Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - Strength in Numbers

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.  For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.  Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?   And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
  
Message: Two are better than One

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: 

Today's message is simple, as many are. The Preacher (writer of Ecclesiastes), through his travels and life journey, is now simply making the statement that, "Two are better than one" and then following this statement shows why this is so, giving a few examples. 

To start, the Tabletalk reading for the day made the comment that after each day of the creation story that God created, the end of the day was marked with the words, what God has made is good, but in regards to the creation of man, the remark was it is not good for man to be alone. We need each other, but more specifically, though we continue to need each other and community, the relationship between a man and a woman is unlike any other relationship, and this is why God made sure that man knew that the solution to him was not another person like him, but instead a woman. The woman completed the man. 

And yet, this particular passage is not necessarily communicating just about men and women, but it is putting forth the idea that two people, such as two men or two women or a man and a woman, two people are better than one. And our lives are a testimony of this. We do not want to do life alone. We want to have a friend and often young people, my children, are drawn to have at least one very good friend. And having that one person that shares your interests and that you walk with each day is very important to our lives. 

And this continues throughout life. As I go out and witness or share faith with others, having my friend with me makes it much easier. We are there to help each other if one stumbles. We challenge each other. There is teamwork in the discussion. We are drawn to fellowship with other people, seeking accountability and encouragement from one another. 

They have a good return for their labor
One thing I notice around the house is how much easier it is to do the dishes when 2 people are working on it together or how much easier it is to do a project outside. It just gets easier with 2 people versus just one. It's a simple concept. It's very simple. Yet, it is something I need to be reminded. 

If either falls, the one will lift up his companion
This is what makes labor or life or anything easier, one is there to pick us up.  

If two lie down together they keep warm
This reference is not necessarily for a husband and wife, but rather two people traveling together. It is better to have someone to lie next to, to give comfort and to keep warm. Again, we need each other. It makes life more bearable. 

If one overpowers one then two can resist him
Once again, if two people are present, when one is attacked, the other person is there to come to the aid. This is key because often the goal of any group is to divide people and make them to have discord among one another. Our children, can do this, in trying to pit mom against dad. The desire is to get what they want and so they 

Three are even better
I have often heard this phrase used to say that with man and woman together, then add in the Holy Spirit (thus three) and the cord is not quickly torn apart. The only problem with this is if the Holy Spirit is present, the cord would never be torn apart. But, in the context it really is simply saying that two are better than one and three are even better. 

Promise: Don't go it alone. It's better, any way you slice it, to be with others. 

Proverbs 17:9-10 - Discerning Rebuke

Proverbs 17:9-10
He who conceals a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.  A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.

Message: Being wise with our words

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

He who conceals a transgression seeks love
He who conceals a sin or hides a sin or covers a sin or does not bring that sin to light -- in his brother or sister takes the course which leads to gain. We live in a world that loves to find wrong in others. It is presidential election time and the goal often is to find something in the life of a candidate to discredit him. It is to find something that will make him look bad. Right now, we have a candidate that is speaking matter of fact, but I find that what people love the most is he assaults people and he brings to light the things that they have done wrong. It is kindness and forbearance that we forgive one another and not just forgive one another, but ignore sins. Verse 9 speaks of friends and so this phrase is even more talking about our attitude towards each other. 

He who repeats a matter separate intimate friends
How often have I in my life brought up a sin from my own kids that they have done in the past and held it against them once again? Too many times. I am embarrassed at how often I have done this. I am not to catalog sins so as to add more fuel to the fire and make people feel worse. My goal should be to encourage and mention things that can build others up. I am to be kind in my speech. I am to be encouraging. O God, how poor I have been at this. How wretched I am. Help me to learn to praise more and thank people more and forgive more. Forgiveness needs to be the mark of my life. But, I should not think this covers all sins. The point here is the minor sins and minor infractions that really do not need to be brought up again and again.

A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding
If a rebuke is needed, then it goes deeper, or will have more of an affect on one who has understanding.  A word is enough for the wise. If I am a person that has understanding, then rebukes or a harsh word will be more palpable. This seems like a personal characteristic at times. As I consider my children and how they respond to criticism; some seem to handle it better than others. And I think of employees that I have as well. Some accept the criticism better than others.

than a hundred blows into a fool
But a fool can't take even a hundred blows and come out unchanged. Lord, there are others that do not accept any sort of criticism. For the cypress tree, the more it is watered, the more it is withered. And even more of an issue is the person that has become so callous to correction. The horse has to have a bit and bridle in its mouth in order to be moved to change. Great lengths are necessary for some people to even hope that you can get a change out of them. 


