32. Handling the Enigmas and Hardships of Life

Posted on Posted in Sermon Notes, Prayer Meeting Tagged with , , , ,

Hymns: 359 My Faith Looks Up to Thee 41 Before Jehovah’s Awful Throne 360 My God, Is Any Hour So Sweet

Study of the Book of Ecclesiastes

(Remember Now Thy Creator)

Handling Enigmas And Hardships of Life

Ecclesiastes 8:9-17

9 All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt. 10 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity. 11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: 13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. 14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity. 15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. 16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) 17 Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

 

OUTLINE

  • Fear God (v9-14)
  • Enjoy the Fruit of Your Labour (v15)
  • Be Contented with Having No Answers (v16-17)

 

INTRODUCTION

Life presents us situations and circumstances that often defy simple explanation. Our finite mind cannot decifer the intricies of matters at hand. We are intrigued, perplexed and puzzled for want of answers. Solomon shows us the wisdom needful for handling such enigmas of life. He reminds us of the prosperity of the wicked, is there no justice. Why does God still allow such wickedness to continue? How is it that misery come to the innocent? Is there no recourse with God?

After World Mental Health Day was initiated by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) in 1992 many countries adopted it as a means of promoting mental health.

Every year a theme is chosen and educational materials are produced by WFMH for distribution. In 2012, the 20th anniversary, DEPRESSION was chosen as the main theme.

It is observed that “Depression can affect anyone and it is one of the most widespread illnesses, often co-existing with other serious illnesses. According to the World Health Organization, unipolar depressive disorders were ranked as the third leading cause of the global burden of disease in 2004 and will move into the first place by 2030.”

The 2012 Depression package is intended to provide information about depression as a treatable illness, and to spread the message that recovery is possible and achievable.

The information will be useful both in developed countries and in middle- to low-income countries that need basic information for their national and local publicity campaigns. Among the developed countries, the current economic downturn has resulted in increased unemployment, increased debts and increased insecurity resulting also in an increasing incidence of depression among the population. For middle- to low-income countries, public education on mental health is often inadequate due to limited resources. We hope this material will be useful for mental health promotion in these countries.

Depression is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease and affects people in all communities across the world. Today, depression is estimated to affect 350 million people. The World Mental Health Survey conducted in 17 countries found that on average about 1 in 20 people reported having an episode of depression in the previous year. Depressive disorders often start at a young age; they reduce people’s functioning and often are recurring. For these reasons, depression is the leading cause of dis- ability worldwide in terms of total years lost due to disability. The demand for curbing depression and other mental health conditions is on the rise globally. A recent World Health Assembly called on the World Health Organization and its member states to take action in this direction (WHO, 2012).[1]

 

What is depression?

Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, decreased energy, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, and poor concentration. Moreover, depression often comes with symptoms of anxiety. These problems can become chronic or recurrent and lead to substantial impairments in an individual’s ability to take care of his or her everyday responsibilities. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. Almost 1 million lives are lost yearly due to suicide, which translates to 3000 suicide deaths every day. For every person who completes a suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end his or her life (WHO, 2012).

Depression is real. It is an illness of the brain that usually requires some form of treatment. It is important for you to recognize this, to take the illness seriously, and to take good care of yourself.

Depression can make even the simplest parts of daily living very difficult. If possible, there are some things you can do to make yourself feel better, even if only slightly.

  • Consider some form of exercise daily. Exercise is good for both physical and mental health. Establishing a regular exercise routine will help maintain a healthy weight and reduce stress levels, important for someone with depression.
  • Try to eat a healthy balanced diet every day. A healthy diet, which includes whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, protein, and is low in fat, will help keep your body healthy.
  • There are many relaxation techniques to lower your stress, including … deep breathing, which can help with depression. These techniques, widely used around the world, are a low-cost way to lower stress.
  • Maintain healthy sleep habits, as much as possible. Set up a regular routine for bedtime and morning to be sure you are getting enough sleep, but not too much sleep.
  • Avoid and reduce stress. Stress, both at work and home, can increase your feelings of depression. It is important to avoid stress in your daily life.
  • Keep your working hours predictable and manageable. Openly communicate with family members and loved ones about what is going on in your life to foster better relationships and elicit their support.
  • Curtail alcohol or substance use or abuse. Use of these substances may worsen your symptoms of depression or interfere with your prescribed medications.
  • Create a daily routine. Organizing and planning your day will help to manage the many daily life tasks that you have to do. Create and maintain a monthly calendar.
  • Be patient with yourself. For someone with depression, even the smallest tasks can seem impossible.

 

Solomon provides us three thoughts to handle the enigmas and hardships of life

(1) Fear God (v9-14)

9 All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.

He is making a number of observations of man in various situations in life in this fallen world. Things do not usually add up. He tells us of how superiors seeking to take advantage of their workers. Perhaps withholding their wages, treating them harshly. And the oppressed turned on their employers with vicious cruelty. How badly hurt, Solomon observed!

10 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.

“The place of the holy” is the “place of judgment” – Ecclesiastes 3:16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

 The wicked man in pomp and ceremony in life and in death, his memory is quickly erased from the people’s mind. As one commentator observed, “Whereas in their life they would be as gods, they died like men, and were soon forgotten as beasts.”

David made a similar observation in Psalm 37:35-36 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.  

 This shows how vain is the prosperity of this life.

