Thank you for listening to Servants for Christ. And all that we do and all that we say, we want to give glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for tuning us in as we get into the wonderful Word of God. For the next few minutes, let's take the beautiful Word of God and share it with each and every one of you as we have a sense of anticipation to take the Word of God and to listen to its truth for each and every one. Thank you for tuning us in as we continue on with our devotions from Ecclesiastes, Wisdom for Life's Journey. I'm glad that the book of Ecclesiastes deals with some of life's biggest questions. Hey, what's the meaning of life? How can we find contentment in uncertain times? And how do we navigate a world full of both beauty and brokenness? This series unpacks the timeless wisdom guiding us toward God's purpose for our lives. Ecclesiastes reveals about the wealth of pleasure and all of the true fulfillment of a relationship with God. And I'm glad that each devotion connects us to the lessons to our everyday lives, highlighting God's sovereignty, the value of time, and the joy of his gifts. As we get into it, may we be reminded as we talk about the approach to life's constraints. Let's open up with a word of prayer before we go any further. Father, we come before you acknowledging your sovereignty over all things. Help us to understand your purpose for the authorities that you place in our lives, on our jobs, our parents, those that are in authority over us, those in government. Teach us to submit with the wisdom and the humility following your example in all circumstances. And may your word guide us as we seek to honor you through our obedience. Father, thank you for all that you do, and I pray, God, that, Lord, as we look to you, that you'll give us Lord Father, what it means to truly fear you, not in terror, but in worship respect, as children who trust and honor their father. Open our hearts to understand your justice and love so that we may live wisely and faithfully in this world. And so Father, I pray God that as we embrace the gift of life, as we come before you, Help us to understand the joy that comes from living in a relationship with you. Teach us to enjoy the good gifts that you provide while trusting in your perfect plan, knowing that the ultimate joy is found in you alone. In Jesus' mighty name, amen. As we look at the approach to life's restraints, we'll be talking about pursuing wisdom as a guiding light in verse one. In verses two through seven, we'll be talking about the respect and follow the legitimate authority. In verse eight, we're gonna acknowledge the limits of human power. In verses nine through 14, we're gonna be talking about reflecting deeply on the world's complexities. And lastly, in verses 15 through 17, we're gonna be talking about appreciating and delighting in the gift of life from God. When we look at Ecclesiastes chapter eight, we look and we see about honoring authority, submitting to authority. I'm glad that when Christ, who is wisdom, lives by the power of the Holy Spirit in the heart of man, man is made intelligent. And his face, discontent from gloominess, is made bright and peaceful. And so, I'm glad that when we look at the wonderful Word of God and as we read it, as we go, I'm glad that one of the first things I see that as I'm talking to you is the responses that many people will try to answer and that is, What is wisdom? How do you define wisdom? Well, wisdom, according to the word of God, is the ability to see life from God's perspective and then to know the best course of action to take. And so, I'm glad when we have the approach to life's constraints, I'm glad that we learn how to apply wisdom daily. I'm glad that, first of all, what we see is that a wise person has the ability to see life from God's perspective. Living wisely is the result of fearing God. And Solomon, his virtue of fearing the Lord, close to 20 times in Proverbs and the Book of Ecclesiastes, both, specifically states that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. In other words, the first step toward becoming wise is acknowledging and fearing God and recognizing that He is always right and has all the answers. So, we live wisely as a result of fearing God. We live wisely as a result of knowing God. We can only know God's perspective when we know Him. If you're lost, you have no idea what I'm talking about. But we seek and know God, and that should be the number one priority of every believer. The great reward for seeking God is finding Him. We live wisely in the result of knowing and understanding God's inspired word. So, what am I saying? To live wisely is the result of fearing God, the result of knowing God, and it's the result of knowing and understanding God's inspired word, praise God. And so, a wise person has the ability to see life from God's perspective. But secondly, a wise person knows the best course of action to take. Wisdom is perceptive. And so God has given every one of us a very special principle in his holy word that tells us how to walk day by day. And as we read it, we can sense the Holy Spirit revealing wisdom, listen, to us. So wisdom is perceptive, but also wisdom is practical. It's not something that we merely possess in our heads, but something that we practice in our