Promise: The Bible over and over talks about our speech and its importance. I am to speak the truth in love, not seeking to crush sensitive souls but to build them up in Christ.

Psalm 119:57-64 - Not Forgetting God's Law

Psalm 119:57-64
The Lord is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words. I sought Your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to Your word. I considered my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies. I hastened and did not delay to keep Your commandments. The cords of the wicked have encircled me, but I have not forgotten Your law. At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You
because of Your righteous ordinances. I am a companion of all those who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts. The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes.

Message: Not Forgetting God's Law

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

The previous section of Psalm 119 focused on God's comfort in times of trouble and how He comforts us through His commands and Law. In some ways this section begins with a response. Psalm 119:49-54 was all about what God does for us and then in 55-56 there begins a response to this: O Lord, I remember Your name in the night, and keep Your law.  This has become mine, that I observe Your precepts. The Psalmist is responding and saying Lord, your promises, your words, they affect me. I remember You. I keep Your Law. I observe Your precepts. And now the Psalmist continues. 

Immediately, there is something interesting in this prayer. As I have looked at and studied Psalms, I have noticed that it is tutoring me on how to pray. In these verses, what stands out to me is how when I pray I don't talk about myself and how I am keeping God's promises. It's interesting, but all my praying is fairly focused on "God, you are great; God, I am bad; God, fix these people's lives." But, what is not there is:

"God, I am following You; I am keeping your commandments. I have turned myself to Your ways and following after You and I have kept your commandments. People try to attack me and distract me from you, but I seek after you. I am friends with those that follow You. You are loving. Teach me Your statutes. Teach me Your ways." 

Wow, those words are almost difficult to even voice, even put together. It seems very odd to even put those words on paper; that those words would even come out of my mouth more than once. But, this is what is written and maybe should be a guide for me in praying. They are odd words, because so little of my praying is what I am doing to follow the Lord and instead my praying is what I need to do better or what I am not doing. But, that isn't right. I have the Lord living in me and it is His power in me, enabling me to do good works. The Holy Spirit is present and working and I should rest not on my ability, but on God through me, in Christ. 

One more note: This Psalm begins with The Lord is my portion. This is a phrase I see often, but never am real sure what it means. Portion to me is a segment or a piece of cake or a serving when talking about food consumption. So, to say the Lord is my portion seems odd. But, the Lord is mine. The Lord is my inheritance. The Lord is my sustenance. The Lord is my everything. He is all I need. In a world of trouble and discouragement, God is who I need and all I need.


Promise: Be confident in the Word of God. Be confident in the Gospel and Gospel alone to save lives and change people and change the church.

Psalm 119:49-56 - The Word of God in Times of Trouble

Psalm 119:49-56

Remember the word to Your servant, in which You have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me.  The arrogant utterly deride me, yet I do not turn aside from Your law.  I have remembered Your ordinances from of old, O Lord, and comfort myself.  Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.  Your statutes are my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.  O Lord, I remember Your name in the night, and keep Your law.  This has become mine, that I observe Your precepts.

Message: The Word of God in times of trouble

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

In this part of Psalm 119, the longest Psalm and chapter of the Bible, the psalmist remembers the word that has been given to him, here referring to the scriptures given thus far in the Old Testament, but today being the full revelation of scripture, and the word provides aid to him in times of trouble. This is my comfort in my affliction. God's word is where we can go to revive us and give us comfort. 

But, what I find interesting in this passage is the word of God that gives him hope is more specifically, the law, God's ordinances, His statutes, His precepts. It is true that the words of God's word chronicle the Hope we have in the future, hope for a better place, a different place where intimate communion with God will be an everyday occurrence. But, how is that God's laws and ordinances and statutes are able to give us comfort in our affliction? 

Here the Psalmist states, "I have remembered Your ordinances from of old, O Lord, and comfort myself." God's promises and words have been there throughout His life. His word provides us what we need. I always think of Proverbs 3:5-6 and how it reminds me that simply trusting in God will make my path straight. There is comfort in the way God has set up this world. In the garden, Adam and Eve had everything that they needed but still got lured away. They believed the serpent that they were to doubt God, and so they lusted for power, and for the greed that they could be like God and have everything. They had what they needed but they believed the lie that because they didn't have the entire picture, they didn't have everything. God had already given them a command and that command protects them. To this day God commands us. The 10 commandments as a reminder are not suggestions, but they are there to protect us. How often have I told my children that my wife and I really have their best interest in mind. They want to see it all but we are asking them to trust us, that we see it all. 

