Saturday, July 24, 2010
July 24 ... Ecclesiastes 1 - 4 "What Music am I Listening To"
Eccl. 1:1 - It's smoke! Spitting in the wind. How does Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, amass silver and gold and the treasure of kings and refuse his heart no pleasure (2:8)...and arrive at the conclusion: I hate life (2:17). Smoke. Chasing after the wind. What was Solomon missing in all his stockpiled wisdom and knowledge? Why was his heart not stirred with hope? Is my heart stirred this day with hope or despair over my circumstances? Solomon was desperate for what? He couldn't get answers to his questions, could he? Maybe it wasn't the answers that the wise Solomon wanted. "Until you stop running from real darkness into artificial light, until you hear the bad news that life is empty, that you are empty, you will not hear the GOOD NEWS My Son came to bring...I lower you into the depths of despair to lift you into the heights of joy. The way up is the way down. There is no other way. You will not hear My song of love until you hear no other music." 66 LL. What music am I listening to that keeps me from hearing His Song of Love? It could be literal music or music to my ears or music to my heart or music to my eyes that keeps me from hearing His Song of Love. "Every moment of your life is a perfectly tuned note in the Eternal Harmony." That is if I have ears to hear. Let those scales fall off my eyes. Let me hear the music of heaven.
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I was blessed to teach elementary school while the Bible was still allowed as part of the program in public school. I remember well using Ecclesiastes 3 as the rules of conduct as I taught third grade. "There is a time to talk and a time to be quiet". And a few others as well. I must confess I appreciate the NIV more than the Message for these passages.
ReplyDeleteThen in Chapter 4:9-12
9 -10 It's better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, but if there's no one to help, tough!
11 Two in a bed warm each other. Alone, you shiver all night. 12 By yourself you're unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst.Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped.
Let the WORD speak for itself. This is a Song I Must Sing to my SOPs who keep this rope strong in the LORD.
Sylvia
Thanks for that thought, Sylvia, I was impressed by the picture of the three-stranded rope. I like to imagine all the pearls strung together on a three-stranded silk thread, not only strung together, but each pearl is knotted by the Message,stronger because as individual pearls; we are firmly knotted on each side through prayer and the word. If one starts to slide, they are held together by a pearl on each side of her.
ReplyDelete"I wanted to get a handle on anything useful we mortals might do during the years we spend on this earth." And he concludes, "It's all smoke..."
ReplyDeleteBusy but bored,having it all but realizing it's rubbish, seeking meaning and coming up empty, Solomon was having a midlife crisis. He was seeking to fill the God-size hole. He desperately wanted this world to make sense, to have meaning. He comes up short. Which of us hasn't been there when we throw our hands in the air and ask Why? Everything is vain pursuit save God alone.
It's only in the darkness, real darkness, that His Love sings its song over us, gives authentic meaning to this life. I'm listening for His music this morning!
Thanks, Bev, once again, that wherever you are, you so faithfully serve Him through this blog. Your words probe deep places within.
Sylvia, Ecclesiastes 3 were my daddy's favorite verses. Good rules of conduct, for sure.
ReplyDeleteAnd JH Painter Girl Jan, that Scripture word picture should be our tagline for Pearls! Beautiful comfort in your visual.
Love you--Happy Weekend.
Hello My Friends, I took a Psalms and Proverbs off from our reading to focus on another study I am working on this Summer; however, I am thrilled to be back with you in daily bible study - if you'll have me??? :-)
ReplyDeleteToday's reading for me could be summed up by Ecc 3:19 "Everything is Meaningless." (NIV)
Oh, how that phrase just frustrates me. We all work so hard to make our lives count. We try to find balance in serving our families, our jobs, our church, our friends, our health, etc., that hearing this phrase "Everything is Meaningless", just doesn't make sense. (At least not to me.) I spend so much time trying to be a great daughter, a great employee, a loyal friend, take care of my health, daily bible study, etc., that phrases like these hit me right in the face.
We are called to minister to people. We are called to preach about Christ and His love for us. We are called to be His Arms and Feet. And as phrases like "Life is meaningless" is said, I am reminded that many of the things I strive for are "meaningless" in the spiritual realm; however, serving our Jesus and being His light in this world, have more meaning than I can describe.
Our lives will count one day, because our heart are set on eternity.
May the Lord bless each of you this weekend. Love You ALL!!!
-Kim
Kim,
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! I miss your comments.
Your current post about it is all meaningless, there are times I wonder but then as Jan painted in her word picture post a pearl will stop and make comment and I realize I really do have meaning thought it is only through the blood and power of Jesus Christ living in me that I find meaning.
I appreciate your honesty and vunerability. This past week has been a hard one for me. My husband's sister in the DFW area was admitted to the hospital and in ICU all week, serious conditions she is better and out of icu but still has other issues going on yet to be determined.
A dear friend and business client survived a heart attack three years ago to on Monday have surgery for a massive tumor in her colon. She has 3b-4 stage cancer. Then another friend from weekly bible study had heart robot surgery wednesday began at 8 a.m. and at 3 p.m had to go to plan b and open the sternum to complete the process. In the middle of all that I had my doctor visits and am recovering very well since a major set back in late June. Then yesterday I received answers for another issue I have experienced and physically am feeling much better.
I don't know if any of this speaks to you. In the middle of devastation for family and friends I am getting better and receiving answers and I know it because inspite of my frustration I am persevering in trusting Jesus to make a way when there seems to be no way.
Grace and Peace as I welcome you back Precious Pearl Kim. This is a Song I must Sing. Sylvia
Sylvia,
ReplyDeleteYour reply truly blessed my heart. Last week was a tough one for me too, as my mom faced some health concerns, a great friend is dealing with a job lost and financial hardships, and many other hard prayer requests. Yet, the Lord has spoken so much calmness and peace in my spirit, and you are so right by saying:
"I realize I really do have meaning thought it is only through the blood and power of Jesus Christ living in me that I find meaning."
Oh, how my heart rejoices in what you shared. Thank you so very much for sharing the things you have been facing. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for allowing the Lord to speak through you and into my heart.
All My Love,
Kim