lives. Wisdom is applying God's principles in our lives on a daily basis. It's up to us to get into God's word and to discern what he is saying and to learn the principle that he's laid out for us. And it requires that we be open and sensitive to his leading in all things. And so wisdom is perceptive. Wisdom is practical and wisdom is personal because God When we look out in space somewhere far away from us, He's very near at all times. He knows us. He has a personal plan for every individual and for every situation we face and every decision that we must make. God has an ideal course of action for all of us. And if we need wisdom to determine the right course of action, God's wisdom is available to each and every one of us. What did the book and the writer of James tell us in James 1, 5? If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and abradeth not, and it shall be given him. You see? Here in chapter eight, Solomon continues to sing the praises of wisdom, dealing with life's limitations, dealing with life's challenges, dealing with life inequalities, to live wisely, to see life from God's perspective, to know the best course, to action, to take. And so, this is the way that we handle the limitations of life, that we live wisely day by day. And so, I'm so glad, Abe Mann, that when we look and we realize that our Savior Boy, I think God's life's blessings, we recognize the beauty of what God has provided. And so, when we read verse one, the Bible says, who is as the wise man and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing, a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine and the boldness of his face shall be changed. So we seek to be wise, he's telling us. Sometimes life is not fair or just, and neither ability, wealth, power, family, friends, authorities, courts, or circumstances can make it fair and just. Do you hear me? That's the fact of life that most people learn at a very young age. And yet, it is very, very difficult concept to accept. Nevertheless, the wise person will seek to rise above the situation, be victorious in life. But in spite of its many injustices out in the world today, Solomon encourages us this very first point. You need to seek to be wise. That's what I read in verse one. And when you seek to be wise, wisdom analyzes and interprets the meaning of things. Children have the habit of asking frequent questions. Oh my Lord, they will wear you out. We've been empty nest for years. But I remember back when questions were asked, and especially when I do vacation Bible school, when I taught Sunday school with children, that children can continuously wham, bam, bam, keep them questions coming at you, which is good. Children have that habit of asking frequent questions. And while this can often be frustrating to a parent, it is simply a part of the children's and child's inquisitive nature. Why? Why? Their little minds seek to investigate and understand everything they see. And therefore, they ask, why is the sky blue? And why do turtles have a shell? And as we grow older, the questions become far deeper. Listen to me. Where did the world, where did the universe begin? What is the origin of life? Where am I here? What is my purpose? Why does my wife and my husband have cancer? Why was my job eliminated? Why did God allow this to happen? And as young people and as adults, we seek to understand what things are and why they happen the way they do. but simply stated, we seek to understand life and the world in which we live, and we seek the wisdom to handle all that happens in life. And therefore, I tend to analyze and interpret the meaning of things a lot of times. But in our search for understanding and wisdom, we must always remember what God's holy word teaches. God is the source of wisdom. True wisdom begins with God. And therefore the person that seeks understanding and wisdom must seek God. They must seek his and search his word. The desire to know his perspective on all things. Once a person has God's perspective, then that individual can learn the truth as he or she analyzes and interprets the meaning of life and the world. And so, verse one, when we seek to be wise, wisdom analyzes and interprets the meaning of things, but also wisdom brightens a person's outlook on life and softens his or her countenance as well. Because, you know, what did I say? And a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. And so, that person's outlook on life softens his or her countenance. Solomon opened this section with two rhetorical questions. Who is like the wise man? And who knows how to interpret things? And so the answers are very evident throughout the book of Ecclesiastes. No one is like the wise man. No one compares to that individual. You see, there's a reason why a wise person is unparalleled because, listen, because wisdom changes a person. Number one, wisdom makes a person's face shine. It literally changes a person's countenance or demeanor. I've even looked at twins. that are even real young. And you know what? There's something about the difference in the two of them. Even though they may be identical, one of them's got a shine to them, I hate to say it, and the other one doesn't. This phase of all of us when we look and realize that wisdom brightens a man's face, lightens up, illuminates, and