One of the great problems in the Lord’s churches today is that we have developed a “professional ministry.” Too many preachers are more concerned with pleasing the congregation than they are with pleasing God. And, too many congregations are happy to let them do it. We are going to look into the life of a man who “told it like it was.” Vance Havner said, “You can't tell it like it is until you believe it like it was.” Elijah didn’t mince words. He was plain spoken. He had not learned the art of saying something without saying anything -- of almost saying something. You didn’t have to wonder where he stood. Too many preachers almost bring a message from the Lord. They use a Bible (some version). They say something that sounds good. They talk about love and refusing to condemn any belief of others. They get their sermons from the book of “How To Make Friends And Not Alienate People.” They are an uncertain trumpet in an uncertain day -- I Corinthians 14:8. There is only one place I want to get the message I share -- the Word of God. I don’t want to be guilty of “preaching a sermon” – a performance to fill up time. In fact, I have told the Lord I want to be an Elijah! I want a preaching ministry that is unafraid and unashamed to stand up and confront sin today. If there ever was a time that God’s preachers and God’s people need to stand up and stand out in this nation, it is NOW! With some preaching and preachers today you almost have to wonder if they’re speaking FOR God or against Him. You didn’t have that problem with Elijah. We need Elijahs today – in the pulpit, yes, but in the pew as well. So, we are going to look at Elijah this morning, and the first thing we’re going to see is that:

I. HE WAS A COMMON MAN.

II. ELIJAH WAS A COURAGEOUS MAN.

III. ELIJAH WAS A COMMITTED MAN.

IV. ELIJAH WAS A CONFIDENT MAN.

Remember, Solomon is looking at life “under the sun” – life apart from the Lord, from God the Father, and oblivious to the Holy Spirit. Look at the attitude it produced. In 4:2 – “I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.” In 4:3 – “Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.” In 6:3 – “. . . I say, that an untimely birth (to be still born) is better than he” (one who has no enjoyment of life). Nobody can make you happy. Young people (and some older) get married expecting marriage, or their spouse to make them “happy.” It is not your spouse’s job to make you happy. People think, “If I just had ‘X’ amount of money, I would be happy.” (But either they find themselves wanting more, or right back where they started when the money is gone.) Some people join a church expecting to find “happiness” there. It is not the job of “the church” to make people happy. It is the job of the church to teach people how to be holy, separated from the world and to God. Because they are not “happy,” some move their membership, or quit altogether. We have probably all heard comparisons between optimists and pessimists, i.e. the half empty, half full glass. Or, when the gas gauge is on “E” there’s still enough fuel to get to the gas station, etc. (By the way, that’s not called being an optimist; it’s called being a pedestrian.) And the party line is that everyone should be an optimist. The problem is that many are almost genetically determined to be pessimists. Just look at our world. Sometimes, life itself turns people to pessimists just like it did Solomon for a time. I like and like being around happy people. We grew up in a happy home where there was humor and laughter. (Personal opinion: I think every child needs to grow up in that kind of home. Sadly, some don’t.) I don’t enjoy being around people who are negative, always finding fault, nothing is ever “good enough.” (Unfortunately, as a pastor sometimes you have to face folks like that.) Now I know that there are events that take place in life from time to time which rob us of our happiness – illness, tragedy, death of a loved one, financial/job issues. But even when we are at a low ebb in our happiness, we can still have the joy of the Lord. Nehemiah 8:10 says, “ . . . neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Philipians 3:1 tells us, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.” (Philippians is a letter of joy.) Also, Philippians 4:8 instructs to think on "positive" things. So we are going to approach this message from the viewpoint that true joy comes from God, and as His children, we can enjoy life and the things He gives us. Solomon had shown, in the close of chapter 5 how good it is to make a comfortable use of the gifts of God's providence. The ability to enjoy comes from within us and from God and His joy and grace in our lives. So let’s look at chapter 6 and see what Solomon can teach us. We see:

I. WITHOUT THE JOY AND GRACE OF GOD, EVEN GOOD THINGS FAIL TO SATISFY – VV. 1-6.

II. THE GRACE AND JOY OF THE LORD WILL HELP US FACE THE LIMITATIONS OF LIFE – VV. 7-9.

III. THE GRACE AND JOY OF THE LORD WILL TEACH US TO DEPEND UPON HIM FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF LIFE – VV. 10-12.

