Daily Encouragement

NOVEMBER 16, 2008 - Searching For Meaning In Life

This book was written by King Solomon who called us together to examine the meaning of life. He stated the theme from the beginning: "Vanity of vanities," says the preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." (NKJV)

Solomon summarized his searching from a scientific perspective, (v. 4-7), and found that nothing had changed; from a social perspective, (v.8-11), and found that there was nothing new under the sun; from a wisdom and philosophy standpoint, and found that there was no solution. (v. 12-18)

From his experience, he could not find satisfaction in life. Everything is zero like a bubble. You work hard, but you finally realize that life is empty!

My recent reunion with my high school classmates impressed me with one thing: Many of them are preoccupied with the passing of friends who are dead.

What is the solution? One Christian Chinese scholar says, "Only faith can change grave to grace".

NOVEMBER 17, 2008 - Continuous Search For Meaning

Meditation on Ecclesiastes 2

In his search for satisfaction and meaning in life, Solomon tried everything within his reach. In chapter one, he recorded his search by observation and thought process. Now in chapter two, he talked about his search through pleasures, hard works and comparison:

He engaged himself in making jokes, drinking wine, making his body comfortable, building construction, working on agricultural projects, employing lots of workers, raising great farms and ranches, gathering money, gold, silver, and treasures, enjoying music and choir, have a lot of sex and beautiful women, and did anything he can get pleasure from. But the result was still emptiness like grasping the wind. (v. 10-11) We can see examples of this in the lives of many movie stars and athletes.

Then he compared the wise, the crazy, and the fool. In the end he saw that all must face death and emptiness. (v. 12-17) His assessment of all men's labor was that it was all transferable, unpredictable, unfair, and causing worry and fear. (v. 18-23)

The conclusion of his search was that we should commit all to God's sovereignty and let Him decide while we enjoyed what God has given to us. (v. 24-26)

The pursuit of worldly pleasure, power and fame will end up in either boredom or frustration. But when we seek God and His kingdom first, we will have all we need spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. (Matthew 6:33)

NOVEMBER 18, 2008 - Time, Eternity And Death

Meditation on Ecclesiastes 3

The book of Ecclesiastes is very philosophical. It takes deep and long meditation to understand what Solomon is talking about. For an introduction, let me just summarize from chapter three some concepts for us to reflect upon:

First, our time is controlled by God. (v. 1-8)

Second, God has created eternity in the heart of man. Our life is linked with eternity. Our root is from eternity. That is why we will not have satisfaction in life until we settle the question of our destination in eternity. Only when we trust in the creator and judge of eternity can we have meaning and comfort in life. (v. 9-17)

Third, both man and animal will face death. The only difference is that man's spirit will go up and the animal's soul will go down. If a man does not know God, he then will be like an animal! (v. 18-22, Psalm 49:12, 20)

May God help us to understand His truth.

NOVEMBER 19, 2008 - Face Emptiness With Fellowship

Meditation on Ecclesiastes 4

Under Solomon's observation, life is unfair because many people are oppressed. They have no comforter. (v. 1-3)

Our lives are full of struggles and competitions. (v. 4-6)

Man's endless labor cannot resolve the deep problem of loneliness. (v. 7-8)

Only relationship and fellowship can help us face the tough struggles in life. (v. 9-12) Every human being needs social relationship. No man is an island. We must work together. Friendship is truly indispensable to a tolerable life. Therefore you need the church and her community. You need a home!

Even authority and advancement is meaningless for the rich, poor, young or old. For no one can guarantee his legacy will last. (v. 13-16)

May the Lord help you find what is truly meaningful in life.

NOVEMBER 20, 2008 - Contemplating Worship And Riches

Meditation on Ecclesiastes 5

When we come before God to worship we must watch our attitude and words. For God holds our every word before Him accountable. The vow we make before Him, we must keep. It is better for us to listen than speak too much so become a fool. (v. 1-7) Therefore learn to listen. It is even more important than sacrifice. Also worshipers should pray succinctly.

People are oppressed by the rich and powerful who are in turn influenced by higher power. (v. 8-9)

But note that riches will not bring contentment and rest. On the contrary, wealth will bring frustration, affliction and anger. Many have worked so hard that they can only have time to eat at night. They have no time to serve God. (v. 10-17)

In conclusion, enjoyment with God is the only way. Focus on riches will not bring satisfaction. But focus on godly contentment, we will be glad. (v. 18-20)

NOVEMBER 21, 2008 - Wealth, Children, And Longevity Do Not Mean Enjoyment

Meditation on Ecclesiastes 6

Practically speaking, the wise sage says that wealth and honor do not bring a person happiness if he was not given the ability to enjoy them. (v. 1-2) Illness, worries, mishap, intimate relationship problem, moral defect, or emotional problem can easily prevent a so called successful man from satisfaction. Look at the examples of Howard Hughes and many famous executives who experienced grave problems today.

Even longevity and full of children is meaningless without enjoyment. (v. 3-9) One scholar says that our life is like writing an article. The length is not as important as the content. We want a life that lived well with quality and character. If no one even cares you are still alive or not. If your life is just drifting here and there without worthy goal, it is a tragedy!

Human being is very limited. We work hard but we do not know what the outcome will be, let alone satisfaction. (v. 10-12) Our circumstance changes, the environments changes. People's feeling is unpredictable. We compete and compare with each other all the time. All in all, life is a mystery!

Have you found the solution?

NOVEMBER 22, 2008 - The Wisdom Of Life

Meditation on Ecclesiastes 7

This chapter is a new section which deals with wisdom. It contains gems of proverbs and comparison. For a beginning student of the wisdom literature of the Bible, it may be easier for him to read the interpretation of the Living Bible in order to understand some of the ideas. However through diligent digging of Bible scholars' commentaries, we can find a lot more wonderful teaching.

Generally speaking, Ecclesiastes 7 can be divided into three major discussions about wisdom:

A. Verses 1-10 Wisdom would make our living with better meaning.

B. Verses 11-18 Wisdom protects our life from ruin and waste.

C. Verses 19-29 Wisdom helps us face life with righteous strength.

For verses one to three, there are tremendous teachings for us to meditate on. In verse one; since ointment was heavily used for burial in ancient custom of Middle East, we should understand the meaning of this verse as such: a good name is better than nice burial. In verses two to four, the sage instructs us which occasion is more important, prudent, substantive, reflective, and instructive in life.

Verses five to ten teach us practically what kind of behavior, temperament, and attitude we should have in life. It is worthwhile for us to digest these concepts very carefully and internalize them.

Verses eleven to fourteen admonish us to learn from the teaching of God throughout our lives so it can protect us and submit to His wisdom.

Verses fifteen to eighteen tell us to avoid extreme actions in life. Confucius, the philosopher would readily agree with that.

Again, verses nineteen to twenty-two show us some very significant observations in life for sane living.

Verses twenty three to twenty five express our inability to grasp the meaning of all that God is doing in this world.

Verses twenty six to twenty nine point out the lack of righteousness in humanity in general. The zero in of woman's lack of uprightness seems to be an observation by Solomon himself among his wives and concubines. It is not a discrimination against woman from the Bible. For Solomon also speaks highly of women in Proverbs 12:4, 14:1, 18:22, 19:14, 31:10f and Ecclesiastes 9:9. Moreover, Solomon describes the all important wisdom with female pronouns in Proverbs 1:20, 8:1 and 9:1.

What have God impressed you in your reading? Any question? Send me an email.