Ecc. 5: Riches are Meaningless

Ecclesiastes 5:18 "Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot."

Going into God's presence, his house is no half-hearted endeavor. Its best to let one's words be few, rather than babble incessantly. Who are you trying to impress? Does God need a long, flowery prayer? Uh uh. Think about what you will say. Speak what's on your heart. Speak in sincerity. This is a sweet sound in God's ear.

Even worse than mindless jabbering is an unfulfilled vow to God. Its better not to even make these vows.

When someone suggests that riches are meaningless, it makes me stop to think. Never one who has considered himself monetarily rich, I think, how could that be meaningless? Solomon makes it pretty clear. No matter how much money and power you have, there is always someone above you with more, and he has his eye on you, just as you have your eye on a lesser person, always making sure they don't garner as much wealth as you.

This fear takes away meaning.

No matter what you have, if your pursuit is still riches, you never have enough.

This dissatisfaction takes away meaning.

The more you have, the more people you have around you consuming them and needing them.

This co-opting takes away meaning.

When you have much, you have much to worry about.

This concern takes away meaning.

Naked you came, naked you depart. You take nothing with you at death.

This temporal understanding takes away meaning.

Under the sun, its toil in darkness and frustration. God, who is above the sun gives joy and meaning in life, in the labor of your life. God gives the ability to truly enjoy possessions and the labor of your life. I love the last verse. I want God to keep me occupied by the gladness of my heart. Think about that.

Ps. 30: Praise for Deliverance

Psalm 30:11 "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy..."

Another Psalm of praise. And David has much to sing about. He has prayed for deliverance, and received it. What an amazing thing to happen! When you pray for something wonderful, and God is inclined to give that to you. Not only is there joy in God's gift, but also the idea that, even if just for a moment, your desires match up with God's will. Is that too much to think about myself? Does it lessen God's will? I don't believe so. But at any rate, it is quite amazing, and I wonder how often I forget to offer a special praise for it.

I learn a couple things about God in verse 5. "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."

To me this sounds like a God who in His very nature is favorable. Who would at all times rejoice. He becomes angry. He is not angry. He weeps, but it ceases, and joy is uncovered. Wailing is turned into joy. Sackcloth of mourning isn't meant to be worn at all times in the world of this God. Dancing is a celebration unto God. 

Early 11th Century depiction of Psalm 30.

Ps. 5: God Does It

Psalm 5:7 "But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple."

Any power man appears to have is little more than an illusion. Either way, good or bad. David acknowledges this here in the fifth Psalm in numerous ways. David cries to no one else for help but to his King, that being God. Not to his prophets or his minions, as Absalom did. 

The scriptures say "In the morning" David lays his requests before God. This is the first thing he does with his requests. He goes to God first. He doesn't appear to try things first. He comes and asks God before he does anything else. Can you imagine starting the day like this? Before your feet hit the floor out of bed, you've already made your requests known, you've already interacted with God?

All these other people, the liars, the wicked, the arrogant...those who take pleasure in evil, their power is not David's power. Not even close. They are destroyed by God's presence. They cannot stand. This is where the power is. David says that he can stand. That he can approach God's throne. But this is not by David's power. It is God who allows it. God favors David's reverence, and therefore allows him to live. If David went in all cocky and brash, he'd be destroyed too. He also doesn't credit his own righteousness as being the reason God keeps him. He says, "God, it's by your great mercy." He doesn't consider himself better, just under God's grace.

I love verse 11. One can only experience true joy when one's refuge is in God. Joy enough to sing. What's made you so happy you could sing? My wedding day. When I found out I was going to be a dad. When Magglio hit that home run off Huston Street in the bottom of the ninth of the ALCS to send the Tigers to the 2006 World Series. I sung out loud after those types of things. The point is, if God's shield of protection is over someone, what does he have to fear? Where fear vacates, joy saturates. Then you sing!

Ps. 4: A Greater Joy

Psalm 4:7 "You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound."

What's with asking God to "answer me when I call?" Who is David to think himself in any place to demand this of God? Is it really a demand? I guess when I hear someone say "Answer me," it's always a demand, usually out of desperation. But perhaps David was requesting an answer. For peace and protection from his enemies. As the king of Israel back then, I'd imagine he'd have quite a few, especially after the years of conquest.

Is simply "hearing" a man's prayer an example of God's mercy? Of course a God-follower believes God hears all prayers. I would guess the word hear is more closely resembling a court hearing. To consider carefully and to then make a ruling or take action.

David then turns his attention to his enemies, whether foreign or domestic. They apparently rejoice in his shortcomings. Don't you? When your enemy screws up or fails? I do. To turn ones glory into shame is probably an allusion to God, who is David's glory.

Verse 4 talks about anger. Its a revelation that anger is not a sin, for he says, "In your anger, do not sin." He suggests the practical here. To relax. Calm down. That can ease anger, and at the very least, return one to rationality.

Perhaps this command to offer right sacrifices refers to people who had not been making the trip to the tabernacle, and instead offering them in unapproved high places. These were allowed by many kings in Israel's time, but were not something that pleased God.

The thrust of the fourth Psalm must be that true, great joy only comes from God, while disappointment and searching ("who can show us any good?") are a result of not looking for him.