Can Joy Be Found by Giving Up All for Jesus Name?

In the society that we live, you would think me weird for saying that the real way to joy is to surrender all.  Even so, I want you to know that true, steadfast, unwavering joy can only be found through laying aside all else for the name of Jesus.  Only after being stripped of every other desire, can joy be found.  Just as Paul learned, joy can only be found in Jesus.  He is the source of our joy.  It is the power of the Holy Spirit filling us to overflowing rivers of joy, regardless of the circumstances around us.  For the Holy Spirit to fill us completely, we must get out of His way by dying to our petty, selfish desires to be exalted and to do things our way.  Counterculture: yet, powerfully true as we see in the life of Paul. 

Once a man of power, self-determination, and strength, Paul became a humble, gentle servant of Christ, willing to endure all hardship for Christ with a steadfast joy.  What transformed him so?  A face-to-face encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus.  It is with this in mind that we continue in this study of Philippians.   

Joy in the Face of Persecution

Philippians 1:12  I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole [b]palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Paul went to Jerusalem against the warnings of everyone.  He knew that the Holy Spirit told him to.  He went with a gift for the church at Jerusalem from the gentile churches.  A unifying act.  He knew he would be in danger, but he went anyway.  Once there, the Jewish leaders were so angered and desired his death.  He was brought before the Roman guards.  They wanted him dead.  But he was a roman citizen.  Therefore, the guards protected him and took him on a perilous journey by boat to Rome.  Once in Rome, he was chained to a Roman guard.

Imagine, you cannot bathe, go to the bathroom, sleep, eat, or do anything but what a Roman Guard is chained, tethered to your person.  With that note, Paul’s joy that his affliction has led to the spread of the gospel.  Imagine your being the guards assigned to be chained to this gentle, humble servant of Christ.  They would go back to the guard house and others would be saved and so on it went.  Rather than to bemoan his condition, Paul was joyous that the good news of Jesus Christ was being spread. 

A Further thought

Just as his imprisonment in Philippi led to the salvation of the guard who led others to Christ, Paul’s affliction allowed the gospel to spread.  Furthermore, it gave strength to others facing persecution as they watched Paul go through all this.  Think about that.  While others watch on as we face trials, they are strengthened by our unending hope, joy, and peace amid the trials.

Joy in the Face of Ridicule

Philippians 1: 15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 [c]The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

Paul knew that many said, “Ha, look at Paul.  What a disgrace!  Must be God is mad at him.  Not so great a teacher after all.”  Much like the friends of Job.  Yet, these were preachers.  Don’t we see that today among pastors?  And don’t we see those among our church members?  Yet, instead of being offended, Paul was joyous that the name of Christ was being preached, even if with the wrong motives.  God could take care of revealing the truth; but at least the name of Jesus was being spread. 

And what a lesson for each of us.  1.  We must not wear our feelings on our sleeves.  Regardless of what others say or think, the only one we answer to for our ministry is God.  He sees our heart and theirs.  2.  Let us not be so quick to judge the motives of others either.  We need to be careful that we remain doctrinally sound, pray, and let God deal with the hearts of others. 

Joy in life or death

Philippians 1: 19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Like the lyrics written by Stuart Townend, “No guilt in life, no fear in death.  That is the power of Christ in me.”  Paul knew this.  Whatever he was forced to endure in this life, he was willing to; because Jesus Christ was all that mattered.  Oh, that my love for Jesus would burn more intensely each day. 

Philippians 1: 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I [d]cannot tell. 23 [e]For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

How often, I wish to go home to see my Saviour, my love face to face!  Yet, for the sake of my love for Him, I joyously remain.  My prayer is He guide me every day to a closer presence with Him, so you might see Him shine through the holes of my life. 

One Admonition, because of all of this:

Philippians 1: 27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but [f]to you of salvation, and that from God. 

Do not let the circumstances of this world cause you to tremble or falter.  Do not be terrified by your adversaries.  Stand firm, unified in one faith, proclaiming the name of Jesus as fearless warriors. 