Solomon ends vs. 7 by saying, “But fear thou God.” From that he goes right into speaking of oppression and the perverting of judgment and justice. Then he will move on to talking about wealth. What is the connection of these verses? Is there a connection? Solomon is dealing with two things people put a great deal of trust in today -- government and gold (wealth). It is a matter of perspective and priority. When we look at things from the proper perspective and with the proper priority, I believe they will make sense. Matthew Henry said, “Set God before you. Then, if you see the oppression of the poor, you will not marvel (be filled with anxiety or dismay) at the matter.” Remember in vs. 2 He said God is in Heaven, and we are on the earth. It is just like not being able to “see the forest for the trees,” we often have trouble seeing the whole of life because of the influence of the flesh. In Romans 7:18 Paul said, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing . . . ” In Galatians 5:17 he said, “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” The flesh keeps us from seeing things as God does. [The things I am about to say about wealth do not apply to ALL wealthy people. There are some who God has blessed with great wealth who are godly individuals, but the Bible does have some things to say about (what I call) the danger of wealth.] In Matthew 19:23-25 Jesus said, “. . . Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. (24) And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Notice the response of His disciples: “(25) When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?” This presents the danger (and this is what Jesus was talking about) that one who has great wealth will trust his wealth instead of trusting God. (Wealth might mean position and power.) Also, there is the danger that some, as many of the Jews did, will equate wealth with godliness. “If one is wealthy, he must be blessed of God. If he is not, it is because of sin in his life.” Just because someone has great wealth does not mean that God has given it to them. (Remember, Satan is called in Scripture “the god of this world.”) d. I will probably repeat myself several times, but please know that I am not against wealth -- rightly attained and rightly used. If God has blessed you with money, thank Him for it, and use it to His glory. James 2:1-7 is a warning against having “the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons,” based on appearance and presumed wealth. In vv. 2-3 the one with “a gold ring, in goodly apparel” is given the best seat. The one “in vile raiment” is told to wait outside or sit in a lower seat. James says that sort of distinction reveals us as “partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts,” (or judges with evil thoughts). Then notice vv. 5-7. He says, “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (6) But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? (7) Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?” Solomon is speaking in these first two verses of those in positions of power (many times because of their wealth) versus the poor. In vs. 8 He says, “If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province . . . ” Oppression speaks of injury, fraud, distress; unjust treatment (because they are poor and cannot defend themselves. The "violent perverting of judgment" is literally, robbery; so that judgment is never rightly given. "Perverting of justice" is justice withheld from applicants by unscrupulous rulers under the color of law and authority and backed with power. In this type of situation he tells us to “marvel not,” do not be surprised or dismayed, as though this were unheard of. (Remember what James 2:6 says.) This adds to the thought that this was not an uncommon situation in that day, especially for those in positions/places of power (“in a province”). He does not say we should not care or be concerned, (If it can happen to someone who has less than you, it can happen to you), just don’t be amazed that it does. He says instead of being amazed, we are to realize some things. First, “For he that is higher than the highest regardeth.” The only comfort is that the oppressor himself is subject to higher supervision. The prince might be over the ruler of the province. The king would be higher than the prince. These could certainly dispense judgment upon an unjust provincial ruler. However, though the oppressors might be high up in government, God is above them. Though they might feel secure, God has His eye on them. Over the highest of earthly rulers there are other powers, angels, principalities, all the way up to God Himself, who governs the course of this world, and to whom we may leave the final judgment. Vs. 9 reveals the vanity of power, position, and “plenty” (wealth) -- “. . . the profit of the earth is for all; the king himself is served by the field.” Even the king is dependent upon the field (where the food is grown). Who works the field? The husbandman and the servants. These would be considered to be "lower" than the king. This puts great honor upon the husbandman’s labor. His labor is most necessary to the support the lives of all. How could we eat if there was no one to grow our food? Many have the benefit of this labor. The mighty cannot live without it. The monarch himself is dependent upon it. Society tends to judge people based on their income and their work. Some consider certain jobs as “beneath their dignity” and not honorable work. However, some of the most “dishonorable,” laborious jobs are the most necessary. If you are working a job that fulfills a need and provides an income do not look upon that job with disdain. Just because one may have wealth, and power, and position does not make them “better” than one who does not, and it certainly does not give them the right to pervert judgment and justice. Next, in vv. 10-20 we see:

