October 19, 2011

Ecclesiastes 9:7-18 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
John 6:1-15, 1 Peter 2:1-8, Jeremiah 37-38

Journal Entry

Scripture

7Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.... 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... 17The 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. (Eccl 9:7, 11, 17-18)

Observation

Today's scripture can be very confusing. It has to be read in context of other previous chapters to get better understanding. If read in isolation, it seemed to indicate that you can simply "enjoy" life today because there is "nothing" tomorrow. No guarantee of better result when a righteous and wise life is lead, worldly speaking. This can be disheartening and takes away the motivation to live a righteous life. However, this is not to be. This reasoning would hold true if there is no God. But for us believers, because there is God our Father, we have eternity with God in heaven to look forward to. With God, our temporal world should not dictate how we live our lives, but our lives and perspectives on our lives on earth should be viewed and carried out in preparation of our eternity with God in heaven.

Application

Without God, it is true that there is not much difference in results between righteous and wicked in terms of "time and chance". We see many righteous suffering and living a humble life whereas many wicked and unrighteous living an extravagant lifestyle with much of worldly things. If all we see is what we can see and grasp, there would be no difference. However, we have God among us and we have Heaven where we will spend our eternity with God to look forward to. Therefore, let us push forward to live a life that is Godly, wise and righteous before God. As verse 17 says, "The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools."

Prayer

Lord, help me to look to you first and foremost. Help me to have "eternity" perspective in prioritizing my life and live righteous living. Help me to be wise in your eyes first and foremost. Give me courage to choose to obey your commands and your will when the world pressures me to do otherwise by presenting rosy pictures from "worldly" perspective which is in contrast to yours. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

--kc