Philippians 1: 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

CONCLUDING THOUGHT: Joy Regardless of the Loss

How do we obtain joy by surrendering all? 1. We keep our eyes focused on Christ, knowing He is our joy. 2. Never forget eternity lies before us and we must not get distracted from our ultimate goal of being with Him. 3. Hold Fast to your faith, knowing that we are almost home. 4. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead, indwells each and every believer

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

PREVIOUS

Can You Really Have Joy Every Day?

Disclosures


©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.


Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Can You Really Have Joy Every Day?

            Philippians is one of the letters written by Paul while he was prisoned in Rome.   Yet, the entire letter written to the church in Philippi, speaks of Joy.  How odd if we consider joy to be everything going well in our lives.  However, Paul’s life was filled with pain, suffering and difficulty.  It certainly was not easy at the time he wrote this letter.    Still, he reflects a triumphant, steadfast joy as he presents the reason for His joy.  Therefore, as we begin this study, let us consider: “Can We really live with Joy in our hearts every day, regardless of the circumstances surrounding us?  But how do we find this kind of triumphant steadfast joy that never leaves us?  

It has taken me a lifetime to begin to grasp the truth that lay right before me.  How often, even with relatively good theology, we get so carried away by sorrow that we cannot arise from the depths of our own loneliness, despair, fears, and pain.  Always circling much like David in Psalm 42.  Listen to the pleas of David, are they not the same as ours?

Psalm 42:

42 As the deer [b]pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and [c]appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night,
While they continually say to me,
“Where is your God?”

4 When I remember these things,
I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go with the multitude;
I went with them to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and praise,
With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

5 Why are you [d]cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
[e]For the help of His countenance.

6 [f]O my God, my soul is cast down within me;
Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,
And from the heights of Hermon,
From [g]the Hill Mizar.
7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;
All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life.

9 I will say to God my Rock,
“Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a [h]breaking of my bones,
My enemies [i]reproach me,
While they say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The [j]help of my countenance and my God.

Can You Really Live with Joy in Your Heart Every Day?

After all that God had done, here was his plea circling from the depths of despair to the heights of remembered joys.  Searching for God’s presence amid his turmoil, yet, feeling Him so far away.  Have you ever done that?  Or are there those moments you march forward with one foot in front of the other.  Your only Hope to really live with Joy in your heart every day seems only a pipe dream.  So, you grasp to flickers of momentary earthly joy.  Even though you praise God for them, your theology of joy may be faulty.  Believing that the gifts are the joy, rather than the joy only truly being the Giver of the Gifts, Jesus Christ. 

Whenever we take our focus off the true source of our Joy, you are in peril of the Joy in Your heart plummeting to despair.  Everything else in this world is fleeting, only Jesus Christ is eternally present in a believer’s life.  When I was preparing this lesson, I could not help but note the notation I had written so long ago in the edges of my Bible.  I was praising God that after such a long draught, so many trials, he had sent someone I thought was His gift to me.  I rejoiced even writing their name in the edges.  But alas, I got so caught up in the gift that I lost sight of God’s truth.  Then they were gone, and I was left with even a deeper sorrow. 

I had lost sight of the true theology of joy.  John McArthur in one of his sermons pointed this out. So, I hope by quoting him to you, you will also discover this pearl of truth.

The Philosophy of Joy

“True joy is a gift from God to those who believe the gospel, being produced in them by the Holy Spirit as they receive and obey the Word, mixed with trials, and set their hope on future glory” John McArthur.  If you get a chance to, please go and listen to the sermon in full as he details each part of this sentence.   https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/50-1/the-epistle-of-joy

With that let us turn to Philippians.  As an introduction, the church at Philippi was the 1st church in Europe.  Also note the first person saved was Lydia.  The first church meeting was made up of women who had gone to the river to meet up with each other. 

ACTS 16

6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in [a]Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the [b]Spirit did not permit them. 8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is the [c]foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So, she persuaded us.

While in Philippi, Paul and Silas were beaten horribly and placed in jail because they had saved a woman from demon possession.   While in jail the first men of Philippi were added to the church.