I. THE DILEMMA OF DIMINISHING WEALTH -- VV. 10-17.

II. THE DELIGHT OF DIVINE WEALTH VV. 18-20.

Today we live in what one writer called “one of the most sacrilegious and blasphemous church cultures in the history of Christianity.” We hear sermon titles like “What Would Jesus Say To Bart Simpson?” Or a 7 week sermon series titled “Everything I Needed To Know I Learned From Andy Griffith.” We live in a day of specialists, and it has made its way into the church world so that we have “specialized churches” for various special interest groups. We have cowboy churches, motorcyclist churches, etc. I’m waiting for the day they come up with the the Procrastinator’s Church for those who are going to church “someday,” or even a “non-attenders church” for those who don’t want to go to church anyway. (That may be the online church.) Today churches are struggling with what constitutes worship that is acceptable to God. Young people things to be more “contemporary.” “We’re tired of singing those old hymns,” some say. You will learn more about the Word of God, about His love, and about Christ’s sacrifice singing “those old hymns” than you will ever learn singing (or chanting) some “Kum-by-ya” type chorus over and over and over. Older folks, for the most part, desire a more traditional” worship. ome (none here that I know of) would even oppose the use of modern technology – video projectors, live streaming, etc. -- in the worship and the presentation of the Gospel. God has allowed us to have this technology. The world will use it to get its message out, so the Lord’s churches should take advantage of it in our worship and witness. You know what I want? I just want scriptural, biblical worship that is pleasing to God. So, the question arises, “Can we just decide to worship God any old way we want?” There is a growing trend, especially in America, to say just any form of “worship” is acceptable to God. They say what is important is just to “worship” (which, they say, is better than not worshipping). Are we intolerant, then, to say that not everything that men call worship is acceptable to God? Let’s just look at a couple of Scripture references -- Isaiah 1:10-18 ; John 4:24. Since it is God who is to be worshipped, He gets to decide what is acceptable and what is not. Opinion: I believe a great deal of the confusion over what is and what isn’t acceptable worship comes from a simple ignorance of God’s Word and a failure to understand the holiness of God. And, there is a huge difference between just attending church and coming to worship. Mankind was created to worship, and he will worship . . . something . . . daily. “How do I know what I worship?” (I think we know. We may just not want to admit it.) Worship is our response to whatever we value the most. Whatever is worth the most to us is what we worship (family, friends, money, fame, etc.). Just follow the trail of your time, your affection, your energy, your (yes) money, and your allegiance. At the end of that trail you will find a throne, and on that throne will be what or who you worship! The worship of God has, in our society, become a matter of God’s serving us on our terms instead of us serving Him on His terms. Question: If you received nothing for it (no blessings, no promises, not even daily needs) would you still serve God? I have heard people say to those who were serving God, “I can’t see that it has helped you out any.” (These were looking for some promise of material benefit for their faithfulness.) Matthew Henry wrote: “When we are in the house of God, in solemn assemblies for religious worship, we are in a special manner before God and in his presence, there where he has promised to meet his people, where his eye is upon us and ours ought to be unto him.” Solomon's design, in showing us the world’s vanity, is to drive us to away from it and to God and to our duty” as His children. Our disappointments with this present world (and if you are not disappointed with it, I will pray for you) should cause us to turn our eyes upon our Creator. They should turn us to the word of God and to His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). “In the word and prayer there is a balm for every wound.” If there is anything that is to be held as special and God-centered today, it ought to be our worship. Let’s see what the Preacher says. We see:

