Ecclesiastes 9:1-18

Surrender is a condition in which we realize that we are unable to stand against someone or something that is obviously stronger than we are.  Most people have a certain amount of pride that keeps them from admitting the need for surrender so they continue to grind away until they can stand it no longer.  Unfortunately, we often surrender to temptation and fail to surrender to the Lord.  Solomon lived a life of frivolity and an endless search for pleasure he   came to the end of his life recognizing that this was futility and finally surrendered to the recognition that he was not in control of his life.

DEATH IS UNAVOIDABLE: No matter who we are, what we do and how hard we try all of us are headed towards an appointment with death.  This is the reality of the curse that sin has brought upon the earth.  The wicked and righteous die, the rich and poor die, we weak and strong die.  There is no way for us to avoid our date with death.  As long as we live, there is hope so life truly is a gift with which we should strive to prepare for eternity.  The way to be the best prepared for this unavoidable death is by enjoying our life.  This does not mean that we should live the frivolous life of passing pleasures with which Solomon experimented but that we should love our wife, be faithful in our work, be thankful for our food and simply live a life of rejoicing.  Life is a gift from God and we would do well to enjoy that gift to the utmost.


LIFE IS UNPREDICTABLE: There is a way that we think that life should go.  We think that the righteous should prosper and the wicked should suffer.  We expect that kings should act with nobility and that the simple should be very basic in their approach to life.  When the powerful go to war against the frail we think that the powerful will be victorious.  These things do no always happen.  Life can be very unpredictable.  The strongest warriors can be surprised by a trap that brings them to their knees.  The health conscience man can be stricken by cancer.  Many times the “underdog” is victorious and the dominant is dominated.  Many times the wise and unassuming person will overcome the brash and powerful.  Wisdom and humility do not make a big splash and will not attract the attention of the mass media or anyone for that matter.  However, it is far better to prevail in anonymity the to fail with celebrity.    

Comments

  1. BonnieDecember 18, 2014 at 7:55 PM

    Gary, I also have a blog. I'm not nearly as faithful as you are in adding to it, but I will not have my "quiet time" with a view of "what can I share with others." So I will go into my previous journals to share. My time with the Lord is to learn what He has for me to apply in my life today. Mine is www.BonniesBibleMusings.blogspot.com.

    ReplyDelete
  2. BonnieDecember 20, 2014 at 3:37 PM

    (The seventh Seal takes place in Heaven.)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than a...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows i...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...
Read more