiastes you know that instead of urging us to retreat to the top of a mountain and ponder the unexplainable ways of God, Solomon's counsel is to enjoy the good gifts from God.
    One conclusion of this book is that only God can give us the ability to enjoy His gifts. It's because ""God favors what [we] do"" (v. 7) that we
can delight in His provision for our need of food and drink. The idea is that the presence of these gifts indicates God's approval.
    The same is true for gifts such as marriage and the work God puts before us. Our days are not ""meaningless"" in the sense of being futile.
Instead, our days are fleeting, passing quickly. Let's make the most of them to serve and please God.
    The fact that life is short doesn't mean we have to be morbid about it.   Being God's steward was never meant to be a grim affair. Does your life
reflect the joy that comes with knowing God and living according to His principles? Evaluate the level of joy in your life today.
Here’s a little exercise for you.  List four or five reasons you have to be joyful, then share what you found with your family or friends.

Jan 16

Ecclesiastes 9:7-10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

    During the Civil War, Union general George McClellan became well known for being hesitant to respond to the enemy and move his army out into
the battle. In 1862, two Union soldiers found a copy of the Confederate army’s detailed plans for a campaign in western Maryland, and gave the
plans to McClellan. Despite this advantage, McClellan was reluctant and timid in his attack, and the battle of Antietam turned into a bloody carnage.
General McClellan had no reason to hold back with the battle plans in his hands. The time of opportunity was short, and he needed the resolve to
move out and take advantage of the moment, which is really what Solomon is calling us to do in today’s reading. The setting is very different, of
course, but the principle is the same. Life is short, so enjoy God’s goodness.

    The context for these verses may not seem very upbeat. The subject was the certainty of death for everyone. We might expect Solomon to offer
gloomy advice after reflecting on death and its finality.

    Once again, the wisest person who ever lived counseled his readers to lay aside thoughts of gloom and the shortness of life, and accept what
God has given. In case that recurring word “meaningless” bothers you, remember that Ecclesiastes isn’t the Bible’s only word on the meaning of
life.

    Besides, it is true that many things that perturb people mean very little in light of eternity. Solomon was helping us bypass the emptiness for something that mattered.

 Ecclesiastes doesn’t tell us to lie down and quit, and neither does it encourage us to spend our days on a mountain trying to solve the mysteries of life. You have to appreciate the practicality of the things Solomon urges us to enjoy: physical nourishment, love and companionship . . . and work!
White clothing and anointing oil (v. 8) were signs of rejoicing and gladness. They weren’t necessities in the same sense as food and drink.
 

Ecclesiastes 10
If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success. - Ecclesiastes 10:10

            This verse struck me as the “predicament” where many servants of the Lord find themselves.  If this is true, as we know it is, shouldn’t we use it as an appeal to God? There are times with all who work for God, when they are blunt, through much usage. The brain is blunt, and cannot think. The heart is blunt, and cannot feel. The voice is blunt, and has lost its ringing note. How often the evangelist, towards the end of a series of services, feels blunt! Sometimes also there are private sorrows, which we cannot speak of, which take off the edge.

            At such times let us turn to God and say, “I ask for more strength.  Let your power be magnified in my weakness. Give more grace, so that your work shall not suffer.”

            My guess is that Paul meant this when he said that he gloried in infirmities, that the power of Christ might rest upon him.  I’m pretty sure that more work is done by a blunt edge and Divine power, than by a sharp edge and little power.

This, however, does not justify us in continuing to be blunt. And when we are conscious that the edge is going off, it is important for us to seek a fresh “sharpening.”  The time is not lost in the harvest-field when the reapers whet their scythes.   A day in the country or a week of vacation where we can meditate and rejuvenate are very pleasant whetstones! 

            Solomon says that friendship, the face of a friend, will sharpen a blunt edge; and often we have been sharpened and encouraged by times of fellowship.  But after all, nothing gives us such a keen edge as the devotional study of God’s Word.

            Today I would encourage each reader of this devotional to ask to be made a freshly sharpened axe, having an edge that would bring success to the work of the Lord in our church and the surrounding mission field; for the glory of God.

Jan 24

Ecclesiastes 10:1-10:20
An entire performance of Rossini’s opera, William Tell, lasts about six hours–more than most human voices, or ears, can endure. But its overture (basically the symphonic synopsis of the story) is likely the most well-known piece of music of its kind. It has four parts, all of which are fairly popular: the sunrise on the cello, the storm on the drums and brass, the peaceful pastoral scene by the English horn and flute, and the galloping call of the trumpet–the tune that gave the Lone Ranger his theme.
   
The four-part construction resembles the four seasons as it summarizes the entire six-hour epic through its full circle of emotions in a matter of minutes. Today’s passage does much the same thing for the book of Ecclesiastes. It’s a string of wise sayings and observations that, in a sense, guide us through the author’s entire view of life “under the sun.”

    There are too many quips and phrases in this passage to cover them all today, so let’s focus on a few. What political conservatives would love to use as a verse to condemn liberals (10:2) is really a statement noting how the wise man and the foolish man head in completely opposite directions. That theme runs throughout this passage.

    Scattered along the way are some very good pieces of advice. Remain calm in the face of anger, even when its source is a powerful leader (10:4). There may be great temptation to storm away from an outburst, but calmly continuing in your duties can quiet the waters. Along the same line of respectful humility, don’t show disrespect to your superiors, even when you think you’re alone. In fact, we shouldn’t let hatred enter our thoughts–such attitudes have a way of making themselves known (10:20).

    It may be difficult to spend time each day thinking about life in such broad, sweeping strokes. Now might be a good time to clean the palate, so to speak.