I. OUR APPROACH TO WORSHIP – VV. 1-2.

II. OUR ATTITUDE IN WORSHIP – VV. 4-6.

III. OUR ATTENTION IN WORSHIP – VS. 7.

Review: Solomon, the king, the wise man, the man whom God has blessed greatly is looking at life “under the sun” – from a purely human viewpoint, without considering God, or Heaven, etc. He has come to the conclusion that “all is vanity” for life lived “under the sun.” believe the Holy Spirit led him to write this book so that all who read it can see that there is more to life than just life “under the sun.” In the first 3 verses of this chapter Solomon returns to thoughts of oppression “under the sun.” He had already mentioned in in 3:16 – “. . . I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there . . . ” Oppression involves cheating one’s neighbor, defrauding and/or robbing, and making unjust gain off of him/her. It is the abuse of power. It is often associated with violence and bloodshed. God’s Word is not vague about oppression! Amos the prophet preached against people who oppressed the poor and the needy. Ezekiel warned against extortion and stealing. Zechariah listed the people most likely to be oppressed – widows, orphans, the poor. Now, Solomon takes a look at oppression from a purely “under the sun” point of view. He saw the tears of the oppressed. He saw that the oppressed “had no comforter” (one to pity or console; avenger). He said it twice. This presents the difference between the lost (those “under the sun”) and the saved. Both can be oppressed. Those without Christ have no Comforter. Romans 12:17-20 tells the saved: a) Repay to no one “evil for evil.;" b) Be honest; c) As much as possible live peaceably with all; d) Give place to wrath; e) Avenge not yourselves. Why? Because we are to allow God to take care of the “repayment” for us. But, viewing things from “under the sun,” what does Solomon say about those who are oppressed? He first praised those already dead (because they have escaped oppression). He says it would be better to have never been born. Those are the “lucky” ones. Then, in the remaining verses of this chapter, he made several comparisons based on what he saw happening around him “under the sun” and offered instruction for “better” living in this transient world. He points out:

I. IT IS BETTER TO HAVE THE BLESSING OF CONTENTMENT – VV.4-6.

II. IT IS BETTER TO HAVE THE BENEFIT OF COMPANIONSHIP--VV. 7-12.

III. IT IS BETTER TO HAVE A TEACHABLE SPIRIT – VV. 13-16.

This morning we’re going to talk about the new year and how to face it without fear . . . because fear brings panic. (Remember those famous words, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”) Fear causes us to think and to act in an irrational manner, to make irrational decisions. Fear paralyzes; it imprisons. It enslaves us. Fear is one of the most powerful weapons in the arsenal of our enemy. But listen to what God said through the Apostle Paul in II Timothy 1:7: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” I heard the story of some men who were on a leaky old ship in the middle of a rough and stormy sea. They didn’t know if they were going to sink or not. One sailor asked, "Captain, are we safe?" The captain replied, “I’ll put it this way. The boilers on this ship are old and may explode at any moment. The ship is old and taking on water. To be honest, we may sink at any moment. We may go up, or we may go down, but at any rate, we are going on.” That’s how we face the coming year. Jesus may come, and we may go up. We may die and go down (into the grave) and then up. But, at any rate, we are going on. We are facing a brand new year, and none of us knows what it will bring. Did anything happen in 2021 that you didn’t expect, that you had not planned for? Do you have the coming year “all planned out?” I have news for you. Things may not go as planned. James 4:13-15 gives a warning to all those who “plan out” their lives and think things will go as planned. "Go to now” is a phrase that says, “come on, now;” “look here;” “listen up.” (He’s getting our attention.) These had life all planned out – “Today or tomorrow we’ll go into a certain city. We will stay a year, and through our merchandising, we are going to make a fine profit.” But look at what James says (vs. 14), “You don’t know about tomorrow, and what it will bring.” We often sing, "I Don’t Know About Tomorrow.” The chorus says, "Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand; but I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand.” So James says, “You ought to say, if the Lord wills, I’ll go here and there and do this or that.” And, he reminded them that life is momentary. It is a vapor that is here today and gone tomorrow. Mankind has an inbred fear of the future, a fear of the unknown. The old map makers, before there were satellites and GPS, etc. would draw maps only as far out as they had been, as they had explored. When they reached the limit of their exploration, they would not know what lay beyond. You can see on old maps they would write, “Beyond this there may be dragons.” They feared the uncharted. They were afraid of what lay beyond the limits of their knowledge. And, if you will look at some of the old maps you will see the sea monster in the ocean. Man, by nature, has a dread, a fear of the future. It’s something we all face, whether young or old, rich or poor, educated or uneducated. We wonder, “What is going to happen tomorrow?” That’s why people spend millions of dollars each year on fortune tellers, on psychics and prognosticators. That’s why many read their horoscopes each day and trust fortune cookies and tea leaves, etc. Fear has no racial bias; it is endemic to all people, and yet God wants us to have a future without fear. In order to have a future without fear, there are at least 4 things you need: 1) Contentment; 2) Companionship; 3) Confidence; 4) Comfort. We will see these things today as we examine the text we have just read. First of all we need:

