Chapter 11. Only one more chapter left in the book of Ecclesiastes. This chapter has more great nuggets for life. Solomon's gift was his great wisdom. I want to take those nuggets that he has shared and hold them close to my heart. I want to remember them for my own life.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. I can't help but think of that little phrase when I read the first 2 verses in chapter 11. In Courtney Joseph's bible study, Ecclesiastes Wisdom for Living Well, she writes about how some commentaries explain 'cast thy bread up the water' as merchant trading. When sending your crops out on the seas, you never knew what the waters would hold. There could be smooth sailing or there could be storms at sea and your crops could be lost. The outcome of sending your ship out at sea was and is completely unpredictable. Solomon says not put all your 'bread' or grain on one ship. Split it up on 7 or 8 ships to help ensure you end up with some return for your labor. Still some risk involved of losing some or maybe even all, but chances are at least a few ships will make it safely. Greater odds of receiving a return on your investment.
Verses 3-6 continue telling us that there are risk involved in life, but the risk are not an excuse to not get up and try. You cannot always wait for the perfect timing or perfect conditions. It might look like rain, but if you don't get out and sow, there will be nothing to reap. 'As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.' (vs 5) Get up each morning, find work for your hands to do. You do not know the end result in the beginning, but when God blesses the work of your hand, no rain, no wind, no man can cause it to fail.
It is the same with our spiritual growth. If you are waiting for the perfect time to read your Bible, you will not find it. If you are waiting for the perfect time to pray, you will not pray. Things will come up and try to prevent you from helping others. Things will happen to try to stop you from working in the ministry God has for your life. You cannot allow the 'rain' and 'winds' of life to hinder us. We have to get up and take the time. If we don't, our growth will be stunted. We will become weak and we will be doomed to fall. You will reap from the time you put in learning, talking to, and loving Jesus. You will reap benefits that are out of this world!
I just love verse 5!! I know I already wrote it out, but I have to go back to that verse. Man tends to think he has a hold on this life. They are puffed up with knowledge. But the miracle of life cannot be figured out. They cannot cause life to start. Only God can give that breath of life. Man cannot cause bones to grow in the womb. Only God can do that miracle. He is the Creator after all. The maker of all. The giver of life. I LOVE that!!
Psalm 90:12 says, 'Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.' Solomon encourages us to rejoice in everyday (verses 7-10), but reminds us to keep a long-range perspective. Our lives are short and full of good times, hard times, and flat out bad times. Thankfully what ever time you are in right now, is not the end. Our short lives have seasons, but after this vapor of seasons there is eternity. What I am sowing in life now will determine my eternity. Let's work daily at being faithful, seeking God's wisdom, being obedient to the Lord, and working hard. Rejoice in the life you have, stay away from evil, cling to Jesus.
Ecclesiastes continuously speaks of vexation of the spirit. Is there anything in your life causing turmoil? Are you upset, angry, bitter, worried, anxious, depressed, resentful, unhappy? Those are sure signs of a vexed spirit. One on one time with God is the cure for a vexed spirit. Sometimes our focus has to be changed, our thought process needs to be put in check. Philippians 4:6-7 says, 'Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things:'. What are you thinking on?
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