Today I am thankful for: great sleep last night, Josh feeling better, a beautiful evening sky, a hummingbird at the feeder, Alison's surgery going well, the full moon, hugs & kisses from my babies, fresh bed linens, hot showers, the privilege to cook for my family
Wow...so I'm reading Ecclesiastes and it's a difficult one. I can understand why Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 1:18 "For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases in knowledge increases in sorrow." As we grow in wisdom with the Lord our eyes are opened to sin and to the folly of the majority of mankind. We all die--there is no distinction at death between the wicked and the righteous. It's difficult to understand that God's judgement will come in His time, not our own. Solomon's views are pretty dark; we all toil in vain for we all will die. So what's the point? Sprinkled among his teaching is perhaps part of his point: Eccl. 2:24 "Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This, also, I saw was from the hand of God." Be content in what the Lord has given! We should satisfy ourselves with the work He has called us to do, and with the fruit of our labor and God's provision. If we take joy in the Lord and store up treasures in heaven, our work is not in vain! Yes, our hearts break for those that walk in darkness and don't know the Lord, but we can share Jesus with others and be fulfilled by the Master.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 "I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor--it is the gift of God." (NASB)
Wow...so I'm reading Ecclesiastes and it's a difficult one. I can understand why Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 1:18 "For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases in knowledge increases in sorrow." As we grow in wisdom with the Lord our eyes are opened to sin and to the folly of the majority of mankind. We all die--there is no distinction at death between the wicked and the righteous. It's difficult to understand that God's judgement will come in His time, not our own. Solomon's views are pretty dark; we all toil in vain for we all will die. So what's the point? Sprinkled among his teaching is perhaps part of his point: Eccl. 2:24 "Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This, also, I saw was from the hand of God." Be content in what the Lord has given! We should satisfy ourselves with the work He has called us to do, and with the fruit of our labor and God's provision. If we take joy in the Lord and store up treasures in heaven, our work is not in vain! Yes, our hearts break for those that walk in darkness and don't know the Lord, but we can share Jesus with others and be fulfilled by the Master.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 "I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor--it is the gift of God." (NASB)
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