"Wisdom is always distant and difficult to find."
Ecclesiastes 7:24
Ecclesiastes 7:24
My Take Away
Something Old:
Even when God answers your prayers you can still up miserable if you turn your heart from God. Solomon had it all but turned his heart from God.
Something New:
Ecc. 7:13
God makes things crooked in my life to turn back toward Him, to help me see my need for Him. I have to wonder, if God made Solomon's life crooked but he failed to recognize it and turn back to God. (1 Kings 11: 1-8)
Something to Do:
Keep my heart completely turned toward God and enjoy the life He has blessed me with. Follow His covenants completely.
22 Comments:
Wendy, one of your last remarks put the chorus from that old song "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" in my head! Doesn't it sound like Solomon is just moping around singing THAT??
Michelle, how was the wedding?
I thought that Solomon still had great truths mixed up in all of his Eeyore-like statements. He said some really good things - "Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what He has made crooked?" and there are no good old days (Ecc 7:10) because everything is from Him; one day or place isn't any better than another because they're all created by Him.
Solomon said some things today that just sounded odd to me, like when he said to go eat, drink, and enjoy today because we might as well have some fun with all the work. I don't see anything wrong with fun, but it sounded like he was giving up on life and hope and just settling for whatever he could get. He said that there was nothing past life, so make the most of now. We should make the most of now for Him, but isn't it good to know that we do have hope beyond today, beyond the grave? We don't have to stress about what we do or don't have now, because no matter how much that may be, the best is yet to come!
Happy Monday!
Wendy, welcome back. Your message is so true, that if God is not in the equation, all is meaningless. My trials are for my benefit, to seek complete dependence on Him, and I need to focus my heart on Him alone.
This verse, the very last one, really motivated me today:
Ecc. 11:6 Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.
We never know what special good will come from our action. The result may never be apparent to us, but God sees all. So it is in faith that I must “plant my seed” of good works, always doing my best in what I do, without giving up, trusting in God to do the rest! We are all the hands of God, and it is through us that His law of love is fulfilled here on earth. He is relying on me to do my part today.
I am a bit behind… this weekend I was caught up in working on music liturgy and playing violin for mass. And today is our second son’s birthday—he is 27. Wasn’t it just yesterday that he was 7? We will be traveling to celebrate with him and to see all three sons (and one fiancé) today. It will be my first visit with Michael in a month or so, and I am anxious to touch base and give him a hug. I pray that our time together will be fruitful!
I just appreciate so much the caring of all you friends, with your words of support and your beautiful prayer offerings! Lori, thank you for the prayer, I copied it and will pray over it for all our young adults. It is amazing to find such a loving community of women in the strangest of meeting places—here on a blog! There is a wealth of wisdom and experience in you, and it sure helps to feel those hugs and hear those words.
I have a special little prayer corner for our young adults, written in by name. Susie, thank you for sharing your family struggles. You don’t know how much it helps others to cope. You must be such a strong and faith-filled woman, stay close and continue to share your strength with me! Susie and Franny, and other unspoken moms, our kids are written down for the long haul, because things don’t happen overnight. Michelle, I loved your idea of praying for just one positive step each day. This is the only way I think that things can change with our kids, to just chip away at old engrained patterns with prayer. Then the ways of the world can slowly be replaced with God’s plans for these kids. Thank you so much for all the great ideas and also the suggestion about the prodigal son book, Mary. I will seek this out.
I wish I could comment on all the things you have been sharing, but I know I have been thinking of you all, your kids and husbands, your activities (wedding Michelle! happy birthday week Jen Ren), your prayer requests, and praying for you every day. There are more and more new women joining, and I have added a new section to my prayer art to make room! (For new people who are wondering, instead of a prayer list, I use drawings with everyone’s names). Isn’t it wonderful that this body of learners of the Word is still growing? I love reading your names, family member’s names, your special requests and concerns to pray over, because it helps to individualize each of you, and I feel a bond.
Well, I’m off to plant a seed—I mean bake a birthday cake!