The Guard Was Saved. How?

Paul and Silas were singing gospel songs of praise to Jesus while in jail.  Go check it out, this is another fascinating story of how you can really live with joy in your heart every day.  No matter what else is around you.

After all that introduction, let us look at the scripture at hand.

Philippians

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons[a]:

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Following the salutation this was Paul’s Words to them of His Prayer

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

To Really Live with Joy in Your Heart Every Day

Never forget that the source of your joy is Jesus Christ.  As we learn to love Him more, dying to self, the Holy Spirit fills us with His joy.  His joy can see the truth, never get bogged down with the trivialities.  We are in Christ, sealed for eternity by the Holy Spirit.  That is, you are if you ever accepted Him as Lord and Savior of your life.  If not, why not today?  Nothing and no one can steal His joy from our hearts.  We can remember the Victory is already ours.  Only He can satisfy the longing of your heart so that you may really live with joy every day. 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

PREVIOUS

What Really Matters After All Is Said and Done?

Disclosures


©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.


Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

What Really Matters After All Is Said and Done?

                It is no wonder that as we come to the close of our study in Ecclesiastes, we are asked to stop and ponder the question of what really matters.  Throughout the book, the preacher has pointed out to us the futility of life, riches, wisdom, pride.  He called it all vanity of vanity, vapors in the wind that are here but a fleeting moment and then gone.  Perhaps of all the earthly teachers, he was the best of all the best.  Gifted by God with human wisdom beyond all others, he had seen the value of all that God had created and yet the utter despair of trying to fill the spiritual void with any of these things.  Life is a wondrous adventure; but only when one stands in a right relationship with the creator of it all. 

                What really matters is our view of God himself.  Do we stand in awe of His Righteousness and Glory?  Until we see all this stuff surrounding us through His eyes, we can never grasp life at all.  We cannot hold fast to His Abiding, Steadfast Joy when the storms of life come crashing in, if we are not anchored in Him.

                Perhaps that is why, Solomon admonishes us all to grasp hold tightly to God while we are still in our youth.    In chapter 12 he points out that he does this

What Really Matters, Before All is Said and Done.

Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth,
Before the [a]difficult days come,
And the years draw near when you say,
“I have no pleasure in them” Ecclesiastes 12:1

Old age is just around the corner.  The youth often believe there is time left.  Time to turn to God, to get their life in order, and time to fix whatever may be broken.  Another day to fulfill and finish all their hearts desire.  But, alas, as Solomon points out, tomorrow may not come or may be so filled with sorrows that one cannot see God clearly.  There is a time appointed to each.  The Spirit of God will not always strive with one’s heart.  There comes a day, when ones response of no to His call becomes the last time one hears His voice.  For with each refusal, the heart hardens, sight dims, and ears deafen to His voice. 

A DESCRIPTION OF AGING (Ecclesiastes 12: 1-5 AMP)

12 Remember [earnestly] also your Creator [that you are not your own, but His property now] in the days of your youth, before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say [of physical pleasures], I have no enjoyment in them—

2 Before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened [sight is impaired], and the clouds [of depression] return after the rain [of tears];

3 In the day when the keepers of the house [the hands and the arms] tremble, and the strong men [the feet and the knees] bow themselves, and the grinders [the molar teeth] cease because they are few, and those who look out of the windows [the eyes] are darkened;

4 When the doors [the lips] are shut in the streets and the sound of the grinding [of the teeth] is low, and one rises up at the voice of a bird and the crowing of a cock, and all the daughters of music [the voice and the ear] are brought low;

5 Also when [the old] are afraid of danger from that which is high, and fears are in the way, and the almond tree [their white hair] blooms, and the grasshopper [a little thing] is a burden, and desire and appetite fail, because man goes to his everlasting home and the mourners go about the streets or marketplaces.

How much harder to come to know and accept Christ as Savior once all spark of life fades. 

Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1

“You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.  James 4:14

What Really Matters Before One Dies

6 [Remember your Creator earnestly now] before the silver cord [of life] is snapped apart, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern [and the whole circulatory system of the blood ceases to function];

7 Then shall the dust [out of which God made man’s body] return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return to God Who gave it.