 11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

He observed how injustices and oppression is allowed and evil is prolonged to the hurt of many. How is it that there is no justice? If God is just then why doesn’t He swiftly execute judgment! Is He powerless? Maybe He doesn’t care the plight of his suffering?

Wisdom is that the godly will learn His fear to see that God is longsuffering that there may be time for the sinner to repent.

In the fullness of time, judgment comes.

“The longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah”.

1 Peter 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Genesis 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

 Genesis 6:5-7 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:

13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. 14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.

The people of God who fears God will be willing to trust God during such times of enigmas and hardships to endure and continue to do God’s will.

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Noah believed God. This was a man who had encountered God and knew that God meant every word He said and said what He meant. The Bible says he was moved with fear. The fear of God was in his heart. God moved Noah’s heart to respond to His warning by putting His fear in Noah’s heart. Fear was not a negative emotion that God gave to Noah. It was a wake-up call! It was like a bell or a gong going off in his heart and mind, stirring him into life to flee into the safety of God at the first approach of danger. It was a signal to provoke his soul to watchfulness and sobriety, to lifelong action!

Noah was moved with fear because he saw wickedness in the world all around him. Every imagination of the thoughts of the heart of man was only evil continually. God revealed this to Noah so that he realised the depraved state of mankind.

The word “condemned” means “to judge against” or “to judge worthy of punishment”. Noah by his submission to God set himself as an example against the evil and the wicked in his generation who refused God’s truth. His very obedience to God in building the ark and preparing his family was a judgment against the mockers and scoffers who by their unbelief perished when God sent the flood.

By his walk, Noah was a witness against the world. This was his responsible response to the privilege God had bestowed upon him when He chose him to be His witness against the world. May God be similarly pleased to make us His witnesses in this world, and a channel of blessing wherever He chooses to place us. The world then, and the world now, is not worthy of God. It has always rebelled against Him. Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?

God condemned the world through Noah’s preparation — he built the ark, he prepared his family, he preached to the world. That God had deemed it fit to choose him to be the recipient of such a blessing was a great honour to Noah. Hence there was a determination in his heart to live a life of cleaving to God, a bending of his own will in submission to God and to obey Him. It distinguished him from the people in his generation. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD … Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:8-9).

He lived a life of righteousness. Not of sinlessness but of constant submission to God. Noah lived a surrendered life. He surrendered his ambition to God, and in turn, made his life goal the complete, no- questions-asked execution of God’s will. He focused his efforts on what really mattered in the light of God’s revelation to him.

Dear friends, the world today continues to focus its efforts on building yet bigger barns and taller buildings. When one structure is torn down, another bigger, taller, grander, more ostentatious, more spectacular edifice is built in its place.

What will save us from the coming judgment of God? Only faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will save us and our family. Dear friends, is there a holy submission to God and His Word in your life?

Noah received a righteous man’s reward by (according to or by way of) faith. Noah passed from the old world to a new world. He inherited the new world together with his family. All who believed did not perish in the global cleansing God meted out upon all mankind.

But there is more to come. Be warned there is yet another global “flood” of God’s judgment that is coming. This time it shall be by fire.

This is recorded for us by the Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 3:10-13, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

Rejoice, for our inheritance is the new heavens and the new earth which our Lord will re-create and where we shall reign with Christ as His bride. We can also look forward to the New Jerusalem which will come upon this new heaven and new earth, and this wonderful promise in Revelation 21:4, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

 

(2) Enjoy the Fruit of Your Labour (v15)

15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.

Solomon recommends that while seeing the unexplainable that the people of God would 2 Thessalonians 3:12-13 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

Enjoy the pleasures that come as reward for the work that you do!

 

(3) Be Contented with Having No Answers (v16-17)

16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) 17 Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

Solomon endeavoured to diligently seek answers to life’s enigmas and was contented to realise that he doesn’t know. It is beyond his understanding and reach humanly speaking and he is willing to rest contented with having no answers.

We are not discouraged from seeking and searching out to understand the works of God. But we must stop short where God provides us no answer in His Word.

Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

 Deuteronomy 29:29 tells us there are those closed doors of knowledge known only to God and not unlocked to man. But there is that knowledge that is revealed to man, these are providentially written and perfectly preserved in God’s Word. In a limited sense, a mystery is a secret. But a mystery is truth known by divine revelation. God uncovers the secret for us in His Word and it is for God’s children to unravel that mystery by the deep study of His Word. This term “mystery” refers to that which has been kept secret by God in the past, but which He has now chosen to make plain.

Herein is the difference between secrets and mysteries, biblically speaking. Deuteronomy 29:29 is a warning to God’s children not to rebel against God’s boundary of revelation, not to venture beyond. That realm that is locked and unfathomable, let it remain so, for it is the will of God. It is in His pleasure, to withhold it for our good. The “secret things” refer to “things hidden”. Although these things are secret to us, they are not secret to God, thus the phrase “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God.” And the sequel, “but the things which are revealed belongs to us and our children forever” tells us that what God has revealed to us, in His

Word will not be lost but remains with God’s children for every generation to come. The context is with reference to all the words of God’s law. What comfort it is for God’s children that they can be guided by those same words of Scripture revealed to their forefathers, available in every generation by the providential hand of God.

 

CONCLUSION

May God’s wisdom rest with His people. Amen.

 

[1] http://www.who.int/mental_health/management/depression/wfmh_paper_depression_wmhd_2012.pdf