SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 4/17/2013
9:36 AM
My Worship Time Focus: He Tested
Life
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference:
Message of
the verses: We begin the second chapter of Ecclesiastes
in Today’s SD, and also the third chapter from Dr. Wiersbe’s commentary on this
wonderful book in which he calls “Be Satisfied.” The third chapter is entitled “Disgusted with
Life,” which is something that I am sure we all are from time to time as we
live on this earth under the sun.
Introduction: Sublime
and ridiculous are opposites and in this chapter we will see both of these put
into practice by Solomon as he uses wisdom given to him by God to conduct
experiments for answers to having the “good life.” Dr. Wiersbe concludes his introductory
commentary on this second chapter of Ecclesiastes by stating “In this chapter,
Solomon recorded three stages in his experiments as he searched for a
satisfying meaning to life.”
1. He Tested Life (Eccl. 2:1-11)
It was because of all of
the means that Solomon had at his disposal that he was able to conduct the
experiments that he desired to conduct, and the first one that we will look at
is the experiment of testing his own heart to see how he would respond to two
very common experiences of life: enjoyment which is seen in verses one through
three and then employment which is seen in verses four through eleven.
Enjoyment (vs. 1-3):
“1 ¶ I said to myself, "Come
now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself." And behold, it too
was futility. 2 I said of laughter,
"It is madness," and of pleasure, "What does it
accomplish?" 3 I explored with my
mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely,
and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the
sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives.”
As we search the Scriptures about enjoying life and the
creation that God has made we will find that God desires us to enjoy life. In early Jewish life in the nation of Israel
one of the things that they looked forward to was the different feasts that
they would go to, and one of the ones they probably looked forward to the most
had to do with having good crops so that they could enjoy the fruit of their
labor. There is nothing wrong with this
and even Paul while writing to Timothy wrote “Instruct those who are rich in
this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty
of riches, but on God, who
richly supplies us with all things to enjoy (1 Tim. 6:17).”
I think that one does not have to have too vivid an imagination
to see Solomon having a lavish party with wonderful entertainers and a supply
of good wine to conduct this experiment, but in the end it was as to him like
soap bubbles that burst with nothing left.
Drinking and laughter are not what is needed to have a fulfilled life
and so Solomon could cross this off his list and go onto the next
experiment.
In the word today many are seeking pleasure, pleasure
through things that will only let them down, things like drink, drugs, sex, gambling,
money, or fame. I am sure that I missed
some from this list. We know that there
is nothing wrong with innocent fun, however the person who builds his life on
seeking pleasure is bound to be disappointed in the end.
Reason # one on why we will be disappointed in the
end. Dr. Wiersbe writes “For one thing,
pleasure-seeking usually becomes a selfish endeavor; and selfishness destroys
true joy. People who live for pleasure
often exploit others to get what they want, and they end up with broken
relationships as well as empty hearts. People are more important than things and
thrills. We are to be channels, not reservoirs;
the greatest joy comes when we share God’s pleasures with others.”
Reason # Two: Let
us take the example of a person who lives for pleasure by drinking and we will
see that the more a person drinks the more drinks that it takes to satisfy
their desire for pleasure and so they have to drink more and more and
eventually they will become an alcoholic.
Reason # Three:
Pleasure only appeals to part of a person and it ignores the whole
being. Dr. Wiersbe writes “This is the
major difference between shallow ‘entertainment’ and true ‘enjoyment,’ for when
the whole person is involved, there will be both enjoyment and enrichment. Entertainment has its place, but we must keep
in mind that it only helps us to escape life temporarily. True pleasure not only brings delight, but it also builds character by
enriching the total person.”
Spiritual meaning
for my life today: As I continue my
quest to see God in all of the Scriptures I read in order to get to know Him
better I can say that wisdom is seen in this section of Scripture.
My Steps of Faith for Today: Seek true pleasure as described in the
highlighted portion above.
Memory verses for the
week: Psalm 32:7-11
7 Your are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble,
You surround me with songs of deliverance.
Selah. 8 I will instruct you and
teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon
you. 9 Do not be as the horse or as the
mule which has no understanding, whose trappings include bit and bridle to keep
them in check, otherwise they would not come near you. 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he
who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround you. 11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you
righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.
Answer to yesterday’s Bible
Question: “Because he was on holy
ground.” (Exodus 3:5)
Today’s Bible
Question: “What shall reign through
righteousness unto eternal life?”
Answer in Tomorrow’s SD.
4/17/2013 10:44 AM
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