CONSIDER GOD'S WORK

 Ecclesiastes 7:13-20

CONSIDER GOD'S WORK

   

    "The Preacher", as the author of Ecclesiastes is often called, generally looks at life in its meaninglessness, especially world in its fallen condition. He argues that the ultimate in life is finding value in God's eternal purpose for one noting that wealth, sex, power or pleasure are altogether vanity and void of any true meaning. In today's passage, he provides two sided to the coin; in each case; 

(1) The day of prosperity and the day of adversity (v.14);

(2) The just perishing in his righteousness, whereas the wicked               man's life is prolonged in his wickedness  (v.15 - 17). 

    He advises us not to be over righteous, however, the righteousness which we have received from Christ by grace through faith could never be too much. His second advice, "be not wise over much" is an admonition against self - conceit, which he argues could lead to untimely death. Finally he advises, "Do not be over wicked", in other words, don't escalate your sins by your foolishness which could lead to premature death (v.17). However this does not encourage any measure of wickedness at all.

    He concludes by referring us again to wisdom, which is to fear God (v. 19-20) as a way to handle the whole vanity of life. Beloved as we get into the last quarter of the year, let us fear God by taking Him seriously in the midst of life's limitations.

PRAYER:    Merciful Lord, gives us grace to seek Your guidance in our journey through this fallen world.