8 Vapor of vapors and futility of futilities, says the Preacher. All is futility (emptiness, falsity, vainglory, and transitoriness)!    Ecclesiastes 12 (AMP)

How to learn what really matters:

9 And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set[c] in order many proverbs. 10 The Preacher sought to find [d]acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of [e]scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. 12 And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.

Although he suggested that much study is wearisome to the flesh and many books are written, he still advises us to read the word of God.  Note, he said “the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd”.  This certainly does not refer to all who call themselves scholars; but it does refer to those whom God chose to write His inspired words that comprise our Bible.  It may also include the words of teachers and preachers who are truly surrendered to teaching only the truth of God’s word.  Certainly, the Shepherd is Jesus (whom had not come on the scene yet) for He is the Word as noted in the entire 1st chapter of John. 

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4: 12

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and [b]idle babblings, for they will [c]increase to more ungodliness.   2 Timothy 2:15

To Conclude: What Really Matters

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
14 For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.    (Ecclesiastes 12)

What does it mean to fear God? 

12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your [a]good?   

Normally, we do not think of fear as part of love; but is it not a part of true love? If I truly love someone would there not be that fear of disappointing the object of my love? After all, truly love places their concerns above one’s own. I never wanted to see the sadness in my Father’s eyes. Nor do I want to see the sadness in God’s eyes because I failed to trust Him or believe Him as I should. Love demands my willingness to lay aside all else for Him.

“Got Questions website” provides this answer

For the unbeliever, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God (Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31). For the believer, the fear of God is something much different. The believer’s fear is reverence of God. Hebrews 12:28-29 is a good description of this: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ’God is a consuming fire.’” This reverence and awe is exactly what the fear of God means for Christians. This is the motivating factor for us to surrender to the Creator of the Universe. ..

Believers are not to be scared of God. We have no reason to be scared of Him. And we have His promise that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). We have His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Fearing God means having such a reverence for Him that it has a great impact on the way we live our lives. The fear of God is respecting Him, obeying Him, submitting to His discipline, and worshiping Him in awe. [1]

Therefore

                7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

PREVIOUS

God Placed Eternity in the Heart of Human Desire. Why?

Disclosures


©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.


Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Photo by Sylvain Mauroux on Unsplash

[1] https://www.gotquestions.org/fear-God.html

God Placed Eternity in the Heart of Human Desire. Why?

God …has made everything beautiful in its time.  Also, He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:10-11 (NKJV)

God placed eternity within the heart of humanity.  Clinging to life, desiring a legacy that goes beyond, and wanting to know purpose. 

Jean Paul Sartre was an atheistic humanistic philosopher who wrote being and nothingness.  A famous quote of his is: “Life has no meaning the moment you lose the illusion of being eternal.”  

He also wrote, “That God does not exist, I cannot deny, That my whole being cries out for God I cannot forget.”

Although, he did not believe in God, Sartre recognized the absolute driving desire for all humans to hold fast to eternity.  Indeed, it is said that on his dying bed, he spoke, “I do not feel that I am the product of chance, a speck of dust in the universe, but someone who was expected, prepared, prefigured. In short, a being whom only a Creator could put here; and this idea of a creating hand refers to God.”[1] 

Many try to claim this was not the case because they want to believe that one of the founders of humanistic thought, could never have concluded God exists.  Yet, he wrote even before this: “Existentialists on the other hand find it extremely disturbing that God no longer exists…there could no longer be any a priori good, since there would be no infinite and perfect consciousness to conceive of it.”[2]

Therefore, why would it be so surprising that when facing his own death, he would be drawn to conclude, “there is a God”. 

 A Look at Ecclesiastes 9:

2 All things come alike to all:

One event happens to the righteous and the wicked;
To the [b]good, the clean, and the unclean;
To him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice.
As is the good, so is the sinner;
He who takes an oath as he who fears an oath.

3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 4 But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

5 For the living know that they will die;
But the dead know nothing,
And they have no more reward,
For the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished;
Nevermore will they have a share
In anything done under the sun.

