Ecclesiastes 9:1-18
9:1-2 The nature of life is the same for everyone, but the people who submit themselves to God's will are safe within His hands. To live in accordance with God's will is to claim His promises of protection and provision, strength and other blessings. God provides the blessings that change and/or help us to the good outcome of impossible situations.
9:3-4 Life on earth culminates in death for every person, but children of God have the hope of eternal life. It truly makes a difference in life to have an eternal perspective; our God has a master plan, complex and deep and wide. A humble life lived in submission to God's will is better than a wicked life, lived as a powerful leader.
9:5-6 Life is a beautiful thing to retain, but the wicked do not retain it. They no longer learn and seek and inquire, they no longer have reward or enjoyment, even their memory is erased. Their relationships and friendships and partnerships perish. Life is an inheritance for the righteous. All of the precious aspects of life are continued for the people who live with compassion and justice.
9:7-8 There is added enjoyment in life to live in a way that is acceptable to God. We are blessed as we live and please Him with our good works. We are provided for and protected by our Father.
9:9 Solomon advised that one should live joyfully with their spouse. To love them throughout life. Love is the method of life that God encourages and Jesus exemplified.
9:10 It is beneficial to the condition of our spirit to do things with our whole-heart and attention and effort. Right now, this life, is our opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
9:11 There is no perfect formula for life which causes what we want to happen to happen. We do not have enough wisdom or power to avoid or ensure certain situations. Scripture, however, has enabled us to have access to blessings of strength and provision that only God is able to provide. Therefore even we are not swift or strong or wise enough, we still have incredible opportunity in life.
9:12 We have limited time here; Solomon wanted us to understand how precious this time is... how important it is to listen and learn from God and live righteously here while we have the chance.
9:13-18 Solomon made several profound realizations: wisdom is more powerful than brute strength. He also noted that humanity did not value quiet wisdom. Instead, humanity celebrates power, even though it often leads to folly and destruction and oppression.
If you wish to be valued, cultivate a relationship with God. Humanity may not appreciate the humble or quietly wise but God deeply loves His children, His patient, conscientious students who are learning about life and what to value directly from Him.