the unjust circumstances of our world out there today can darken a person's whole outlook and behavior. They can fill an individual with frustration and despair. But thank God, glory, hallelujah, wisdom can change that. And it can actually alter a person's appearance. You say how? When a man or a woman sees his world, his circumstances, his trials, his challenges from God's perspective. It transforms the outlook on life and our burdens become blessings and our stumbling blocks become stepping stones and there is a peaceful calm. that takes over and carries the wise individuals through the dark gloomy valleys of life. And so, What did I say first? Wisdom makes a person's face shine, but secondly, wisdom changes the hardness of a man's face, and it softens its hard appearance and its sternness. And while people are mastering themselves with disguises to try to not let anyone see their true identity and true feelings, others show every emotion on their faces because they can't help it. And some expressions reveal hearts that are heavy. hearts that are full of concern, hearts that are bearing crushing burdens. Other faces are hardened from years of trouble and sorrow. And man, can you realize that the wisdom that affects this? Because wisdom that truly seeks God through prayer and the study of his word enables a person to recognize God's purposes and to know that God's grace is sufficient for the trials and afflictions endured. And so, Each and every one of us, wisdom seeks the answers to life's questions and it's a dilemmas. When we think about wisdom, making a person's face shine, we're reminded of the transfiguration of Christ. There was Jesus' face shown like the sun in Matthew chapter 17, verse two, and the appearance of his face changed in Luke chapter nine, verse 29. But you know what? The apostles witnessed that magnificent moment that brief instant that the veil of the Lord's humanity was lifted and the glory that was within him, the glory of his deity ascended to the surface and readily burst out where everyone could see it. and the very real sense of what happens when we receive wisdom from God. He grants us understanding and He reveals His perspective to us. We're able to see His glory in the midst of our troubled world out there today. And when His glory through wisdom floods our hearts, It shines on our faces. We cannot help but be what we have inside of us with the relationship of Jesus Christ. And as believers, we should be aware of how we come across to the unbelievers of the world and how that we may be the only witness for Christ that some people will ever see. And therefore, we should not be wearing a frown and going around with a downcast appearance or behavior. Rather, we need to seek wisdom We need to be able to seek God's perspective. And when he shows us his glory, it will lighten our loads and uplift our spirits and brighten our faces in the process. Hallelujah. And so we look and we see secondly, that not only that when we look and we realize that first, that we pursue wisdom as a guiding light, number one, Because we strive for understanding that brightens the path of life and it brings clarity. And so number one of the approach to life's constraints is we need to pursue wisdom as a guiding light. But secondly, in verses two through seven, we need to respect and follow the legitimate authority. I know some of you have problems with authority. but we honor those that are in leadership, pastors, teachers, our school teachers, those in authority, our mothers, our fathers, and we recognize the role of order in society today. Listen to what the wisdom that tells us in verse 2 down to verse 7, that it says, I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, that in regard of the oath of God, Be not hasty to go out of his sight, and stand not in an evil thing, for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. Where the word of a king is, there is power, and who may say unto him, What doest thou? In verse five, whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing, and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment. In verse six, because to every purpose there is a time and judgment, and therefore the misery of man is great upon him. And then verse seven, lastly, for he knoweth not what which shall be, for who can tell him when it shall be? And so, we respect and follow legitimate authority. We obey authority. And Solomon applies wisdom to Pacific areas of life, submitting to following authority, amen. And the reason that you commit yourself is you swore before God, he said. What did he say? He said, I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment and that in regard of the oath of God. I'm glad Paul said, let every soul be subject unto the higher powers for there's no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God. And so, I'm telling you, when we look and realize that we see the reason for this is that we obey authority. And the admonitions that he talks about in verses three through seven, that a wise person should respond cautiously when having conflict with authority. Amen? And so each and every one of us, we remember that authority cannot be challenged without consequences. And so, be wise and choose the right time and way to question authority, is what we see. God's word