May 26, Reading 2 – Ecclesiastes 5, 6

Reading

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SAA Notes

Don’t let the evils of life rob you of your faith in God and your pleasure in the ordinary joys of life.

SJA Notes

“… and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil …”

To accept our lot.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in righteous indignation at perceived inequality and injustice, our focus driven by our jealousy or our weakness – That we rail against God’s sovereign will for us.

It is hard when we see others in a different situation to us, particularly when that situation is graded as “better” by the world around us.

However, God is clear. Solomon’s words tell us pointedly,

“Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.”

THIS IS OUR LOT.

“Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil – this is the gift of God.”

God doesn’t ask us to feel guilty about having wealth and possessions that came about through His providence. And we should take care not to make others suffer this guilt either.

Instead we are to remember that our _lot_ is from the Lord.

Where we are in life, our situation, our blessings (temporal and spiritual, earthly and heavenly) – These are from the Lord.

It is HIS will that we submit under.

Peter’s words in 1 Peter chapter 5 are a fantastic exhortation to us in this!

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

* Sovereign God,

Thank You for Your grace and mercy to us.

You give to us what we do not deserve.

You do not give to us what we do deserve.

Please help us wrestle with our lot in life, the lot You have given us.

Your Will be done here on earth Lord God,

Amen.

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