There has beens some discussion as to the spiritual state that Solomon was in when he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes -it could have been his many wives and their gods had him a bit jaded, and that is the reason that there is more than touch of cynicism in this book!
However, 2 Timothy 3:16 says that, “all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” So, let’s go for it, let’s look at Ecclesiastes 10:7-12″
” Seize life! Eat bread with gusto,
Drink wine with a robust heart.
Oh yes—God takes pleasure in your pleasure!
Dress festively every morning.
Don’t skimp on colors and scarves.
Relish life with the spouse you love
Each and every day of your precarious life.
Each day is God’s gift. It’s all you get in exchange
For the hard work of staying alive.
Make the most of each one!
Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily!
This is your last and only chance at it,
For there’s neither work to do nor thoughts to think
In the company of the dead, where you’re most certainly headed.
I took another walk around the neighborhood and realized that on this earth as it is—
The race is not always to the swift,
Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor satisfaction to the wise,
Nor riches to the smart,
Nor grace to the learned.
Sooner or later bad luck hits us all.
No one can predict misfortune.
Like fish caught in a cruel net or birds in a trap,
So men and women are caught
By accidents evil and sudden.”
At first glance it looks like cynicism has hit Solomon again, but if we look at this carefully we have to admit – that there is truth here. First of all we should all “seize life fully,” look at life, at love, even at our clothing with exuberance! We should be happy with the gift of a day that God has given us and make sure that every day counts/
It is also truth that good guys don’t always win first, and Christians are not always going to have a pain-free existence! Bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people – time and chance do happen to us all, but as long as the toss of the coin is in the Lord’s hands -you can still count me in the game!
God Bless You and Keep You,
Maria