Living with Purpose - 10
Studies in the book of Ecclesiastes - Chapter 9
Handling life does not come easy. We all need as much help and guidance as we can get. God wants us to live life with a real sense of purpose. In the book of Ecclesiastes He gives us all the insight we need to live life successfully. We look today at chapter 9. This chapter falls within the fourth and final sermon of the Teacher. It began in chapter 8 verse 14 and ends at chapter 12 verse 7.
The key statement in this ninth chapter is found at the beginning of verse 10. We read, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. " You will be motivated to have this attitude when what you do is meaningful. This is good advice for any believer in his service for God. Keep yourself occupied with pleasing God, and following Jesus Christ. Do it with all your strength. Put every bit of energy and commitment into it. Love and serve other believers in the same way. Show Christ's love to everyone with a fervent spirit. Jesus said in Mark 12 verse 31, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. " We read in Galatians 6 verse 10, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. " We are to do all of this with all our might. Whatever we do, spiritual or secular, do it well, do it diligently, and do it to please the Lord. This links in with Ephesians 5 verses 15 and 16. We read, "Be very careful then how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. " Time is short. It is passing quickly. Do what needs to be done today. Why does God speak to us like this? Why this emphasis on taking the opportunity now, today? Solomon gives us the answer.
An event may overtake you and hinder you from doing what you planned. Verse 1 says, "So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God's hands. " We are subject to God's providences. They may change according to his wise purposes for our lives. Therefore, today's opportunities may be gone tomorrow. In fact similar things happen to the unsaved as to the saved. So we are not to jump to any wrong conclusions when we go through them. Solomon says at the end of verse 1, "No man knows whether love or hate awaits them". That is to say that outward circumstances alone don't necessarily tell us anything about God's attitude toward us. Good things don't suggest God loves us, because good things happen to the ungodly. Bad things don't suggest God hates us, because bad things happen to the righteous whom God loves dearly! Solomon says in verse 2, "All share a common destiny - the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad - as it is with the good man, so it is with the sinner. " We know God loves us because He tells us in his word, and confirms it by his spirit in our hearts. As far as our circumstances in life are concerned, what we do know is that whatever befalls us, we are in God's hands. While you have liberty, do what needs to be done now, with all your might. Things may be different soon.
The second reason Solomon gives for us to act now is the reality of death. We read in verse 3, "The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead. " Indeed, after telling us to do what we do with all our might in verse 10, he says, "for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning. " A man was stood in a shop doorway and a Christian felt led to talk to him about the Lord as he walked by him. He decided against it and thought he would do it when he saw him again. He went on his way. The next day he heard that the same man had collapsed on his way home and died. Either your death, or someone else’s, can frustrate your plans if you leave them to a more convenient time for you. The word "procrastinate" isn't in God's vocabulary! This is true of preparing properly for death. Verse 4 says, "Anyone who is among the living has hope. " You have hope because you have now to get ready to meet God. In verse 5 we read, "For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. " Solomon then makes this striking comment about the unsaved, "they have no furtherreward. " Living for God with all your might today means that whenever death comes you are ready. Verse 12 says, "no man knows when his hour may come. " You know you are going to die, so prepare adequately for it by committing your life to the Lord Jesus Christ and his service.
You will then live in such a way that you can look forward to your heavenly reward. So, be happy in Christ, rejoice in his provision of all your needs of food, drink, and married life. Solomon says in verse 7, "Go eat your food with gladness - for it is now that God favours what you do. " In verse 8 he says "Enjoy life with your wife. " The happy life is the one lived in grateful thanks to God.
A further reason is given to do all you can today. Life may take an unexpected turn. We read in verse 11, "The race is not to the swift, or the battle to the strong. " You may think that something will most certainly happen and then be disappointed. What you expected never took place. You are caught off guard and your plans are overturned. What you assumed would occur tomorrow never transpired. Don't assume anything beyond today and act accordingly. It is right to plan ahead, but remember, in the end, you are subject to those changing turns of events brought about by God. Everything is in his hands, not yours. Verse 12 says, "Men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them. " Life is full of surprises! Don't put off until tomorrow what you can to do today! Time and opportunity will have slipped by.
Lastly, work hard to get wisdom and use it as you get opportunity. Solomon talks about a city that was saved from disaster. He says in verse 15, "Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. " Wise advice is always needed today. Pass it on today while it can be useful. The time will come when people may reject it. Verse 16 says, "his words are no longer heeded. "
Do all you can today while it is here. That gives purpose to every new day. The changing scenes of time can change tomorrow's plans.