This to me is what it means to trust God and His word and His command. His command that they could eat everything in the garden but not one tree had their best in mind. God provides us with everything that we need. His commandments of loving Him, keeping the Sabbath holy, obeying our parents, are all there for our protection. They give us comfort that God is in charge and His ways are the best ways. 

Promise: God redeems us through His hand of providence, namely in providing His Son, Himself, our righteousness, so that we can enter His presence for all eternity. We have all we need in Him.

Ecclesiastes 4:4-6 - Pursuing Contentment

Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind. The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

Message: Pursuing Contentment

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 message is entitled contentment, which for me, is a difficult concept. I am not sure what it means to be content. I think I know what it means from an economic stance. I need to be content with what God has provided me and not feel like I need more. In fact, it seems like in life, the more I have the worse off I am. Every time I get a raise, the money is gone before I know it, being spent on other commitments.

But, contentment in life, on a time standpoint, as far as what I spend my time on, is also difficult. In my present job I could easily stay at work all night, but I know that I need to leave the office and get home. At home, I wonder how much time each day should really be spent in relaxation, sitting in front of a screen watching something. That is where I struggle to this day, often not real satisfied with just sitting in front of a TV, so I can get through such and such TV show that my wife and I have decided we like. I think about reading a book instead during that time or even doing a Bible Study. I think about the early days of dating and courting and how much time was spent in the Word, and now, it happens individually, but not very often as a couple.

In my TableTalk, the write-up begins with this idea of seeking contentment or balance in our lives.

The Preacher here in verse 4 brings up an interesting point to begin by stating, "every labor and every skill which is done is rivalry between a man and his neighbor." To me, he may be using this to set up a point because I am not sure this is the focus of man, but rather there is the potential of man to think that his work is basically the result of envy and we work because we want something better than our neighbor. I think I work hard to work for the Lord and provide for my family. Sure, there are times when I think my providing isn't enough and that "isn't enough" thought often is there because I look out on the landscape at other people and what they have been able to provide for their families and immediately, I think what I am doing is not good enough (and yet more is not always what I think is needed, but rather the right balance).

After this statement he remarks that this is vanity and striving after wind. This makes sense, if our desire is simply to do better than our neighbor then this is a losing battle. We will never be satisfied and even if we think we are accomplishing it, what does it matter, but temporal enjoyment.

So, that is the laborer, but then the Preacher mentions the fool or the lazy man. The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. The fool does nothing but sit idly. This is the person that equally disturbs me. This is the person that seems content to live off the government or their parents or both. If given the opportunity this person is going to do whatever it takes to basically do thinks that feed his flesh. The flesh likes to be entertained and fed -- once again spent time doing things that are fleeting and will pass away. In the end, the laborer and the fool or lazy person have the same outcome in their lives. They both are living an empty life of seeking after things that don't really matter. The hard worker amasses toys, the lazy person amasses nothing, but both are seeking things that will result in little. 

Verse 6 provides the conclusion. What is it that we should desire in life? One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind. It is better to possess what you can handle or what your one hand can hold versus living life wanting to fill up both hands or even folding his hands (verse 5). Rest is important in our lives and rest is often about trust. I should work hard six days and then the 7th rest and feel fine that I am resting because I do not have to be busy all the time.  

Promise: Pursue contentment, accepting what God has provided.

Psalm 113 - God Highly Exalted

Psalm 113

Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forever. From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is high above all nations; His glory is above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high, Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of His people. He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!

Message: God Highly Exalted

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

Purpose
This Psalm has been described as a Psalm used in churches settings or public worship as a call to worship and praise. It is interesting how this is used or even needed whereby something is read that brings people together and aligns them in bringing themselves before the throne of God.

Psalm 113 is one of the Hallel psalms grouped with Psalm 113-118 and was sung by the ancient Jews before the Passover meal, and is often used today. Hallel means, "praise El (God)."

Content
The call takes place in the first 3 verses: Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forever. From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised. The name of the Lord is to be praised. The name of the Lord is to be set apart from everything else in life. The name of the Lord is a constant in our lives from the start of the day to the end. No matter what occurs, the name of the Lord is to be praised. These words make sense that they need to be sung because we get off track in this world; I get distracted. Yesterday, even in going to church, I was feeling the loss of someone and not in the right frame of mind. This Psalm would have helped me get myself focused on worship. 

This Psalm begins with the words of praise and then gives the reason we are to be motivated to praise Him.

