Ecclesiastes 9 (1)

Pray Psalm 115.9-11.
O Israel, trust in the LORD;
He is their help and their shield.
O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD;
He is their help and their shield.
You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD;
He is their help and their shield.

Read Ecclesiastes 9.1, 2.

Prepare.
1. What does Solomon say about all the works of men? What does he mean by that?

2. By “one event” does Solomon mean any specific event? Explain.

Meditate.
The experiences of life are really no different for those who live “under heaven” and those who live “under the sun”. Everybody knows and experiences love and hatred; everyone is involved in various kinds of works. The difference lies in one’s perspective.

No one can know what a day might bring, whether good or evil, love or hate, joy or tragedy. But the righteous man – the wise man – knows that, come what may, his life is in the hand of a loving, caring, all-powerful God, Who knows the end from the beginning and does all things well.

The wise man, therefore, is unaffected by changing circumstances; he trusts in God and follows Him no matter what. The wicked and unclean – those who do not sacrifice to God or vow to Him – they all are also in the hand of God; “all things come alike” to them, except that they don’t have a large enough perspective on life to be able to rest in the goodness and sovereignty of God. When adversity arises, they will scramble to secure whatever high ground of happiness they think might give them peace, if only for a time. But “under heaven” is the way to a life of peace, contentment, hope, and joy, even in the midst of adversity. And if there is one thing Rehoboam must surely know, it is any ruler is bound to face adversity, uncertainty, and threats to his and his nation’s wellbeing. Only by considering in his heart that he and his kingdom are in the hand of God, can he expect to know the peace and confidence that God works all things together for good, for the righteous and wise.

This is the great strength of the Christian faith in an age of uncertainty. Peter says (1 Pet. 3.15) that the hope in which we live, grounded as it is in the glory and promises of God (Rom. 5.1, 2; Rom. 8.28), enables us to exude confidence, contentment, joy, and peace to people who are tossed and dashed by every changing circumstance. When they see our peace, which we have by resting in the hand of God, they will surely ask a reason for the hope that is within us. We must make it our business to cultivate a life of witness so that our words of witness will have maximum power.

Our message to this age is simple, as the bumper sticker says: “No Jesus? No peace. Know Jesus? Know peace.”

Reflect.
1. How does knowing that all our works are “in the hand of God” affect those who trust in Him? How does it help them in doing all their work?

2. How would you counsel a new believer to prepare for and deal with adversity? How would that be different from what he did before he came to faith in Christ?  

3. How can Christians bear effective witness to their unbelieving friends and neighbors in uncertain times?

Except that our belief in Christ raises us up to heaven and promises eternity to our souls, the physical conditions of life are the same for us as for the brutes. Jerome (347-420), Letter 108.27

Help me to prepare for adversity today, Lord, so that when it comes, I will…

Pray Psalm 115.9-13.
How do you expect the Lord to bless you today? Give Him thanks in advance, and renew your trust in Him.

Sing Psalm 115.9-13.
Psalm 115.9-13 (Plainfield - "Nothing But the Blood of Jesus")
All who trust in Jesus yield – ever to His Name be glory! –
find in Him their help and shield – ever to Your Name be glory!
O Israel, trust the Lord!  He helps us evermore!
Fear Him obey His Word: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Blessings from our gracious Lord – ever to Your Name be glory –
will attend us evermore – ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless all who fear You, Lord, all who obey Your Word,
all who Your Name adore: Ever to Your Name be glory!

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).