Blessing you all,
Jacque
Hello, dear Sisters in Christ,
HE DID IT!! Our mighty, mysterious, magnificent God worked HIS plan (not our plan A or plan B) for my daughter's wedding. And His was the superior plan, of course. Thank you all for your prayers. They were answered and then some.
It seems our Lord gave my daughter and myself a test this week, with the threatening forecasts! And every time we stumbled into periods of doubt and, yes, despair, some angel of hope would swoop in. Sometimes it was her brother saying "it might not rain", sometimes it was a bridesmaid saying "it will be wonderful, rain or shine," sometimes it was a clever idea for coping, (having the bride, bridesmaid, ring bearers and flower girls bring their rain boots for some whimsical photos), and most often, it was just that "peace that passeth all understanding."
We were uncertain about how the day would play out right up to that morning. In truth, I was praying mostly for everyone to travel safely to the wedding, and for Denise to make it and have the strength to stay until the end. Our God answered our prayers and then some! Denise was one of the first to arrive, and she did have the stamina to make it almost until the end. She and her husband really seemed to enjoy themselves! The skies were so threatening that the ceremony did have to be inside instead of in the field, but the rains held off long enough for photos of the bride and groom, bridal party and families to be taken outside in the beautiful, rolling pasture. It was misty, which really made it look very romantic. Inside the barn, the florist had worked magic and reworked centerpieces into flowers for the ceremony area, which she placed on pedastals. It was beautiful in the barn, and the soaring ceilings gave me, at least, a church-like feeling!
The ceremony was beautiful, with many people tearing up, including the bride, her brother, and her cousin who did one of the readings (Shakespeare's Sonnet 116). I next did a reading from Anne Morrow Lindberg's "A Gift from the Sea", and our God helped me hold it together and read out in a strong, unwavering voice, PTL!!!
Dinner was superb, my nervous husband delivered his oft-practiced toast very nicely, the guests all seemed to enjoy themselves very much, and my daughter's hopes that there would be lots of happy dancing at her wedding also came true. The DJ, a friend of my husband's, was great and there was much, much happy dancing. I don't think the flower girls left the dance floor at all! And the bride found plenty of time to dance,too! (Let me post this and be right back.)
Happy Monday Dear GIG!
The Proverbs is full of wisdom; reading through Ecclesiastes, we are drawn to the realization, that true contentment lies only in full obedience to God. The more “stuff” we have – the more we can “crowd” out God, if He is not Lord of our life. Earthly treasures are not going to bring us happiness. It gets back to: Reading His Word daily, praying, praising and thanking Him throughout our moments - keeping our heart open, as we listen and obey that quiet faint voice deep inside us. Beginning our day with expectancy. Looking for Him and expecting to see Him, and in all things giving Him the glory.
Solomon was all about “me,” and the more “stuff” he acquired, the less pleasure it brought him. Today we are surrounded in a “me” society – it’s all about the earthly “stuff” without God. Solomon’s priorities got mixed up when he went after wealth, & women.
Dear Friends, Our life is just a blink of an eye, - forever we will be with our Father. Aren’t ya just tickled pink that we are seeking God first? As I finished reading our chapters, the verse that came over me was an old and familiar one, one that we all know: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).
I am so very thankful for the gift of you all. Wendy, your love for God’s Word has spread to us all. Daily, it’s a joy to spend time with God, and anticipate Him.
Amy, guess what? Today is my anniversary, too and our husband’s share the same name: Dave! Smile! Happy day!!! It’s 24 (!) for us today!!!
Can’t wait to “see” you Michelle! I bet you’re sleeping in!
Hugs, Lori
PS Jacque, praying for a joyful time with your children as you celebrate together! May your soothing and encouraging words be received by Michael. I pray that his heart is open to feel the love from his family. Bit-by-bit, you will observe God, as He works out his plan. Yesterday, I heard an amazing sermon from a visiting pastor from NY, who spoke on the “wayward son” parable... Usually we can watch our sermons live, but sometimes the visitors are not available. I will pass this info on if it is open for the public to view, as the short 20 min. teaching profoundly changed my thoughts re: this chapter in the Bible that I have read many times. The bottom line: God is working in each of us. He does have a plan and He loves us all. He is pursuing his children till they come back to Him. Faithfully, we pray, and anticipate the joy when we see the glory!
