Daily Encouragement

November 23, 2008 - The Uncertainty Of Life

Commentators look at this chapter with various ideas. I like the three divisions given by the popular author and teacher, Warren Wiersbe - authority, Inequity and mystery.

The unpredictable ways of responding to authority is presented in verses one to nine. How a person exercises his authority and how one should respond to authority are something to be discerned carefully. We sure need wisdom in life.

From verses ten to fourteen, we see the uncertainty of equity in life. Many times we cannot judge right and wrong by the outcome. We may see the wicked has a better reward in the present life or a holy funeral. It is meaningless. But we do know that all will face judgment from God.

Therefore life is a mystery. (v. 15-17) Nobody knows what to do for sure for nobody knows what the future is. No one is able to comprehend what is the meaning of life with logic and reason. Solomon asks us to enjoy life in the portion that God has given to us.

In the face of uncertainty, how do we know when to enjoy, to cooperate, and to do the right things at the right time? We can do it by faith, ask God for godly wisdom as James instructs us. (James 1:5-6)

November 24, 2008 - Facing The Trap Of Death And Ignorant Ruler

Meditation on Ecclesiastes 9

In verse one, Solomon points out that the deeds of the righteous and the wise are in the hand of God. Whether it will bring love or sorrow, we do not know.

Then he goes on to show the reality of death and our responses from verses two to ten. Often times people's responses to death reveal the evil in their hearts and insanity. (v. 3)

From verses four to six, it is interesting to note that Solomon seems to contradict what he said in the earlier chapters. He realizes however that living is still better than death, "… surely a live dog is better than a dead lion." (Indeed, life is full of contradiction and puzzle.) Then he repeats what he has said all along with added details: enjoy life in the portion of what God has given you, be clean and well groom, enjoy your marriage and the labor of your work even though we will all face uncertain death. (v. 7-10)

Quickly, Solomon returns to the description of death trap and evil time. (v. 11-12) Life is unpredictable. We can easily be caught in the net of evil circumstances!

Verses eleven to eighteen talk about the power of wisdom. The wisdom of a quiet, poor and wise man can save a besieged city. But it was easily ruined by a foolish ruler. Still people can be trapped. What a tragedy!

What is the New Testament answer to Solomon's lament? Jesus has conquered the power of death through His resurrection. Those who believe in Him do not need to fear death any more. We know for sure that our toil on earth is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

November 25, 2008 - The Manifestation Of Foolishness

Meditation on Ecclesiastes 10

In verse one, Solomon points out the weight of foolishness. Just a little bit of foolish action would spoil all the wisdom and honor in life like dead flies make perfume oil stink. Then what makes a person becomes a fool? A man's own heart directs him toward right or left (wrong in ancient concept). (v. 2) The fool only listens to himself. (v. 3)

Going on, Solomon shows four kinds of foolish conditions. In each condition he also give one description of the wise.

1. Dealing with king and dignity.

The wise way is to be conciliatory toward them when they are angry. (v. 4) But so often we see the condition of rulers and servants are upside down. We see foolishness that a king does not behave like a king and allows servants to step over him. (v. 5-7)

2. The contrasting results between foolish and wise workers.

The foolish workers do not take precaution and care. He easily gets hurt. He does not even sharpen his tools. (v. 8-10a) But the wise ones will succeed. (v. 10b) The foolish ones is like a charmer being bitten by the snake before he makes profit from the audience. (v. 11) He is careless.

3. The differences between wise and foolish words.

Wise word is gracious. (v. 12a) But foolish words are hurtful, insensible, uncontrollable, and boastful. (v. 12b-15)

4. The indications of good or bad officials.

The bad officials show indulgence, indifference, and inattentive to needs, and indiscretion. (v. 16, 18-20) But the good officials had good training and follow proper order. (v. 17)

Is there something new that you learn from the Scriptures here after you read this passage?

November 26, 2008 - Faith, Enjoyment, And Judgment

Meditation on Ecclesiastes 11

For a beginner, we can look at this chapter with two divisions:

A. life is an adventure. (v. 1-6) It takes faith and generosity since no one can guarantee the future. (v. 1-2) Yet you may have good return or support for the future. Things will run the way as they are. Those who worry too much or being too cautious will not get any thing done. (v. 3-4) There are many things we do not know. Only God knows. But get to work and let the result rest in God's hand.

