Over the last 18 months, I have worked my way through the Bible during my morning coffee time with God. I have three books left – Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon and Revelation. I have procrastinated the study of these three books, and yet God’s timing is so perfect. I needed to hear what King Solomon had to say in this book.

Everything is meaningless. Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content. History merely repeats itself. The wise and the foolish share the same fate – they both die. All of our hard work, everything we have earned or acquired, we leave behind to someone else. We cannot take it with us when we die. Most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. This is meaningless – like chasing after the wind. These are the thoughts of King Solomon after devoting himself to the search for understanding and exploring everything being done under the sun. He discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race.

I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” – Ecclesiastes 2:1-2

I have to admit that Ecclesiastes is not one of my favorite books of the Bible. King Solomon initially comes across much like Winnie the Pooh’s friend, Eeyore. But, in the midst of Solomon’s cynical and negative rant, he offers us some great words of wisdom to live by. He teaches us how to relax in some of these negative realities and enjoy the life God has blessed us with.

So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him? – Eccl. 2:24-25

What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people shout eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. – Eccl. 3:9-13

Another gift from God that Solomon highlights is our relationships with other people: Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help…A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken (4:9-12).

Solomon’s words of wisdom continue:
As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut…let your words be few…Keep all the promises you make to him…Don’t let your mouth make you sin…Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead (5:1-7).

Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth – except perhaps to what it slip through your fingers!…Hoarding riches harms the saver…We can’t take our riches with us…And it is a good thing to receive wealth form God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life – this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past (5:10-20).

Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless – like chasing the wind (6:9).

I must confess I have spent the last two and a half years half happy, half mourning what I do not have. I loved our life in Texas but missed family & friends in Illinois and dreaded the coming loss of my job. A year ago we moved back to Illinois and I have spent the last year enjoying life but in the context of missing our Texas church family & friends (and the backyard pool ). I have also mourned the loss of the role I have loved for 21 years – being a “pastor’s wife”. I have been surrounded by gifts from God yet had my “Eeyore” moments of feeling sorry for myself and grieving what I do NOT have.

Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have.

Lord, I thank you for the food I eat and for the people you have placed in my life. I thank you for the joy I find in working hard for you. Lord, when I start to have an “Eeyore” moment, help me recognize it and find my inner “Tigger” Lord, forgive me for the moments over the last few years when I have felt sorry for myself, when contentment is just out of reach.

Father God, we thank you for the many gifts you give us so generously. Forgive us for the moments when our focus is on what we don’t have or our minds wander to what we wish our life could be. Thank you for the opportunity to learn this morning from King Solomon, in all of his wisdom. Help us to relax in your plan for our life. Plant eternity in our hearts and give us eyes to see the grand scope of Your plan. Amen.

Come let us worship and bow down.
Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God.
We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care.
If only you would listen to his voice today! – Psalm 95:6-7

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High.
It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
your faithfulness in the evening… – Psalm 92-1-2

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest
and raises her young at the place near your altar,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!
What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.
What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord…
They will continue to grow stronger…

A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God
than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.
He gives us grace and glory.
The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you. – Psalm 8:1-5,7a,10-12

Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship,
for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation.
They exult in your righteousness.
You are their glorious strength.
It pleases you to make us strong.
Yes, our protection comes from the Lord, and he,
the Holy One of Israel, has given us our king. – Psalm 89:15-18

You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!
I sing for joy because of what you have done.
O Lord, what great works you do!
And how deep are your thoughts (92:4-5).

I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.
When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer (94:18-19).