All in all, I am so grateful to the Lord for all the blessings He provided for this wedding. He had it all covered, down to so many details I could write a book! He just had us so in the palm of His hand, always. Thank you Lord, thank you Lord, thank you Lord!!! I love you, and I love all of you, too!
As soon as I can take a breath, I look forward to catching up on the readings, Wendy's vlog, and your posts from the weekend. Right now I have to go get dressed and ready for a short visit from the Bride and Groom before they head to Nantucket for their honeymoon.
Thank you all again for your prayers and your interest in the wedding. I thank God for you, too!
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
PTL!!!! Michelle, once again we're typing at the same time...will check back to see your part 2~as now, i've got to beat the heat and get my legs a walking!!!! smile...summer is definitely here in AZ.
hugs, Lori
I just knew the wedding would be picture perfect. MY heart was happy also to hear about Denise! Thank you, dear Lord.
Of course, twin, we did it again! Imagine your post right in between mind. What a Godwink, eh? Happy Anniversay, dear Sister. One more year to the big 25!!! Bless you and Dave on this special day! Love ya!
Michelle in New England
Michelle - Praise God for the wonderful day He gave you. I wish we could see the pictures! I was thinking of you and your family yesterday. And your Denise was able to go, too. Again, praise God!!!!
It was hard to get one specific thing from the readings today. I really wish they didn't put too many chapters in one day but that's what next year is for, right? :)
I pulled the commentary from Jon Courson's pastor, Pastor Chuck Smith. Here is what he said:
"The conclusions that Solomon came to are conclusions of natural, human reasoning apart from God. Therefore, they are not to be taken as doctrinal truths. You are dealing with a man searching for life apart from God and his conclusions are not doctrinal truths. Except that they do bring to you the end result of natural reasoning, but not divine wisdom. So they show you man apart from God and the despair and hopelessness of man apart from God. And the conclusions that are drawn are in that kind of a background. They're not doctrinal truths, because if you take the step into the spiritual level, you'll come to a far different conclusion of life."
On Eccl 7:1 A good name [is] better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
I took "the good name" to mean a good reputation but Jon Courson had a different take on that. (Now I don't have the book with me so I'm going to paraphrase it) The good name does not mean a good reputation because a reputation can be snatched away easily. Jesus Christ, the epitome of all that is good did not have a good reputation among the Jewish leaders. Courson said a "good name" means our name is good if it's written in the Lambs Book of Life. He said the next phrase confirms this because it says "the day of death is better than the day of one's birth." So, too, if your name is written in the Book of Life. The best thing that you have experienced here on earth is nothing compared to what we will experience in heaven, when we are in His presence. No pain, no suffering, no sorrow, just the whole of eternity to bask in the glory of God. That is something to look forward to!
Have a blessed day everyone!
Hi,everyone,
I am still finding great wisdom in Eccl. Some of these wisdom teachings found in Ecclesiastes 6-7 are: To enjoy what we have rather desiring what we don't have, be content with what you have as you cannot take it with you, sadness has a refining influence, not one person on earth is always good and never sins, patience is better than pride.
And, so much more. This is the first time I am able to see all the wisdom given to Solomon in this chapter. What seems different is Solomon's tone. He is no longer happy as he acquired so many material items.
Jacque, thanks for supporting me.
We must pray for our son's to find life and to make wise choices.
Susie
Wisconsin
Michelle...What a praise...God is so good and I am so happy the wedding turned out to be a joyous one...
Happy Anniversary to those celebrating!
I read Ec 9:10 and I remember someone speaking on that verse...Keeping your blade sharpened..keeping you in the Word and your skills sharpened (memorizing or knowing the Word) to fight Satan--"It helps you succeed"....If I remember the details I will share...
Have a beautiful day...
Sue
Michelle I was happy to hear about your daughter's wonderful wedding! Congratulations to you all!
Happy anniversary to Lori and Amy. Hope you have a joyous celebration!
Ecclesiastes 7:24 caught my eye this a.m. "Whatever wisdom may be, it is far off and most profound -- who can discover it?"
