Getting Back To The Basics

Introduction: One missionary was quoted saying, “ Whatever you are, be all there. Live to the highest every situation you believe to be the will of God.” The Psalmist put it this way in

Psalm 118:24 KJV 1900

This is the day which the Lord hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

psalm

Instead of allowing grief or circumstances to consumes ones life, Solomon urges that whatever remains of the mystery in our lives, it must not prevent us from enjoying life. our tendency is to mope about worrying about the things we don’t have, or the things that aren’t as good as what our neighbor has, or how much better it could have been if we would have married THAT PERSON instead of this person!!!!

We need to take life as a gift from His hand, and receive God’s plan to enjoy life.

So how are we supposed to live? If we follow Solomon’s advice and God’s plan, the options are simple. we’re to live life to its fullest.

Committed to God

Thoroughly involved

Devoted to our marriage

Free of guilt

thoroughly involved

Happy- so happy that it is contagious

The verses before us form an “invitation to life”

I. ENCOURAGEMENT. v. 7

“ go thy way” - seize the dat; Solomon is encouraging the reader not to let life go by without experiencing happiness.

Don’t sit around and worry.! get up and live!

context.

Yes, this life ends, death is coming, but God gives good gifts to enjoy, so enjoy them.

“ eat thy bread” “ drink thy wine “- the two are frequently representative in Scripture of that which God gives to comfort and cheer us; speaks of fellowship. “ with a merry heart “

sad thing is, not everyone that sits down to a meal enjoys it.

prov. 15:17

Proverbs 15:17 KJV 1900

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Proverbs 17:1 KJV 1900

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

Solomon felt that loved turned an ordinary meal into a banquet!!

“ God now accepteth thy work “- approved; “ accepted in the beloved “ we are special objects of His gifts of love. Why? Because we are in Christ. We are no longer distant foes, we are intimate friends. No wonder we can eat and drink with cheer!!!

Remember that’s the non alcoholic drink!!

II. EXHORTATION. v. 8

Verse 7 is not a green light to compromise

Verse 8 deals with the walk of the encouraged person in v. 7

A. WALK IN PURITY. V. 8a, pure in spirit

“ garments always white” - a symbol of purity and righteousness. The idea is to live a pure and Godly life.

B. LIFE OF POWER. v. 8b, power of indwelling spirit

“ thy head lack no oil “ symbol of the Spirit of God. Purity is always a prerequisite for power.

Purity allows the power of the Spirit to flow through us.

III. ENJOYMENT. v. 9

“ live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest “ - great counsel. Translates “ See life with the wife you love “ - “ to see “ was used in a more comprehensive manner than we use it today. It was used of those who were in the midst of experiencing any of the full range of human emotions and passions. Solomon is telling us that God would have us thoroughly enjoy life with our mates.

IV. ENTHUSIASM. v. 10

col. 3:23

Colossians 3:23 KJV 1900

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Get involved and work vigorously to the glory of God while you still have life in your body.

Put everything you have within you into each task.

throw yourself fully into all of life. Don’t hold back, there is no reason to save strength.

you may retire from a career, but how many of you know there is no retirement from Christianity!!!

Solomon has already listed some common experiences of home life:

Happy, leisurely meals. v. 7

A life of purity and power. v. 8

A faithful loving marriage. v. 9

Hard work. v. 10

These are all the traditional values of life.

Article “ Law and Justice “ by Jay Sekulow

V. EXPLANATION. v. 11-12

You can’t guarantee what will happen in life, because life is unpredictable.

Our abilities are no guarantee of success. Advantages and resources often mean very little if God is not in those talent. Solomon gives five assets enjoyed by those who would appear to be the most likely to succeed. The “ swift “, “ strong “, “ wise “, “ understanding”, and the “ skilled .”

Proverbs 21:30 KJV 1900

There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against the Lord.

It is a Vain thing to trust in any human qualities rather than in the living God.

Human ability cannot guarantee success.

“ Human purity can guarantee success.”

Joshua 1:8 KJV 1900

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Verse 11 reminds us that we are all victims of time and chance. Merit is not always rewarded, and the world can be unfair.

mat

Matthew 5:45 KJV 1900

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

The hand of God has a way of bringing about contrasting results rather than expected results.

ILLUSTRATION: Living on the Ragged Edge by Chuck Swindoll

Verse 12 reminds us that God has a way of bringing all of our plans to an abrupt halt; unexpectedly.