For those who think all the hard questions have just been thought of in recent days, Ecclesiastes sets that to rest.  Be sure you don’t make too many conclusions about this book of the Bible until you have read the whole thing. And even then, be careful.  I’ve been reading this book for 35 years and haven’t yet had the courage to preach a sermon series from it. Maybe that will come, but I keep reading and stand in awe of this little book.

Life does not consist of simple formulas.  It is complex. At times, it seems as if there are endless cycles without meaning (chapter 1).  The writer certainly learns the vanity of pursuing endless pleasure (chapter 2). He struggles to see if there is any difference between man and the animals, after he has declared very clearly what that difference is, “eternity into man’s heart.” He struggles with the seeming lack of advantage for the righteous person over the wicked.  “There are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to who it happens according to the deeds of the righteous” (8:14).

In spite of his struggles, the writer of this book of wisdom knows that life is a gift from God to be enjoyed (2:24; 3:12, 13, 22; 5:18-20; 8:15; 9:7-10).

Keep reading and follow the author through to his conclusions in chapter 12. And remember:  God hasn’t settled all his accounts yet.  Judgment is still to come. But if you know Jesus Christ, you can face that day with great hope. Read Romans 8:18-30.

Behold! behold the Lamb of God,

On the cross;

For us He sheds His precious blood

On the cross.

O hear His all important cry,

Why perish, blood bought sinner, why?

Draw near and see your Savior die

On the cross.

 

Behold His arms extended wide

On the cross;

Behold His bleeding hands and side

On the cross.

The sun withholds his rays of light,

The heav’ns are clothed in shades of night,

While Jesus does with devils fight

On the cross.

 

Come, sinners, see Him lifted up

On the cross;

He drinks for you the bitter cup

On the cross.

The rocks do rend, the mountains quake,

While Jesus doth atonement make,

While Jesus suffers for our sake

On the cross.

 

And now the mighty deed is done

On the cross;

The battle’s fought, the victory’s won

On the cross.

To Heav’n he turns His dying eyes;

’Tis finished! now the Conqueror cries;

Then bows His sacred head and dies

On the cross.

 

Where’er I go I’ll tell the story

Of the cross;

In nothing else my soul shall glory

Save the cross.

Yes, this my constant theme shall be

Through time and eternity,

That Jesus tasted death for me

On the cross.

 

Richard Jukes
Born: Oc­to­ber 9, 1804, Clung­un­ford, Shrop­shire, Eng­land.
Died: Au­gust 10, 1867, West Brom­wich, Eng­land.

After com­ing to Christ in 1825, Jukes was a lay speak­er, then served as a Prim­i­tive Meth­od­ist min­is­ter for 32 years, re­tir­ing in 1859.

http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/b/e/h/behobeho.htm

 

A Tarheel commented on their NCAA victory over Michigan State on Monday night.  Referencing the humiliation of North Carolina’s 2008 semi-final loss to the University of Kansas Jayhawks, the player noted, “we worked so hard; we wanted to redeem ourselves.”   Continue reading “Redeeming Ourselves?” →

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.  Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Proverbs 25:11, 12

 

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. Proverbs 10:19 Continue reading “The Power of Words” →

Every time I’ve boarded an airplane in the past year, it seems I’ve spotted at least one person with a copy of The Shack by William Paul Young. As of this writing, it is in its 44^th week on the New York Times best seller list. One woman’s effort to get a copy at the local library reported a waiting list with 140 names.

 

I don’t gravitate to best sellers, but was asked about it enough times by the people of my Faith Church family that I decided I should read it. It is a captivating story, fiction, but clearly the author’s personal journey to wholeness from his own “great sadness” parallel to the story line of The Shack.

Continue reading “The Shack” →

Anxiety in a man’s heart weights him down, but a good word makes him glad.

Proverbs 12:25

The first signs of spring are welcomed with the daffodils and tulips pushing their way toward the sun. I’m ready to get back on my bike to ride along the river instead of going nowhere in the basement. Continue reading “What can BROWN do for you?” →

The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. Proverbs 10:27

 

Is this an absolute promise?  Obviously not as we know of young persons who have loved and obeyed God who have been cut down by accident or illness while wicked persons have long and seemingly carefree lives.  Is this Proverb then false? Continue reading “Proverbs and Promises” →

There aren’t many references in the Bible to what God hates.  The most recognized example comes from the prophet Malachi, who tells us God hates divorce.  Every time I reference that vital text about marriage, Malachi 2:10-16, I try to remind people that one of the reasons God hates divorce, is because God loves people and every divorce leaves numerous wounded people in its wake.

 

What else does God hate?  Continue reading “Six Things God Hates – Proverbs 6:16-19” →