Despair at the thought of no Eternity-If death is all there is

Another look comes from Philipp Graham Ryken in Ecclesiastes Redesign-Why everything matters. 

The experience of Solomon who is spiraling down into absolute despair shows, “maybe more clearly than anything else in the Bible the reality of life without God.  Remember that we are still looking at things from a merely human perspective (as we read these pages of Ecclesiastes), life is so pointless that eventually it leads to despair.

“many thinkers have reached the same conclusion.  Like Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes), the philosopher Voltaire, when writing to a close friend, said, ‘I hate life, and yet I am afraid to die.”  The young C.S. Lewis, in the days when he was still an atheist, said, ‘Come let us curse our Master ere we die, / for all our hopes in endless ruin lie./ The good is dead.  Let us curse God most High.’ Or consider these words from Francois Mauriac, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1952: ‘You can’t imagine the torment of having had nothing out of life, and of having to look forward to nothing but death, of feeling that there is no other world beyond this one, that the puzzle will never be explained.’ 

          Such is life under the sun.  The Preacher hated life because of the certainty of death and the absurdity of losing all his wisdom”[3]

What are you frightened of losing in death?

Without the Resurrection, where would we be?

I Corinthians 15 (NKJV)12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 

15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have [c]fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

But Eternity is Real—Jesus did rise from the Grave

I Corinthians 15 (NKJV) 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have [d]fallen asleep. …. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God.

So Why did God Plant Eternity into the Heart of each Person born?

So, we may like St. Augustine declare, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

Psalm 42:

As the deer [b]pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and [c]appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night,
While they continually say to me,
“Where is your God?”

……


7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;
All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life.

9 I will say to God my Rock,
“Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a [h]breaking of my bones,
My enemies [i]reproach me,
While they say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The [j]help of my countenance and my God.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

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Can Harmony of Life Be Found in Such a Broken World as This?

Disclosures


©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.


Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Photo licensed from Goodsalt.com

[1] https://catholicherald.co.uk/jean-paul-sartres-confession-of-belief-and-other-surprises-in-a-fine-new-book/

[2] Sartre, Existentialism is a Humanism, Carol Macomber trans., (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), 28

[3] Philip Graham Ryken, “Ecclesiastes (Redesign) Why Everything Matters, 2014, Crossway Publisher,

Can Harmony of Life Be Found in Such a Broken World as This?

        Just when we think life might be getting back to normal, another variant of the virus surfaces and is more contagious than the last.  Now with the Lambda variant pouring in from South America, we are facing the reality that Covid is here to stay for a while.  So, how do we figure out how to live with all of this.  Can harmony of life be found is such a broken world?  Has it really changed things so much?  Before the virus, we continuously were dealing with turmoil, pain, sorrows, and difficulties.  Life is complex and difficult.  So many search for some harmony of life through many means, just longing to find some balance between the good and the bad.  Hoping to find meaning amid the chaos.  A harmony of life that weathers the storms without capsizing.

        Has it always been such?  It would seem all of Ecclesiastes asks that question.  Perhaps most of the Bible deals with that.  We live in a broken world with broken spirits, because of sin.  Created in the image of God; yet, so incapable of truly being like Him.  So, where do we go? How do we navigate our ships through the storms of this life without capsizing?  Is there such a thing as harmony of life that can be found? 

        As we turn to Ecclesiastes 7, we may want to keep these questions in mind as we consider both our finding harmony of life in this world and within our own individual hearts.

Harmony of Life

Max Lucado wrote in a commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:18 through 8:17:

        Although people cannot fully understand all of God’s plan, the author of Ecclesiastes believed people could find some of God’s goodness.

In this passage, Solomon made it clear that wealth cannot buy happiness and that enjoying your work and life is a God-given gift.

Take your seat in the chair and look across the table at the psalmist David. He motions for you to lean forward. “I have a secret to tell you,” he whispers, “the secret of satisfaction: ‘The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing’ ” (Ps 23:1).

