Verse of the Day 12/29

Ecclesiastes 8:15(ESV)  And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.

 

In the verses from the past couple of days we've seen where God, through Moses and Joshua, commended courage.  In today's verse King Solomon commends joy.

 

This is one of the verses that is easily twisted, especially when several translations say "eat, drink, and be merry".   I can see where in comes from and the thought may not be totally wrong, but replacing merry with "joy" changes things.

John MacArthur notes that "in no way does Solomon commend unbridled, rampant indulgence in sin.... his focus here is on the resolve to enjoy life in the face of the injustice that surrounded him."

 

There will be plenty of people who will try to eat, drink and be merry over the next few days, but there merriment will lead to a hangover, or worse.  The type of joy expressed by MacArthur is something different, it is deeper, fuller, richer and not dependent on the immediate circumstances.

 

This type of joy requires the courage mentioned over the past couple of days.  My sons, Jeff and Jason, have both shown me this joy and this courage in their lives in the way the have overcome life's challenges.  Jeffrey suffered a traumatic brain injury and his life will be a challenge but he is the most joyful person I know.  Just this morning he thanked me again for "this wonderful life".  My son Jason was diagnosed several years ago with an inoperable brain tumor, but through faith and hope in Jesus, he wouldn't let it keep him down and has experienced great joy through it, especially when earlier this year he found out that the tumor is literally gone.

 

The eat, drink and be joyful her speaks to our basic needs, our sustenance.  We can only truly find this and be satisfied when we acknowledge that they come from God.

May you experience today and in the coming year, the joy in following and serving Jesus.

 

There is joy in serving Jesus
As I journey on my way
Joy that fills my heart with praises
Every hour and every day

There is joy in serving Jesus
Joy; that triumphs over pain
Fills my heart with heaven's music
Till I join the glad refrain

 

There is joy, joy
Joy in serving Jesus
Joy that throbs within my heart
Every moment, every hour
As I draw upon His power
There is joy, joy
Joy that never shall depart

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Ecclesiastes 8:14-15  English Standard Version (ESV) Man Cannot Know God's Ways

 

 ¹⁴ There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. ¹⁵ And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.