B. Life should be enjoyed. But remember two things: Darkness will come soon enough and that God will bring all of us to judgment. We will discover that childhood and youth are like vapors! They disappear too fast. (v. 7-10) If we value our time to live for God and do good while we are young, we will store treasures in eternity, (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

November 27, 2008 - Remember Your Creator

Meditation on Ecclesiastes 12

The final instructions by Solomon for the assembly of life are these: Remember your creator in the days of your youth, learn your lessons in life, fear God and keep His commandments.

Solomon described the problems of old age with the most imaginative and poetic language in verses one to eight. Most likely he was in such conditions when he wrote those words. He warned the young people to live out their lives in accordance to divine commandments before their energy became so weak and prospect of service became so dim. There are various interpretations for this passage to depict the days of no pleasure. The following understanding would help you to begin your own reflection.

We should remember our creator right now while we can enjoy the sunlight and the night sky with no sad prospect for next day. (v. 2)

During our very senior years, our bodies are shaken and we have hunched backs. Our good teeth are few and our vision is dim. (v. 3)

Those are the days when we are fearful of the street and our hearing are poor, when we are unable to sleep well and wake up very early. Our sound chords will become lower. (v. 4)

Then we are afraid of height and falling down on the street. Our hairs turn white. We can not stand even a grasshopper. We have no desires at all. Our expectation is death and funeral. (v. 5)

Like a running down house or an abandoned resort, our life is snapping out and winding down. The scenery portrays brokenness and loneliness. Our body returns to dust and our spirit returns to God. (v. 6-7)

All becomes a bubble. (v. 8)

The words of the wise and the preacher may hurt a little. But they can bring stability and firmness in our lives because they give direction and discernment. They are the lessons from life. We also need to exercise good choices in reading and writing. Not all are beneficial. (v. 9-12)

In final conclusion, we must fear God with reverent attitude and honoring Him. Therefore we should keep His commandments and prepare for His judgment in all things whether good or evil. (v. 13-14)

November 28, 2008 - Procrastination

Meditation on Haggai 1

A miracle happened; the Israelites exiled to Babylon were granted the privilege to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild their temple of worship by the Persian King who conquered the Babylonians. However, the returned Israelites did not continue their task of rebuilding because of their worries of the neighboring enemies who opposed their building and various other reasons. Haggai was the prophet who preached to them in 520 BC with the message of encouraging to finish their job for God.

These Israelites gave their excuse for not building God's house as this: "The time has not yet come for the LORD's house to be built." (v. 2 NIV) They were not saying that they would not build God's house. They simply said that it is not the time yet. They wanted to postpone it.

This kind of statement is indeed the most common statement for God's people for not serving God or witnessing for God today. We keep waiting for another time. It is too difficult now.

Haggai gave a strong response to counter their excuse. He said that you were living in a beautifully decorated home while God's house was being neglected. Was it right?

He gave them a spiritual lesson that they would never forgot. When God's people put their own comfort and luxury more important than the house of God, Their hard work in daily life would not be blessed by God. Their labor would be in vain.

So they should build God's house right then and should not procrastinate any more.

What are some of the urgent thing that God wants you to accomplish now? May be not building His house, but there could be something God wants you to obey Him right away!

November 29, 2008 - Don't Compare With The Past

Meditation on Haggai 2

Haggai the prophet continued with his successful messages to encourage the people of God to complete the task God has given them in chapter two. Basically he explained to them that they should not look back in two ways.

A. Though what they were building was like nothing in comparison to Solomon's temple, but they should take courage for God is with them. And Haggai prophesied that "The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former," says the LORD of hosts, "and in this place I will give peace," declares the LORD of hosts." (v. 9 NASB) This was predicting the future temple where the glory of the Messiah would dwell as Ezekiel did.

B. Haggai also explained that they should not look back to the former time of difficult livelihood. They were not blessed because of their heart and lives that were not dedicated to God. Their unfaithful hearts caused their works to be contaminated and therefore unholy and unacceptable before God. Though they attended worship and offered sacrifices, their lives were still unclean. But now God will bless them in their labor, protect them from their enemies and establish the authority (signet ring) of their leader, Zerubbabel.

When we are living for the Lord and doing what He has commanded, we do not need to worry about the past, but reaching forward to the things ahead.