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Ecclesiastes Over-thinking
Week 16 Day 1
Reading - Ecclesiastes 1:17-18 “And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind. For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.” ESV
Thought - Solomon was given great wisdom by God, and often spent his days in consideration. Solomon had a serious problem though, he over-thought things way beyond need, what else was he going to do once the Temple was built and the entertainment had gone home? We could often think of Solomon having sleepless nights because of his overthinking, and some of us have probably experienced such occasions. What quelled Solomon's over-thinking was the over-riding thought, God is still sovereign and holds all accountable.
Prayer - Let me not become obsessed with over-thinking in a human perspective, but let Your understanding spring forth in me. Let me dwell securely and peacefully on Your stable promises, commandments and statutes.
Sovereign
Day 2
Reading - Ecclesiastes 3:14, 9:1 “I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God.”
Thought - Solomon in his depression of the ways of the world, still considers the acts of God above all others to be great. This is how we should perceive these things also in this broken world. When the works of man alone are either unrighteous or temporary, then it is only the works of God which come to good and last forever. Since God is sovereign, being able to do whatever He chooses to, then His works alone remain as He intended them to be.
Prayer - Lord Your works are glorious and beyond comprehension, being established forever. Thank You Lord that I can trust that Your good works are done in love, and since You Lord know the course of my life, what You do will be for my eternal good.
Accountability
Day 3
Reading - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Thought - We read in the gospels that Jesus always sent people in pairs, and although we don't read directly of it in all the Old Testament, we can have some assurance that they too always worked in pairs. Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs because within a pair there is accountability, and a strong bond formed through the Holy Spirit. Do not presume that you are ready to go out alone without someone to support you and keep you to accountability. Your pastor will not be able to fill this role, instead search for a spiritual mother, father, brother or sister who will keep regard for you and for your spiritual health.
Prayer - Lord, help me to find my spiritual partner You are sending my out with. Help me keep accountable to them, and them to me, that united we would see and experience Your wondrous works in our living of the gospel, that is the sharing of it. Thank You that between us You have put Your Holy Spirit that with You Lord we form a companionship of three, a threefold cord that cannot be broken.
Gifts of God
Day 4
Reading - Ecclesiastes 5:19 “Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil--this is the gift of God.”
Thought - God gives many gifts, it pleases Him to give gifts. There is an important message though that comes through with God's gifting, "it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:9) When God works and gives gifts it is not an opportunity for man to think highly of himself, neither because God gave them to him, as if it were because of good works, nor because he has done anything which should give reason why he should receive. But God gives good gifts to those He chooses because of His good pleasure. His gifts are always given in love for good purposes, not reward.
Prayer - Thank You Lord for the gifts that You saw fitting to give me. Help me to further use them Lord for Your great good, revealing to me Your purpose for them. May the receiving of Your gifts and the using of Your gifts ever be to Your glory.
Wisdom
Day 5
Reading - Ecclesiastes 9:17, 10:12 “The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.”
Thought - When Rehoboam was asked by the people of Israel regarding their workload, he chose to increase their load. The decision made, supported by the young friends he grew up with and not by the council of the wise advisors led to the split of the nation of Israel into the two main tribes, Ephraim and Judah. Here foolishness led to a split which ultimately led to the exile of Israel. When we choose to listen to the counsel of people who only agree with us or who speak to our ego’s we leave opportunity for evil to come upon us, therefore we are called to be faithfully wise.
Prayer - Grant me Lord a double portion of Your wisdom and a humility towards my understanding, that I would not be caught up in the desires and activities of foolishness. Make me a willing learner and grant me Your understanding that I would know how to make good decisions which would lead to Your glory.
Above all other
Day 6
Reading - Ecclesiastes 12:12-14 “My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
Thought - Above the commandments and statutes of God there is no greater authority, no greater interpretation, no greater judgement. It doesn't matter what books are written, the command of God will always over-rule, for there is no other method by which we can be saved. When God's command is, "This my Son...Listen to Him" (Luke 9:35) then above all else we should be listening and following His Son Jesus, who is the very Word of God. For God will bring all deeds to judgement, all but those hidden in Christ Jesus.
Prayer - Lord, let Your Word and Your commandments be alive. Let them be life to me, that no other word would hold more ground in my heart. Aid me in pursuit of righteousness that my actions and my deeds would not be opposed to Your commandments, that is to sin, but that I would follow them with a whole heart, them being life to me.
Beyond Comprehension
Day 7
Reading - Ecclesiastes 11:5 “As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.�
Thought - There things that are revealed, and things that are withheld. God has graced us with the recorded wisdom of His Word in the Scriptures. To appreciate the mind of God we must read these writings, but no matter how much is read, no matter how much is appreciated, no matter how much is understood, there will always be things that man is not to know. In those times we must be willing to trust, that God being sovereign, knowing all, and being benevolent that He reveals the things we need to know, and upholds the rest in His hand, administering grace as is good in His character.
Prayer - Help me Lord to put more of my trust in You, knowing and secure in the knowledge that You Lord are sovereign over everything, and that You reveal and administer grace as is good to do so. Thank You Lord that to this point You have done what You have seen good to do, and that has been good for me Lord, even in the times I did not think it so.