is perfectly clear, as believers, we are to be respectful and submissive toward those in authority. And in fact, Jesus himself teaches us to obey authorities, and the apostles practiced submission, and the authors of the epistles mandated it from the Christian citizens. The practice of the early church and its leaders was to follow the laws of God, with one exception. Listen to me. when the decree of the government contradicted the command of God to preach the gospel. At such times, Peter and the apostles determined that they should obey God rather than the authorities of the nation. Read it over in Acts chapter 5 verse 29. And what is shocking to learn is this fact. It was the high priest of the Jewish government, not a Roman ruler, who issued the decree to the apostles not to preach God's word. The boldness of the apostles, that was an outstanding example for us to follow because we should obey those in authority with one exception. When they command us to disobey God, Consider for a moment the attitudes of the early church members who obeyed God. Some were persecuted even to the point of death because of their faith and their obedience to God. Stephen, he was stoned in Acts chapter 7. Peter and John when they were beaten in Acts chapter 5. Paul and Silas who were in prison after they had been stripped and beaten in Acts chapter 16. Paul as he stood before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa in Acts chapter 24. And you know what? Even when we're up against the enemies of Christ, who were also their enemies. These early Christians were gracious and respectful, displaying the love of Christ toward those who persecuted them. Though they remained faithful to God, they were respectful still to the authorities. Ain't like what I see on television today. Oh my God. Many of us are blessed to live in countries where democracy has been established and we've got the voice in our government. Tragically, though, I say that a host of our brothers and sisters in Christ, they live in countries where they have no voice. And even worse, a greater number of them that are persecuted and martyred for their faith. And the reality makes it very difficult to understand why so many believers in free countries have such unchristlike attitudes toward their leaders. God knows. God's commands and apostles' examples are still revelant today. We're to be submissive and respectful toward those in authority, even those we strongly disagree with. And there's a proper time and there's a proper way to deal with our differences, and bad behaviors and name-calling are not a part of that plan. And as Solomon wisely recognized here in verses two through seven, amen, that we respect and follow legitimate authority, amen. And so God is greater than all authority and no one and nothing can ever stop God's love for the world and the advancement of God's kingdom. And so I'm glad that number one, as I said, as we talk about the approach to life's constraints, we pursue wisdom as a guiding light, number one. Number two, we respect and follow legitimate authority in verses two down to verse seven. But verse eight, here we talk about acknowledging the limits of human power. Because he says, there's no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit, neither hath he power in the day of death. And there is no discharge in that war. Neither shall weakness deliver those that are given to it. And so, we need to remember that no one can control life's ultimate outcomes or escape mortality. We're all mortals. And so we got to keep in mind the limitations of the human race. Solomon used common illustrations to help us because he talked about no person has the power to stop the day of death. The wind or the spirit is the element over which humans have absolutely no control. On a warm day, a cool breeze is welcome and it's refreshing. But on smothering days, the air is often completely still, offering no relief at all. And no person that practices wickedness can stop its enslaving power. because the truth of the compelling reason is why we must avoid every appearance of evil and flee rather than flirt with temptation. Wickedness does not willfully and easily release its captives." Solomon used, um, an identifiable image to stir and wake us up. We must open our eyes and fully see the power of sin. Because in wartime, soldiers are drafted, they're not discharged. Armies do not thin their ranks during an active military campaign. They build them up and reinforce in their numbers as well as their loyalty and their determination. Solomon reminds us that we're in a war. Life is a battleground, not a playground. Satan declared war on God when he rebelled against him. And so, You know what? He declared war on man in the Garden of Eden, and once we fall into Satan's deadly clutches, he does not easily let go. Like a lion, he amuses himself by toying with his prey until he finally chooses to devour it. In the light of death's unpredictability, the most important thing that we can do in this life is to prepare for that ininvitable day. And so, Death is coming for each of us, perhaps not for decades, but maybe today. And we will be wise to face each day with the realization that it may be our last. We cannot control the day of our death. We cannot control where and when we die. We must not