The Lord is my fortress; my God is my mighty rock where I hide…
Come, let us sing to the Lord!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come to him with thanksgiving.
Let us sing psalms of praise to him.
For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods.
He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains.
The sea belongs to him, for he made it.
His hands formed the dry land, too.
Come let us worship and bow down.
Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God.
We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care.
If only you would listen to his voice today! – Psalm 94:22; 95:1-7

Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help.
Protect me for I am devoted to you.
Save me, for I serve you and trust you
You are my God.
Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly.
Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you.
O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,
so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry.
I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me…

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.
With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.
I will give glory to your name forever, for you love for me is very great.
You have rescued me form the depths of death. – Psalm 86:1-7,11-3

O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out to you by day.
I come to you at night.
Now hear my prayer; listen to my cry…
Each day I beg for your help, O Lord;
I lift my hands to you for mercy. – Psalm 88:1-2,9b

When we sincerely cry out to God, He hears our prayers. More than that, He answers them. Are you asking God for something big right now? Can you relate to the prayer of the psalmist? Is the burden heavy? Can you hear the thunder but you cannot feel the rain? If so, listen to what God is saying. Listen to what He is doing in response to your prayers.

“Now I will take the load from your shoulders;
I will free your hands from their heavy tasks.
You cried to me in trouble, and I saved you;
I answered out of the thundercloud and tested your faith when there was no water at Meribah.” – Psalm 81:6-7

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. – Psalm 91:1-2

HE WILL RESCUE YOU from every trap and
PROTECT YOU from deadly disease.
HE WILL COVER YOU with his feathers.
HE WILL SHELTER YOU with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection (91:3-4).

If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
For he will order his angels to protect you where you go.
They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone (91:9-12).

The Lord says, “I WILL RESCUE those who love me.
I WILL PROTECT those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I WILL ANSWER;
I WILL BE WITH THEM in trouble.
I WILL RESCUE and HONOR them.
I WILL REWARD them with a long life and
GIVE THEM MY SALVATION.” – Psalm 91:14-16

Lord, we claim these promises this morning. We praise you for your faithfulness and ALL you do for us. When the thunderclouds appear above us and we experience a shortage of what we think we need, we will remember your promises to rescue, protect, honor, and reward us. We will trust that you are with us and feel your wings of shelter around us. With all our hearts we will praise you, O Lord our God!

Has the Lord rejected me forever?
Will he never again be kind to me?
Is his unfailing love gone forever?
Have his promises permanently failed?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he slammed the door on his compassion? – Psalm 77:7-9

Have you ever asked these questions or watched someone struggle with their faith during a difficult time? Chronic diseases, fatal diagnoses, terminal cancer, tragic accidents, infidelity and divorce – difficult times can cause us to wonder where God is or why He is allowing such difficult times in our lives. We can find ourselves asking questions we never planned to ask, such as “Has God forgotten to be gracious?”

Then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
They are constantly in my thoughts.
I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.
O God, your ways are holy. – Psalm 77:11-13a

The psalmist asked these difficult questions while remembering all God had done in his life. He recalled how his ancestors had come to the Red Sea – seemingly impossible to cross in the midst of their struggle to survive. Then he remembered how God was mightier than the Red Sea. He reminded himself that God saw a path through the waves that no one knew was there. While the thunder rolled and the lightning flashed as the earth trembled and shook, God parted the sea and a pathway appeared.

Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters –
a pathway no one knew was there!
You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep,
with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds. – Psalm 77:19-20

God has not left you alone with your struggles. He sees a pathway you cannot see. He takes you by the hand and guides you to a glorious destiny. When your health fails and your spirit grows weak, God will remain the strength of your heart. He will not desert you. Stay close to the Sovereign Lord, your shelter – how good it is to be near God!

Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
I was so foolish and ignorant – I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
Those who desert him will perish for you destroy those who abandon you.
But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. – Psalm 73:21-28

Praise the Lord; praise God our savior!
For each day he carries us in his arms. – Psalm 68:19

Do you know how wonderful this God is whom we serve? He is the father to the fatherless, defender of widows. He places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. He provides for needy people (68:5-6,10). Our God is a God who saves us from where we are and places us where we need to be.

