Lesson 16 May 26
Review:
Passage #1 2 Corinthians
10:2-5
Passage #2 Philippians 4:8-9 What is to characterize our thinking!
Passage Number Three:
Ecclesiastes 7:11-14
Before we look at this passage, I would like to look briefly at
another passage which is important to understand the thrust of Ecclesiastes
7:11-14 and to the matter of suffering and our response to that suffering.
Romans 8:28-29
As we look at Eccl 7 we need to
remember some basic principles of Doctrine.
We're
commanded to give thanks to rejoice in all things. This would include the undeserved suffering
we will face in this life.
When we
are occupied with Him, we have the
ability to express thanksgiving always, in all things which also indicates that
we have and are living with a Romans 8:28 mentality!
Principle of Rom
Choice we have is to mix that
situation being faced with the DVPT that God in grace has made available to all
who seek it; with the result that we are
benefited as we produce divine good.
With this viewpoint and thinking as a background, let’s go to
Eccl. 7:11-14:
First, the command (vs. 13a).
We are told to “consider the
work of God.”
Does the
phrase “work of God” ring a bell? He
has a plan and a provision for you. He
has provided through Christ and His work on the cross for our salvation and He
has made the provision for our life after salvation through His revelation, the
Word to provide us the insight and discernment needed to live in this sin
cursed world and bring glory to Him.
The
point is, we are to observe, inspect, and consider the circumstances of our lives, our daily existence, in the light of God’s essence, His immanence,
Who and What He is, and then to live accordingly—responding in faith.
Second, the question (vs.
13b). “for who is able to straighten what He has bent.”
Observations:
(a) Life is often bent. It has ups and downs, rough places and smooth
places. We live in a fallen, sin cursed world filled with sinful people and
life simply will not be an interstate highway.
(b) It means, however, God is there in our ups and downs. As a
personal, loving, and all-wise God, He is personally and actively involved.
(c) It also shows us what we cannot do! Man cannot straighten what
God has bent. When God puts a curve in our road, we must follow the curve or
run off the road into a ditch.
Third, the instruction (vs. 14).
Next
comes some special instruction telling us how we are to act and respond to the
varied circumstances of life. “In the
day of prosperity, be happy.”
“But in the day of adversity,”
when God puts a bend in the road, “consider,”
observe, inspect your circumstances, stop,
think and learn.
Our
instructions are to think. We are to remember and know that God is at work. He
has made the provision for you both the day of prosperity and the day of
adversity.
Verse
14d speaks to these questions, “So that man will not discover anything that will be after him. . . . ” What
a strange statement. What’s the point?
We can
discover God’s moral will from the Word,
how He desires for us to function in life but not the details of God’s
sovereign will and actions.
This is
not to keep us guessing, but trusting and ever leaning upon Him. Proverbs 3:5-6
Faith is not simply trusting God to remove the pain or trial, but
trusting God regardless, trusting His revealed purposes even when it doesn’t
make sense to us!
The question: Are we living for
our happiness or for the praise of His glory?
Ps.
139:3, 23-24; Lam 3:39-40,
Psalm
119:5, 59, 60, 67, 71
The Psalmist knew the afflictions and trials of
life are like tools that God uses to challenge us that we may turn to God’s
truth the Word for direction that is consistent with His stated revealed
desires for us. But how are we able to do that?
Time in
the Word should be a priority. Can't
think it if you don't know it!
This will lead to occupation with Christ our Savior, the unique person
of the universe. From that occupation
with Christ flows the capacity to live life and glorify Him in every aspect of
life.