My NIV Study Bible then led me to Job 28:20-28. Specifically vs. 28 says, "And he (God) said to man, 'The fear of the Lord -- that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'"
It sounds so easy...to respect God and shun evil. Yet as a sinner, I'm always a work in progress. I am so thankful for this group as we dig farther into God's Word!
Happy Monday!
Good Morning All,
My post of yesterday is lost in cyberspace. First time that happened. Perhaps my thoughts were mine alone and not meant to be shared??????
As I read of all your activities i.e. graduations, visits, weddings I am reminded that there is a time for everything under heaven. Perhaps that is why I am so insistent on "making memories" because the wonderful ones sustain me in this part of my life.
I look forward to my time with you all every day and sharing God's word and love. Can't believe how very much I have learned from the OT. My new is that every prophesy mentioned in there has come true when the time was right. So I am comforted in the fact that those of the future will also come true when His time is right. Not my time, but His.
Love to all - both the "old" friends and welcome to the new.....
Dixie in Florida
My thoughts on today's reading is that the theme is about really living, knowing that death is imminent for all of us. And not in a morbid way, but reality; and not living like this is all there is, to enjoy your life ("pleasure is from the hand of God"Eccl 1:24)And I think these pleasures are enjoying your people-family& friends, nature, animals. Making the most of it all; live right, be wise, love well, work smart.
I don't mean to sound so simplistic, but I lost my 31 yr old daughter a few years ago suddenly to heart failure. Life is a "vapor, here today and gone tomorrow", and I treasure all the ones I love, knowing how fragile this life is, but take such comfort and joy knowing that this is not the end. Praise the Lord!! And how cool that not only will we see loved ones that have gone before us, but friends we have only met though internet blogs:-)
Love from TX ~Nancy
Hello all,
Wendy, your teaching today was really good. Solomon refused to be whole heartedly devoted to the Lord and you can hear it in his writing. Contrast that to his father who, in spite of many mistakes, was still a man after God's own heart. Even when he was down and everything sounded terrible, he turned back and praised God and his writings were not focused on self, but on God. That is where I want to be!
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of having Jennifer Renee join me for church. It was great to have a sweet time of fellowship afterwards together. We stood outside of my church on a beautiful sunny day and thought of Michelle and the forcast for the wedding and hoped and prayed that all went well. So glad to hear that it was wonderful!
Happy Anniversary Lori and Amy! We celebrate ours on Friday!
Have a wonderful day! My windows are open and it is a beautiful day here in VA!
Michelle
testing testing
testing testing
I am so full of joy this morning, that I need to share it with my GIGs.
I have read Ecc many times before, but I am getting so much more out of it this time. When the words leap off the page and you see things you have never seen before, how exciting.
Ecc. 7:28 Solomon says, "though I have search repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for." then 8:17 he says," I realized that on one can discover everything God is doing under the sun." God gave Solomon wisdom, but it wasn't enough wisdom. REALLY!!!. Solomon says that it is never enough money, so I guess wisdom would be the same. But aren't we tired of it. Sure am glad I don't have to spend a day with him, listening to this over and over. Lord help me to never want more of your blessings that you give me. You are my provider, father, husband, heavenly home builder - and on and on.
The other thing that has made me so joyous today is about my baby daughter. When my children were at home I got caught in a church that believes that unless you are perfect you cannot be saved. If you are not praying at the time of your death, you won't go to Heaven. Isn't that terrible?!!So my Bd knowing she couldn't be perfect had just quit trying. The first of the year, I ask God to give me courage and strength to pray that He would do what ever He needed to do to bring my daughter and her family back to Him. Neither her nor her husband had jobs for 9 months, and then they were 1/3 less $ than the ones they had. In April I talked to them about relying on God for these things, because what they were doing really wasn't helping. It is better, but they are so close to losing their house. My BD decided that she was going to at least try. And she has. This morning she told me that the preacher was preaching just to her yesterday. He ask her,(while preaching) why she was there. What was the real reason. To love God, or to just get what she could by giving Him a little. Ask her to get real, and give Him her first fruits of her life. I told her about the NLT Bible, and I have been reading to her some of the things we discover with Wendy. She agreed to it and she will be with the rest of us listening.