The humble will see their God at work and be glad.
Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.
For the Lord hears the cries of the needy;
he does not despise his imprisoned people (69:32-33).

David knew what it felt like to have everything going wrong in his life. He was being oppressed and pursued by his enemies. He knew who is God was and what his God was capable of, so he cried out over and over again to God. He described his mounting troubles as mire or mud into which he was sinking deeper and deeper. He prayed God would save him from where he was and place him where he needed to be.

Have you ever felt like you were drowning in your troubles? Have you felt there were more bad things going on in your life than good? I have several friends who are going through extremely difficult times in their lives and I hear them crying out to God for relief and protection, for healing and provision. They come to my mind this morning as I read David’s cries for help from God.

Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck.
Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold.
I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me.
I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched.
My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me…
But I keep praying to you, Lord… – Psalm 69:1-3,13

O Lord, I have come to you for protection;…set me free.
Be my rock of safety where I can always hide.
Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress…
O Lord, you alone are my hope.
I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.
Yes, you have been with me from birth;
from my mother’s womb you have cared for me.
No wonder I am always praising you!
My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection.
That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long…

Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens.
You have done such wonderful things.
Who can compare with you, O God?
You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,
but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.
You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again. – Psalm 71:1-8,14-16,19-21

Perhaps you are going through a difficult time right now. Perhaps God has brought several people to your mind while reading these scriptures. Will you join me in praying for strength and protection for our loved ones?

Lord, I thank you right now for restoration – for the many times you take us from our current situations and move us to where we need to be. Lord, there are so many people hurting right now – so many crying out to you for help. Hear their cries for help, O God. Their passion for you continues to grow and they continue to sing your praises. You have allowed them to suffer hardship and we pray you will restore them to life again. Lord, save them from the muck and the mire they feel closing in around them and be their rock of safety – their strength and their protection. We pray all of this in the glorious name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. – Psalm 62:5

And, let all that I am shout joyfully, praising the Lord!

Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!
Sing about the glory of his name!
Tell the world how glorious he is.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
Your enemies cringe before your mighty power.
Everything on earth will worship you;
they will sing your praises, shouting your name in glorious songs.

Come and see what our God has done,
what awesome miracles he performs for people!
He made a dry path through the Red Sea, and his people went across on foot.
There we rejoiced in him. – Psalm 66:1-6

Red Sea before you? No problem for God. He specializes in making dry paths for us. He is awesome! Come see what He has done…come see what He will do next. Come shout His praises!

Let the whole world bless our God and loudly sing his praises.
Our lives are in His hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling…

Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.
For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke.
If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer.
Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer
or withdraw his unfailing love from me. – Psalm 66:8-9,16-20

May God be merciful and bless us.
May his face smile with favor on us.
May your ways be known throughout the earth,
your saving power among people everywhere.
May the nations praise you, O God.
Yes, may all the nations praise you.
Let the whole world sing for joy… – Psalm 67:1-4a

Let the godly rejoice.
Let them be glad in God’s presence.
Let them be filled with joy.
Sing praises to God and to his name!
Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.
His name is the Lord – rejoice in his presence!

Sing to the one who rides across the ancient heavens, his mighty voice thundering from the sky.
Tell everyone about God’s power…Praise be to God! – Psalm 68:33-35

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. – Psalm 62:5

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. – Psalm 62:5

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken (62:1-2).

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. – Psalm 62:5

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. – Psalm 62:5

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!
I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise you with songs of joy.
I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night.
Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely (63:1-8).

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. – Psalm 62:5

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. – Psalm 62:5

“For the godly, every adversity in life is an occasion for growth in trust.”

This is a quote from the NLT Study Bible put out by Tyndale. It is found in the section of Psalms where we hear from David while Saul is in pursuit of him. David is hiding and calls out to God to rescue him from his enemies. You hear the strong emotions David is experiencing during this time but you also hear his faith. In the midst of the difficulties, David calls out to God with a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. It is with this thankful heart that David’s hard times cause his faith and trust in God to increase.