David has found the pasture where discontent goes to die. It’s as if he is saying, “What I have in God is greater than what I don’t have in life.”

Dichotomies of Life:  Ecclesiastes 7

A good reputation[a] is better[b] than precious[c] perfume;[d]
likewise,[e] the day of one’s[f] death[g] is better than the day of one’s birth.[h]
2 It is better to go to a funeral[i]
than a feast.[j]
For death[k] is the destiny[l] of every person,[m]
and the living should[n] take this[o] to heart.

What could Solomon mean by this?


3 Sorrow[p] is better than laughter,
because sober reflection[q] is good for the heart.[r]
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of merrymaking.[s]

When is sorrow better than laughter?  Why?

5 It is better for a person to receive[t] a rebuke from those who are wise[u]
than to listen to the song[v] of fools.
6 For like the crackling of quick-burning thorns[w] under a cooking pot,
so is the laughter of the fool.
This kind of folly[x] also is useless.[y]

How can we see criticisms in a positive light?  It is hard to do; yet, do we grow if we always only hear about our good?  How can we better learn to take criticism as beneficial?

7 Surely oppression[z] can turn a wise person into a fool;[aa]
likewise,[ab] a bribe corrupts[ac] the heart.[ad]

Didn’t Solomon just say that sorrow was better than laughter to teach?  Yet, now he writes oppression can turn a wise person into a fool?  Which is it? Or is it both depending upon the response of the person?


8 The end of a matter[ae] is better than its beginning;
likewise, patience[af] is better than pride.[ag]
9 Do not let yourself be quickly provoked,[ah]
for anger resides in the lap[ai] of fools.
10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these days?”[aj]
for it is not wise to ask that.[ak]

What about wisdom and righteousness? Are they the answer?

        This too is a dichotomy.  For the only righteousness and wisdom that truly counts is that which comes from God.  So if we get too caught up in our own self-righteousness, we only become more dismayed than ever.  Therefore, to find harmony of life, we must also find the balance between these two dichotomous truths.

As outlined in Ecclesiastes 1-3, we are God’s blessed, chosen, redeemed, beloved children, clothed in the righteousness of Christ as Saints, filled with spiritual gifts from on high.  Yet, at the same time we are broken creatures incapable of righteousness by our own strength.  This is what Solomon was referring to when he wrote:

During the days of my fleeting life[aw] I have seen both[ax] of these things:
Sometimes[ay] a righteous person dies prematurely[az] in spite of[ba] his righteousness,
and sometimes[bb] a wicked person lives long[bc] in spite of his evil deeds.
16 So do not be excessively righteous or excessively[bd] wise;[be]
otherwise[bf] you might[bg] be disappointed.[bh]
17 Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool;
otherwise[bi] you might die before your time.
18 It is best to take hold of one warning[bj] without letting go of the other warning;[bk]
for the one who fears God will follow[bl] both warnings.[bm]

One Enigma that can break Harmony of Life

Don’t become too caught up in trying to determine God’s plan.  His plan is higher than we cana ever understand.  When we get caught up in the ideas of the prosperity gospel, we become frustrated rather than being filled with faith.

14 Here is[be] another[bf] enigma[bg] that occurs on earth:
Sometimes there are righteous people who get what the wicked deserve,[bh]
and sometimes there are wicked people who get what the righteous deserve.[bi]
I said, “This also is an enigma.”  Ecclesiastes 8:

Conclusion to finding Harmony of Life

When I tried[bs] to gain[bt] wisdom
and to observe the activity[bu] on earth—
even though it prevents anyone from sleeping day or night[bv]—
17 then I discerned all that God has done:[bw]
No one really comprehends what happens[bx] on earth.[by]
Despite all human[bz] efforts to discover it, no one can ever grasp[ca] it.[cb]
Even if[cc] a wise person claimed[cd] that he understood,
he would not really comprehend[ce] it.[cf]

Proverbs3:

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall [b]direct your paths.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

PREVIOUS

Can Religion or Government Make Us Happy or Prosperous?

Disclosures


©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.


Credits

Scripture used from the

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Photo by veeterzy on Unsplash