Ecclesiastes 7 -- Not Paralyzed By Yesterday Or Hypnotized By Tomorrow

It’s easy to think that Solomon is just being sarcastic here.  My commentary helped out by explaining what was behind what he was saying. 

He said sorrow is better than laughter.  “Laughter can be like medicine that heals the broken heart, but sorrow can be like nourishing food that strengthens the inner person.  It takes both for a balanced life, but few people realize this.”

“We must live today in the will of God and not be paralyzed by yesterday or hypnotized by tomorrow … While you are dreaming of the future or regretting the past, the present, which is all you have, slips from you and is gone.”

Regarding adversity and prosperity, my commentary explained, “God balances our lives by giving us enough blessings to keep us happy and enough burdens to keep us humble … Whey does God constitute our lives in this way?  The answer is simple:  to keep us from thinking we know it all and that we can manage our lives by ourselves.”

It also noted that verses 10-18 are easily misunderstood.  He wasn’t telling us, “Don’t be too righteous, but don’t be too great a sinner.”  According to my commentary, “He was warning them against self-righteousness and the pride that comes when we think we have arrived and know it all … We should take hold of true righteousness and should not withdraw from true wisdom, and the way to do it is to walk in the fear of God.”

Father, help me to have balance in my life.  I feel like I’ve experienced lots of adversity this year, and I’d sure love more joy.  I know that I have it in You, and I don’t know how I would have made it without You.  You have strengthened my faith this year.  Guard my heart to keep self-righteousness and pride out.  Help me not to be paralyzed by yesterday or hypnotized by tomorrow.  Show me how to not let the opportunities You present for me today slip away.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford