Ecc. 9, 10

There are times in life when your superiors will appear to be against you. Solomon gives us practical advice; “Don’t leave your job just because your boss is angry with you. Remaining calm solves great problems.” [Ecc. 10:4 NCV]

Remaining calm also gives God time to work for you and in you. He can help your boss see issues more clearly. He can help you be a better subordinate. Give God time.

Ecc. 8

Newnan, Georgia, experienced the power of wind this week. Tornadoes devastated many homes and buildings and uprooted countless trees. A friend lost the woods behind his home and said it sounded like a freight train moving through.

Solomon said, “No one has power over the wind to contain it.” [Ecc. 8:8a] Some translations use the word “spirit” where many also use “wind.” Regardless, it stands to reason that men are incapable of controlling the wind. They can shelter themselves from it, but must bear it or suffer the damage its power can inflict.

When human governments seem to exert power to achieve their own selfish purposes, we must never forget that there is an Omnipotent God in Heaven that can blow their devices down in a heartbeat.

Get right with God NOW!

Ecc. 6,7

Why would Solomon make this statement? “Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.” [Ecc. 7:3 TLB] The theme of the first five verses of Ecclesiastes 7 is that suffering and sorrow benefit us more than the good times.

James says, “When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence.” [James 1:2-4 JB Phillips]

Paul says, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;” [Phil. 1:29]

We are grateful for the good times, but we GROW in the hard times.

Ecc. 5

Solomon stated, “The more goods there are, the more people there are to consume them. How does any of this really benefit the owners except they can gaze proudly on their possessions?”

I’m NOT PROUD to say that I am a collector; bicycles and parts, stereo gear, and trombones. This verse from Solomon (he collected wives and horses) convicts me. I can only ride one bike at a time etc. Confusion would prevail if I tried to listen to 20 stereos at once. I KNOW I need to sell at least 4 trombones (and keep four). At least I can play them … separately.

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. [1 Tim. 6:8]

Ecc. 3,4

When we were at Hope Temple in Findlay, Ohio, we had a Whirlpool plant across the road. When a shift change happened, the workers would pull out of the parking lot and “floor it.” They were like animals set free from a trap. “Vrooom,” they were off. Do you think they were happy to finally get away from the boring repetition of an assembly line job?

Solomon advises, ” there is nothing better than for people to enjoy their work, because that is their reward.”

Most people work to earn a living. When you enjoy what you do, it won’t really seem like work to you. It’s good advice for young people to find a profession that they enjoy … one that they retain a sense of pride and accomplishment from. God has given them certain skills and gifts. When they use them, they find greater meaning in life.

Ecclesiastes 1, 2

Solomon spent his life chasing whatever he wanted. He was king. He could do whatever he jolly well wanted. By his own admission, he chased everything “Under the sun.” His conclusion: it’s all meaningless and its like chasing the wind. It keeps moving but has NO SUBSTANCE nor value.

God obviously created the wind and He uses it for His purposes.

I used to have a yard with tons of leaves in it. If I waited long enough, the wind would carry away most of them. I used the wind to my advantage. A sailor can use the wind to propel his vessel by hoisting sales. God can use the wind to bring His Holy Spirit to you like He did in the early church. [Acts 1,2]

We are wise when we use the wind rather than chasing it.

Proverbs 30, 31

Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. [Ga. 5:22,23]

When God’s Holy Spirit is living on our inside, We should put His voice above those of our own lusts and cravings. Is it possible that a craving is a lust that has become a habit?

God won’t take something away that He won’t provide something BETTER in its place ie. His Holy Spirit displaces too much wine.

Don’t be drunk with wine, which will ruin your life, but be filled with the Spirit. [Eph. 5:18 ERV]

Jesus told His followers not to think so much or worry about what they were to eat. [Matt. 6:25] Granted, the primary message here is “don’t worry ,,,, God will provide,” but it’s too easy to dwell way too much on food. He also said, “Give us this day our DAILY BREAD,” ie.don’t try to eat a week’s portion when a daily portion is sufficient.

Please pray for ME as I apply these principles to MY LIFE.

Proverb 29

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. [Pr. 29:11]

God is not nervous about all the injustices in the world. He deals with everything in stride, and always has the last word on a matter. His people can walk in the same mindset, bringing calm to the strife in life.

Keeping calm and relying upon empathetic hearing can give the Christian a chance to witness to the upset.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. [Pr. 15:1]

Proverbs 24-28

God looks out for the poor and so should we.

He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. [Pr. 14:21]

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. [Pr. 19:17]

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. [Pr. 22:9]

Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse. [Pr 28:6]

The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. [Pr. 29:7]

Proverb 23

The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. [Pr. 23:24 NLT]

This is very true. Fathers find great joy in seeing their children serve the Lord. For me personally, one of the greatest joys of my life is to see my children and grandchildren love Jesus and live for Him.

If they were wildly successful in business or social status yet away from the Lord, I would have a deep longing to see them get right with Christ. If pleasing the Lord became their first priority, all else would find its healthy place in their life.

My daily prayer is that they will love Jesus the way I do and let Him lead them. It’s the BEST WAY to live.