be reckless and gamble on eternity. And we must not allow our foolish pride to condemn us to eternal separation from God and the torments of hell. And so we see, number one, pursue wisdom as a guiding light. Number two through seven, respect and follow legitimate authority. In verse eight, we acknowledge the limits of human power, but in verses nine down to verse 14, we need to reflect deeply on the world's complexities. And I'm glad that when we do that, we observe life's injustices and mysteries with a thoughtful consideration. Listen to the reading of the Word of God. In verse 9, he says, All this have I seen and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun, where there is time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt. In verse 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. And verse 11, because his 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. Verse 12, though a sinner do evil a 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. In verse 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. And then, lastly, down to verse 14. There is a vanity which doeth upon the earth, that there be just men unto whom it happened 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 is also vanity. So we observe and we think deeply about what goes on in the world. Every one of us does. Solomon applied himself wholeheartedly to the studying of certain injustices of life. But when we do that, each and every one of us, we could talk about each thing. We could talk about verse nine, that how leaders oppress and hurt others. We could talk about how the wicked are often buried in honor sometimes. People that don't even deserve honor. We see it in the modern news today. People that are being honored that don't even deserve honor. What a shame, what a hypocrisy, that they've killed lives, American lives, and yet they're getting honored. Notice that it talked about in verse 11, the delayed justice that leads to increased lawlessness as well. And so, when we look and realize that God-fearing people have a brighter future than the wicked, though, is what we're reading about, and that life on earth is not always fair. It's full of injustices. And so, The true believer has the great hope of living in a society where unfairness and injustice will be non-existent. And when Christ returns to earth to establish his kingdom, he will rule the world with perfection. Justice and fairness will prevail in every area of life. No partiality, no inequality. Prejudice, selfishness, or any other injustice will pollute Christ's kingdom because the great hope of Christ's return will affect us in at least three ways, I believe. Number one, it should stir us to live thoughtfully and respectfully because God's promises are sure and it will give us great hope. And it'll motivate us, secondly, to be faithful, because Jesus taught that those who are faithful in this life will be rewarded when he returns to set up God's kingdom on earth. And, thirdly, it should not console and comfort us in these evil days. And so, We relish the triumph stories of the great heroes of faith found in Hebrews and in the records of history down through the centuries, but we enjoy reading about the great victories of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Peter, Paul, and most of all the believers that have been persecuted and martyred for Christ since the days of the apostles. But many Bible readers stop short of following the list of heroes to its completion, because I'm glad that it reads in Hebrews 11, verses 35 and 38. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. And others had trial of cruel mocking and scourging, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with a sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and in mountains and in dens and caves of the earth. That's the part of the Hebrews that a lot of people don't get to. They get to all of the ones of faith, all the heroes of faith, but they don't get into the rest of them out there. These believers were persecuted and martyred for Christ before Christ came. Wicked people did prevail over them in a short term, but I'm glad that These dear saints of God will receive their prize when the whole race is over. And when all of us have finished the race, they suffered and died with faith in the justice and righteousness of God. They stood true to the end, believing that God would settle the matter after this life was over. And in the same way, when we are faced with great trials, when we're defeated by some in life today, and especially the ones that do people dirty, that have been faithful to them for years, We must stand faithful to the Lord no matter what, full of confidence in the promises of our Lord and the only living and true God. Because a lot of people judge people today and they don't even know the whole story. They just jump to conclusions. And so, as we get ready to close out, what have we talked about with the approach to life's constraints? Number one, we pursue wisdom as a guiding light. We strive for understanding that brightens the path of life, it brings clarity. Verses two through seven. Secondly, we talk about respect and follow legitimate authority. Honor those in leadership, recognize the role of order in society. And verse eight and number three, acknowledge