But what’s his secret? How did David allow the hard times to cause his faith to grow instead of causing himself to distance from God? In order for every adversity in our life to become an occasion for growth, it would help to know David’s secret.

Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me?…
God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave…
I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.
I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people. – Psalm 49:5,15; 52:8-9

An olive tree lives a very long life when it is well cared for. David sees himself as an olive tree that is remaining close to its caregiver – in the house of God. By staying close to God, David is remaining close to the source of his faith. This is a commitment he has made – to live a life of trust in the Lord.

God is my helper…
You have rescued me from my troubles and helped me to triumph over my enemies…
I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me.
Morning, noon and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice.
He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me,
though many still oppose me.
God, who has ruled forever, will hear me and humble them. – Psalm 54:4,7; 55:16-19

Remaining close to the source of his faith, David communicates with God. He tells God how he is feeling and brings all of his difficulties to the One who can rescue him from any situation. By remaining close to God and in constant communication with his Savior, David’s trust in the Lord grows even during difficult times.

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you…
My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.
This I know: God is on my side!
I praise God for what he has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me? – Psalm 55:22; 56:9-11

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!
I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by.
I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me…
My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident.
No wonder I can sing your praises!
Wake up, my heart!
Wake up, O lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn with my song.
I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.
For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth. – Psalm 57:1-2,7-11

David’s secret can be my secret – remaining close to God, communicating with God and having confidence that God will fulfill His purpose in me.

You are my strength;
I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress…
But as for me, I will sing about your power.
Every morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.
For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.
O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge,
the God who shows me unfailing love. – Psalm 59:9,16-17

The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger. 24:5

King Solomon has three more areas in which he gives advice in his book of Proverbs. The first is regarding friendships – the value of a good friend and how to be a good friend.

A friend is always loyal,
and a brother is born to help in time of need (17:17).

The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life;
a wise person wins friends (11:30).

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
but dwelling on it separates close friends (17:9).

A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends (16:28).

An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.
Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars (18:19).

There are “friends” who destroy each other,
but a real friend sticks closer than a brother (18:24).

Many seek favors from a ruler; everyone is the friend of a person who gives gifts (19:6).

Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend (22:11).

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense (27:9).

Never abandon a friend— either yours or your father’s (27:10a).

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend (27:17).

King Solomon also warned of the dangers of alcohol, that alcohol is not a friend for the wise.

Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise (20:1)

Who has anguish? Who has sorrow?
Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining?
Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns,
trying out new drinks.
Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is,
how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down.
For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake;
it stings like a viper.
You will see hallucinations,
and you will say crazy things.
You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast.
And you will say, “They hit me, but I didn’t feel it.
I didn’t even know it when they beat me up.
When will I wake up so I can look for another drink?” – Proverbs 23:29-35

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine.
Rulers should not crave alcohol.
For if they drink, they may forget the law
and not give justice to the oppressed (31:4-5).

Justice for the oppressed – this is the third area that King Solomon speaks of. As I read through these proverbs, the issue of abortion comes to my mind.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
ensure justice for those being crushed.
Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
and see that they get justice (31:8-9).

Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.”
For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.
He who guards your soul knows you knew.
He will repay all people as their actions deserve (24:12).

There are six things the LORD hates—
no, seven things he detests:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
hands that kill the innocent,
a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong,
a false witness who pours out lies,
a person who sows discord in a family (6:16-19).

But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.
If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God. – Psalm 50:23

We have so much to be thankful for this morning. We serve a generous and wonderful God. I thank Him for the work He has done and continues to do in my heart and in my life. To God be all praise!!!

Have mercy on me, O God,
because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.
Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.
For I recognize my rebellion;
it haunts me day and night.
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight.

You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
Look with favor on Zion and help her;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—
with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.
Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar. – Psalm 51