Faithful When Life Doesn't Make Sense.

Bobby Jamieson is a current pastor and author who has written a very helpful book called “Everything is Never Enough”, and in this commentary on Ecclesiastes, he summarized the whole story line:

Everything is absurd: Human striving leads to futility and the quest for understanding yields frustration.

Everything is a gift: Life’s joys, though fleeting, are to be gratefully received and relished.

Everything is eternally significant: Life points beyond itself to God, whom we must fear.

Bobby Jamieson, “Everything is Never Enough”

In chapters 9 and 10, the last message before the end in 11-12, we will focus on Solomon’s observations that life, while it’s uncertain, and sometimes even chaotic— we do have choices - choices to trust, to hope, and to see life as a gift. It’s the “middle” thought of the book.

Big Idea: Living faithfully in the face of life's uncertainties requires wisdom and trust that God is sovereign and He has a plan.

Ecclesiastes 9:1–3 “1 So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God’s hands, but no one knows whether love or hate awaits them. 2 All share a common destiny—the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. As it is with the good, so with the sinful; as it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to take them. 3 This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead.”

I. Embrace life's uncertainties (v. 1-2)

A. We can choose trust over fear.

Romans 8:28 NIV

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

The righteous and wise are "in the hand of God" even when we can't see His purposes

Trust requires accepting that God's ways are higher than our understanding

B. We can choose hope over despair. (v.4)

Ecclesiastes 9:4 NIV

4 Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!

There is a value of present opportunity

Hope transcends earthly circumstances through faith in God's eternal purposes- We trust that He will make a way.

Ecclesiastes 9:7–9 “7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. 8 Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. 9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.”

II. Enjoy God's blessing (v. 7-9)

A. Receive life's simple blessings as gifts.

James 1:17 NIV

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Eating and drinking with gladness as expressions of gratitude. We can express thankfulness in accepting and being content.

God's approval of enjoying His good gifts without guilt.

B. Work wholeheartedly in your calling.

Colossians 3:23–24 NIV

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

The urgency of faithful work while we have opportunity.

III. Expect God's wisdom (Ecclesiastes 9:11-18; 10:1-3)

A. Understanding the limits of human effort

Ecclesiastes 9:11, Jeremiah 9:23-24

The race doesn't always go to the swift, nor battle to the strong

Time and chance happen to all - recognizing factors beyond our control

B. Value wisdom despite its vulnerabilities

Ecclesiastes 9:17-18, 1 Corinthians 1:25-27

"The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler"

God's pattern of using the weak to confound the strong

C. Guard against small compromises

Ecclesiastes 10:1-3, 1 Corinthians 5:6

"Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench"

How small foolish acts can ruin a good reputation

Maintaining consistent godly character## IV. Speak and Lead Faithfully (Ecclesiastes 10:12-20)

Jesus is the anchor of faith. (Heb 6:19-20)

Hebrews 6:19–20 NIV

19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

While the Preacher observes life's uncertainties, Jesus provides the "sure and steadfast anchor of the soul"

Jesus embodies perfect wisdom that never fails or disappoints

In Christ, our faithfulness is not dependent on circumstances but rooted in His unchanging character

Application Questions:

How do we maintain hope when life feels unpredictable and unfair?

What simple, daily gifts from God do we often take for granted?

How can we guard against small compromises that might damage our faith testimony?

Trust God → Enjoy His gifts → Live wisely

Practical Steps for Building Faith:

Daily Trust: When facing uncertainty, remember "I am in God's hands"

Grateful Work: Approach every task as service to Christ

Wise Speech: Ask "Will these words build faith in others?"