Teaching Notes

I took another walk around the neighborhood and realized that on this earth as it is—The race is not always to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor satisfaction to the wise, Nor riches to the smart, Nor grace to the learned. Sooner or later bad luck hits us all. No one can predict misfortune. Like fish caught in a cruel net or birds in a trap, So men and women are caught By accidents evil and sudden. - Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 (The Message)

Whose in charge of the race?

MONDAY

Background - If you read this scripture along with the rest of Ecclesiastes, you would think the writer was depressed or had no hope. Today we will look at some of the background on this book before we go into explaining this scripture (which we will start tomorrow). There is debate regarding who wrote this book, even though the traditional view is Solomon. Some of the reason for this view is in 1:1 - states son of Davie, king in Jerusalem, 1:12 - king over Israel in Jerusalem, 2:4-9 - Solomon riches and accomplishments as king.

The word found in scripture as the writer is "Qoheleth", which is sometimes translated as preacher in some versions. This writer states as the overarching theme of this book that all is vanity (or meaningless). This word is used 38 times. The writer also talks about "life under the sun" (used 29 times). This view is there is a limited perspective of line in the present world. As I stated earlier, it would seem the writer is painting a depressing picture about life. However, this book along with Job balances out the Psalms and the Proverbs. When you read the Psalms and Proverbs you come away with the understanding that if you are good or righteous, good things follow you, if you are wicked, back or wicked things follow you.

This is true, however where does the person fit that is good or righteous but bad things happen? Job and this book helps to explain that bad does sometimes happen even to those that are righteous. The writer looks at three 3 principles about life under the sun. He recognizes that even the best things in life sometimes have a bad side. he also realizes you must enjoy life but do not expect too much from it. And finally he realizes that the ultimate good is to fear God and keep his commandments. While we do not encourage you to take this dim view, there is truth in what the writer gives us. As difficult as you may or may not find life, the ultimate encouragement is to fear God and keep his commandments.

Prayer: Lord as we take a look this week at the writing of Ecclesiastes, help us to see your message of truth. Help us to understand you are in charge of all, even those things that seem to be out of control to us, you already know and are in control of. Help us this week to have total faith in you. Amen.

TUESDAY

We discussed yesterday some of the background of the writer of this book. Now today we look at the scripture itself. The writer states that he took a look around. What he is stating is in his everyday life he has been making some observations. We all make observations in our lives. We watch people and based on what we see we come to some conclusions. The writer did the same thing. After years of observing things he gives his conclusion on those matters. The first conclusion he makes is that the race is not always given to the swift.

We would tend to think this could not be a true statement. We've seen races in the Olympics and track meets. The one that would win the race is always the fastest one, right? Not so. I saw the Olympics over the summer and everyone was talking about the African runner that was extremely fast. However when he had to do a long distance run he not only didn't win, he lost positioning as the race went along. Why would this happen you may thing? This was not his type of race. He was use to the quick races that started quickly and ended quickly. He was not trained or use to the long distance racing and it was apparent in his showing in the race.

This is true for us today as we look at our spiritual lives. There are some people that you think may be quick and because of it they are surely going to win this race. However they are sprinters. They run quick and run out of steam if asked to go for long distances. The ones that may not be so quick or fast but are good at the long distance are more equipped for the longer races and are able to win because they could stay the course. That is what God can do for you. If you ask him to help you be a long distance runner instead of a sprinter in life, he will help by taking over your race. He will become your trainer and help you to finish strong. Do you want to finish strong?

Prayer: Lord the writer said he observed that it wasn't always the quick that won the race. Lord I do not want to come out the gate strong, but tire along the way. Help me to stay strong and even if I am not the fastest runner, help me to endure the race. Amen.

WEDNESDAY

The writer said he observed something else. He observed that the battle is not always given to the strongest. Surely this has to be a wrong observation? Not so. Think even about some of the battles that the children of Israel fought? They were not the biggest army, they did not have the most men yet God would use their small amounts and strange battle techniques to win the battle. This observation lets us know that human strength, though good, is not stronger than God. We can determine in ourselves to do something by our own strength but that is not a promise that we will be victorious in those battles. The only way we can know we will be victorious in battle is when we yield ourselves to God and let him fight our battle. It is in this instance we learn that the laying down of human strength and accepting human limitations places us in the position to see godly strength and God's unlimited power. God is the one that is truly in charge of the race. Are you letting him win your battles or are you trying in your own power and failing?

Prayer: Lord I no longer want to try and do things by my own power. I want to release myself into your hands and allow your strength to win the battle, for the battle is yours. Help me to understand that even more this year as I trust in you. Amen.

THURSDAY

The third thing our writer observes is that riches are not always given to the smart or satisfaction to the wise. In our world this seem contradictory. We are told the rich have all the power and those that are wise are satisfied in themselves. That may be true on the surface of our understanding, but not in the spiritual sense. Did you realize that no matter how smart you are you cannot obtain the riches of God? Nor can you be satisfied in Jesus because of your wisdom and understanding? Did you know the things of God are hard to understand by this worlds wisdom? The things of God are spiritually understood and that only comes from ones relationship with God. The writer reminds us that there are somethings that we simply cannot control because of the things we have. We cannot make ourselves rich (spiritually or even physically) simply because we believe we have control. If God does not grants us the provisions for this to happen, it will not. God still is in charge of all, even if we do not see it.

Prayer: Lord I want to be rich in your glory, your provisions and you. Help me also to be satisfied with you even if everything else seems not to satisfy. The writer says all things are meaningless and they are, if we do not seek you first. Help me this year to have a greater focus on you so that I can see you and you alone. Amen.

FRIDAY

The last observation the writer talks about is that misfortune hits everybody sooner or later. While this seems down or depressing it should actually be viewed differently. When difficulty comes our way we should think back on these words and understand that in to every life comes some good and some bad. Are we to be exempt because we are children of God? That is not found anywhere in scripture. However what we have that is different from others is that we, believers know who is in charge of our race. We do not have to be distracted because of road blocks. Instead our God will show us when to venture of the course we are on to the next course that will lead us to the finish line. All is vanity or meaningless as the writer states. It is meaningless without a relationship with God. He also reminds us from the three points of Monday that there will be bad times, however continue to enjoy life as you have it. Enjoy what God has given you. Do not allow situations or circumstances to take the joy from your life. And he states that ultimately the only true good is our relationship with God. That is what we must seek first if we want to win this race. Whose in charge of your race?

Prayer: Lord today help me to find the joy in my life even if I find myself in difficult situations. Help me to hold onto that joy and be thankful to you for what I do have. Help me not to grow weary or tired on this race. I want you to be the one in charge of my race. Amen.