The Lord is high above all nations; His glory is above the heavens. The Lord rules over all creation. The Lord is our true commander and chief. He is our president. He ordains life. He is My King. He is My leader. He is the one I am to bow down to and worship.

Who is like the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high, Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth? There is no one like Him. God is not simply someone we insert into our lives; there is nothing like Him. He is our great creator. I need to understand my place in this world. I need to understand my position.

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of His people. He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord! No matter the position or condition of man, the Lord exalts man. God makes us important. Man has a desire within him to be exalted. Man wants to be aligned as one of the leaders, as being in charge. I see this everywhere. We want to be on the winning team. We want to be a part of the group that knows all the answers. We want to be part of the group that knows better and more than anyone else. We want to be special and distinct. This is innately what man wants. Man wants to be victor. But, man does not place himself in this position, but is the Lord that makes us the chosen ones. He is the one that sets us apart. And this is why I praise Him. This moves me to praise Him because of who He has made me to be. The Lord chooses me out of His grace and mercy, not because He sees some greatness in me. He elects me and sets me a part. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! 

Promise: I come to him each day as empty, as needing Him. I have no righteousness of my own. Apart from Him I am nothing. He redeems me. This is what I do. I come to him on bend knee. He has made me glad. 

Proverbs 16:1 - Sovereign over our Speech

Proverbs 16:1 - The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

Message: Sovereign over our Speech

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

God's sovereign work has always been a tough concept for me to grasp. I wonder how much is man's responsibility and how much is God's. I approach it as an either/or idea. But, is it all or nothing or is there a different way to understand it? If God is completely sovereign and has ordained everything, down to the tiniest detail then man does not have free will and man's choices do not really matter. If this were the case, I think there would be no need for any commands from God, in the Bible. Why would he command us to do something if the outcome of our choices is already predetermined? Yes, this is an interesting question. 

I believe that the Holy Bible is complete and everything in it is there for a reason and everything in it is written for me. And so as I read it, I need to be thinking about how it applies to me and what it means to me. The biblical authors convey peoples thoughts, feelings, and their actions and their reasons for them. And the Biblical authors also convey God's thoughts and actions. They do coexist. The difficulty I have always seen is to what degree do they coexist. It is like there is a perfect explanation I am waiting for. So the authors put forth that man is fully responsible for his actions and yet that the Lord's way is comprehensive and he establishes everything that ever happens. 

This verse in Proverbs 16 expresses those two ideals. In the first half of the verse, "the plans of the heart belong to man." Man makes plans. He sets out a course for what he wants to do, needs to do, would like to do. I get up in the morning, I think about my day and I think about how my day will be ordered. I think about what I will work on during that day. Will I clean the garage or sit on the couch? Will I kiss my wife or not? Will I praise my kids or not see a reason to praise them and say nothing? Throughout the day I am making decisions, I am making plans. Right now, I had a choice, to read the Word, think about, ponder it or I could have simply gone outside to work or into the garage to work. But, I chose to start my day in God's word because I want to connect with God and learn from Him and meet Him. 

But then the 2nd half of the verse hits me, "the answer of the tongue is from the Lord." There is not simply a plan, there is also an answer. There is a result. There is an outcome. These outcomes fit into his will. This is the reality. God has a will. He has an outcome. He has a result. 

And this is my conclusion: I do not know how those two ideas co-exist. They do. Paul teaches that He "works all things according to the counsel of his will." Paul says, "All things work together for good." I studied Ecclesiastes 3 to see that there is time for events under the sun. These times will happen. God wants me to enjoy myself, but also recognize that he is in control. There was the study of Proverbs 21:1 - The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes. God moves, but man remains accountable. The Bible is clear that God listens to our prayers (I will say of late I have been thinking more about how I am to pray and what words I am to use). In October I looked at this verse from Proverbs 16 as well, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." There is the same idea. Man makes a choice, but its outcome if from the Lord. 

All I know is I must keep going. I must keep studying God and His word. I must keep trying to improve my ways and work on my life. God has given me the Holy Spirit to help me in my life. I must continue to get to know God and live for Him. And through it all, through all of the circumstances, God is in charge of the outcomes and results of my life. He understand why it all works together the way it does. He knows why my family can have great times together and then why my son fails a class at school. He keeps me safe and yet when someone or something dies and is no longer in my life, I can still trust Him. This is His world. I am His vessel in His world. I am here for Him.

Promise: At the end of every decision, every plan, every outcome, I look to heaven and I say, "This is your outcome. Teach me to accept it and trust You through it and show me what my response to your outcome should be. My desire is to glorify You in this world.