Wendy, I wish I lived close enough to you that I could clear out your laundry room (sure glad you have one so all the stuff is in there). I also know that there would be so many of us there that we would be on top of one another getting things done. But we all do understand that your first fruits are to be given to God, and then to your family, but the left overs are for us, and they usually are just right. May God give you an extra blessing not only today, but for all the times you bless us.
Donna - TX
Donna in TX,
Praise GOD for the work He is doing in your daughter. Wow! Praying that she continues to seek Him and rely on Him alone. She is going to be so on fire for God, you won't even believe it!
Michelle,
How wonderful that you get to meet with another sister. I can't wait to meet y'all someday.
Amy & Lori, Happy Anniversary to both of you. May God continue to bless your marriages.
Afternoon GIGs~
What great news Michelle about the wedding to log and find this afternoon! PTL! I am like G&P, wish we could see those pics :)
Lori and Amy Happy Anniversary!
Wendy the teaching today was so good as always. I loved at the beginning when you were speaking about the weekend and you said that balance comes from daily dependence on Christ, not having all our laundry done, our house perfect and our lawn perfectly manicured. I needed to hear that today and that is a lesson God is really working on me one here lately about leaning on Him every moment. Speaking with Him every moment and dwelling in His presence every moment, not just in the morning in my quiet time or during those prayer times I spend on my knees. I am a work in progress, but I have really paid attention to that today.
I had two things that jumped off the page at me today. One was Ecc 7:12b, "only wisdom can save your life." True wisdom, the wisdom from God's Word and Jesus Christ is the only thing that can save our live. Save us for eternity but not just that, save us in our day to life. I know I need saving from myself each and every day to walk in the path of light and truth and not walk in sin and destructive choices. I was listening to a song by Chris Tomlin earlier called "Give Us Clean Hands." The words are:
We bow our hearts
We bend our knees
Oh Spirit, come
Make us humble.
We turn our eyes
From evil things
Oh Lord we cast
down our idols
So give us clean hands
Give us pure hearts
Let us not life our souls
to another
I am drawn to place other idols before the Lord if I am not seeking Him and filling myself up each and every morning with His wisdom in His Word and in prayer. His wisdom is the only thing that can save our lives! Today was our fast day over on my blog and so I prayed this for our loved ones as well. May they not lift their souls to anything but Jesus and may they humble themselves before Him.
The other verse that I was drawn to is Ecc 7:13a, "Accept the way God does things." We won't always know why God does things like He does and His reasons. Someday we will understand when we see Him face to face. Right now we need to completely trust Him in all that goes on in our lives.
Hope everyone is having a great day! Busy cleaning day here in our home. Almost done, just need to vacuum and floors and get the sheets back on the bed. I get to go visit with some high school friends and their kids tomorrow which should be tons of fun! I have not seen them in about 15 years. I am so looking forward to it :)
Blessings,
Brandee, TN
Donna, I am praising along with G&P! That is great that God is drawing your daughter back to Him. It is hard to pray the "God do whatever you must do prayers," but sometimes that is all that works. I pray that for my husband.
Praise God for answered prayers!!! Michelle, I am so glad that everything went for the wedding. My husband & I are in the Berkshires so I knew about the stormy weather forecast for Sunday. Each time I saw a glimpse of the sun I prayed that the Lord would bring it to you & the wedding. So glad it went well!! Happy memories!
Happy Anniversary Lori, Amy, & Michell(VA)
Blessings & Peace, Mary
Whew! I have tried posting all day and I kept getting a really strange box with my post inside of it...and could never get it to "publish"....now I've basically forgotten what I've wanted to say; but just wanted to see if this time it would post. I see someone else earlier was having trouble too?
When I read today's reading I kept thinking I am so glad that Jesus came as the perfect wise teacher to make a way for us so our time isn't wasted here on earth. Those who don't know Him are wasting their time and don't even know it. I find this sad. God has given us a job; to spread His good news. Amen!
Morgen
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