the limits of human power. Remember that no one can control life's ultimate outcomes or escape mortality. And number four, verses nine through 14, reflect deeply on the world's complexities. We've got to observe life's injustices and mysteries without thoughtful consideration. And lastly, it brings to our closing devotion of verses 15 through 17, we need to appreciate and delight in the gift of life from God. Listen to the last part of our devotion in verses 15 through 17. Then I commended myrrh, 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 labor the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. When I applied my 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. Lastly, verse 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 labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it. Yea, father, though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it." Boy, when we approach life's constraints, we've got to learn how to apply wisdom daily, because we see that we've got to enjoy the life that God has given. The cruelties and the injustice of life weigh very heavily upon some people's hearts and minds, robbing them of the joy God intends them to have. And so Solomon implores us not to allow life's in equalities to snatch the joy and the meaning from our lives, in verse 17. The wise student of the Bible will listen to what is being said. Living day by day, eating and drinking is a gift from God, according to verse 15. God will give joy to the person that truly trusts Him and works hard, in verse 15. And in verse 16, there's an endless quest to understand and know all the things that can cause sleepless nights and days. But I'm glad that all of us let the pressures of life and work not rob us of the rest needed by our bodies and our minds. No one can fully comprehend all of God's works in verse 17. No person can discover all that God has done. No matter how hard we try, we cannot find the answer to all of life's questions. We cannot solve all of life's problems. And some of the things are past finding out beyond our ability to fathom and to understand. No person, not even the wisest, can know everything. Why has God ordained that life be filled with so many mysteries? Why are there, by God's decree, so many things beyond our understanding as I close? Listen to me. that we might, as Solomon recommended, enjoy life. And God does not intend for us to be burdened by the mysteries and the complexities of life, and therefore he has not given us understanding of them. We then should not allow them to steal our enjoyment of the good things in life, and that we might be able to discern what God would and would not have us to do. When God expects us to tackle an issue, he gives us wisdom and concerning And when He elevates a matter above our understanding, He expects us to leave it to Him, that our faith might be increased. We must trust God, His power, His providence, His faithfulness to deal with those things that we cannot control. We must trust that the promises that He's made to us in His Word will indeed come to pass, and that we might diligently and continually seek Him All of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in him. And in order for us to seek the one who has all the answers, he gives us questions, that we might recognize our need for him, that heaven will become sweeter to us as we look forward to that place and time when we will all have a complete knowledge at that time. But that in the end, he alone will be glorified. All of earth's problems will ultimately be solved by him. And all of life's questions will ultimately be answered by him. And all of man's wrongs and ultimately be righted by him. All that sin, cost and lost, will be redeemed by Him. And throughout all eternity, all glory and honor, it all will belong to Him. I hope and pray that you got something out of the devotion of the approach to life's constraints. It's all about applying wisdom daily. I hope and pray that as you go your separate way, each and every one of you, life's uncertainties and the path of enjoying life and being able to let Jesus, the righteous one who redeemed the world as he did, every one of us. As we close out, he calls us to enjoy life, even in a world full of injustice and uncertainty. And it reminds us to trust God and enjoy his gifts with gratitude and live with the hope of eternal joy in Christ. The world may be broken, but in Jesus, we can find true joy, a joy that will last forever. and then we can live with purpose and we can enjoy good things God has given us as we await the ultimate celebration of his presence. Let's close out. Lord, thank you for the joy and the peace, for the many blessings that you give us each day. Help us to enjoy the simple gifts that you created. Lord, I pray, Lord, in the life's uncertainties that we live with eternal perspective, And Father, as we live in your greatness and trust in your love, help us to walk in obedience, knowing that your justice is perfect. Your blessings are eternal. Strengthen our hearts to fear you rightly so that we may live as faithful witnesses in the world. And Lord, I pray that, Lord, as we close out, May our joy in you lead us to share your love and hope with us and those around us each and every day. In Jesus's marvelous mighty name we pray. you