Ecclesiastes 10:4 - Calming the Ruler

Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the ruler’s temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.

Message: Calming the Ruler

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: This passage is addressing a subject that I have recently been looking at via Jerry Bridges book, "Respectable Sins." In the book, Bridges talks about sins that we often don't call out as sins because we are often too focused on the sins that society is currently in the midst of redefining as acceptable behavior or the sins that society still agrees with the Bible of being unacceptable. Thus, we grade sin and place some sins at a higher level than others. It is a big danger because in the process we tend to live lives in which we don't think we are doing much wrong and we aren't in need daily of growth and renewal by the power of the Gospel. Starting in chapter 8 he is now addressing the sins mentioning ungodliness, anxiety, worry, and discontent.

The idea of discontent is a sin that to be honest I never called out as sin. I know Paul admonishes us to be content in every situation but I never thought the reverse was a sin. It makes sense though because God's sovereignty extends to situations in our lives that we call challenging. And perhaps God wants to do something in our lives through a difficult situation.

In this verse, Ecclesiastes 10:4, it mirrors this idea of not being content, If the ruler’s temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.What a great bit of encouragement to even see this text in the Bible.The idea being that the way we respond to a temper from a boss or ruler is not fleeing, but rather staying put. We need to stay committed to our position and allow our commitment to be a healing to the offenses of our boss. In time the bosses wrath will subside The answer is to remain calm, not bolt for the exit. 

Let's be clear, though, this doesn't work in every situation. We must ask if evil is being committed here by a leader. But, it is okay for my feelings to be hurt. I can be reviled, as Jesus was, and yet continue to trust in the Lord through the process.

Promise: Trust Christ to help us respond appropriately to all people.

Prayer: Lord, help me to weather the storm of unwelcome words and attitudes from those that are over me. I admit God that too often I too quick to take tough words and seek relief through telling others about it. Forgive me for this and using those situations to continue to make it out that I'm the better person. Help me Lord to simply trust in you and continue to walk with you and seek my refuge in you instead of other people.

Jesus Calling: June 21

     Wait patiently with Me while I bless you. Don't rush into My Presence with time-consciousness gnawing at your mind. I dwell in timelessness: I am, I was, I will always be. For you, time is a protection, you're a frail creature who can handle only twenty-four-hour segments of life. Time can also be a tyrant, ticking away relentlessly in your mind. Learn to master time, or it will be your master.
     Though you are time-bound creature, seek to meet Me in timelessness. As you focus on My Presence, the demands of time and tasks will diminish. I will bless you and keep you, making My Face shine upon you graciously, giving  you Peace. 

Micah 7:7
English Standard Version 

But as for me, I will look to the Lord;
    I will wait for the God of my salvation;
    my God will hear me.

Revelations 1:8

English Standard Version

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Numbers 6:24-26
English Standard Version

²⁴ The Lord bless you and keep you;
²⁵ the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

My Prayer (2019) 
Lord, teach me to be patient. I'm in a rush to get rewards and what I want. Help me to wait for You and as I do continue to look to You. You aren't going anywhere. You are near. You will hear me. You will bless me and keep me and shine on me. You have been O so gracious to me. You have given me peace now for all eternity. Lord, I need more of a thankful heart each day. In this world that tells me I need more all the time and must be satisfied at every moment, I need to be more thankful of all that You have already given me.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: May 3

     You cannot serve two masters. If I am truly your Master, you will desire to please Me above all others. If pleasing people is your goal, you will be enslaved to them. People can be harsh taskmasters when you give them this power over you.
     If I am the Master of your life, I will also be your First Love. Your serving Me is rooted and grounded in My vast, unconditional Love for you. The lower you bow down before Me, the higher I lift you up into intimate relationship with Me. The Joy of living in My Presence outshines all other pleasures. I want you to reflect My joyous Light by living in increasing intimacy with Me. 

Matthew 6:24
English Standard Version

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

Verse Thoughts - I have always struggled with this verse, not so much the understanding, but the application. Two masters? I feel like I have more than 2 masters - God, money, security, fame, entertainment, health. Somehow I live in this idea that I can have it all. So I'm still working on the mindset that He is to be my first love, my Master. 

Revelation 2:4
English Standard Version

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Ephesians 3:16-17 
English Standard Version

¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,


Psalm 16:11
English Standard Version

You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

My Prayer (2018)
O Lord, I do know you must be my master for my life to be all that it can be. But I struggle with this. I often thank you for trials because they remind me that I am not in control. Keep teaching me. Keep training me. I want You to dwell in me, be rooted and grounded in your love, have power through the Holy Spirit in me. Help me to acknowledge You throughout my day, in whatever I experience. I am lost without You. Thank you right now for the abundance of providence you have bestowed on me. Help me to not just make my surroundings more beautiful but to help others in need with that which you have given me.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.