  I.  THE CONTENTMENT OF HIS PROVISIONS – VS. 5.

 II.  THE COMPANIONSHIP OF HIS PRESENCE – VS. 5.

III. THE CONFIDENCE OF HIS PROMISE – VS. 5.

 IV.  THE COMFORT OF HIS PROTECTION – VS. 6.

There are many miracles in the Bible, things that only God can do. Start with the creation and go through Revelation. See the miracles. God is not limited. Note Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and God’s provision for them in the Judean wilderness for 40 years. Go to the New Testament and see the dead raised, the blind made to see, the deaf made to hear, and the lame made to walk. But the greatest of God's miracles is found in vs. 14, when He robed Himself in human flesh and became a man, came in the flesh to pay man’s sin debt. God is always on time -- never too early or too late. He told Noah to build an ark because He was going to destroy the world. God moved in His own time and the flood came. Abraham and Sarah were promised a child in their old age. God blessed them in His time, and Isaac was born. Israel was told to serve God and He would bless them, but if they sinned, He would punish them. Israel sinned, and God sent judgment. (God always acts in His time and on time.) Galatians 4 tells us that “in the fulness of the time God sent forth his Son.” “Fulness” is from a word that means “completion.” In other words, when the time was “just right” -- Roman rule, Caesar Augustus, etc. We are given a perfect revelation of the Living God in the “Christmas story,” and few writers have done more to reveal the essence of Christmas than John has in these verses. The verses of our text are, indeed, a Christmas text. John details the heart of Christmas in the opening verses of his Gospel. He presents Jesus in a very forthright manner. He is Emanuel, “God with us,” God in human flesh. Jesus is both perfect man and fully God, and there never has been, nor ever will be, another God-man. In these verses (and especially in vs. 14) John shares 3 simple truths that Christmas declares to all people, and especially to us as believer. We see that:

  I.  GOD BECAME ONE OF US.

 II.  GOD CAME NEAR TO US.

III. GOD REVEALED HIS GLORY TO US.

Solomon is still showing us that everything in this world, without God and the fear of God, is vanity, grasping at the wind. Take away God, and there is nothing valuable, nothing for which a wise man would think that it was worthwhile to live in this world. Solomon shows in these verses that power (which men desire) and life itself (of which men are fond, even jealous) are nothing without the fear of God. Many people today try to “make sense” out of life and form opinions of God based only on what the human eye can observe. In 1981 Rabbi Harold Kushner wrote When Bad Things Happen To Good People after the death of his 3 year old son. He formed his ideas about God based on what he observed in the world. He concluded that God never wills bad things upon good people, that He intends good, but He just doesn’t have the power to insure that His will is carried out. So, ultimately bad things happen to good people for reasons that are outside His control. (What did we see and hear from God’s Word last week? God is in control!) Here Solomon records his observations about life “under the sun” then considers what that might reveal to him about God and man. We all want life to be fair. From children we might often hear the words, “That’s not fair” (if someone is cheating at a game or when speaking to parents). (I told mine, “Life’s not fair. Learn to live with it.”) As adults we want things to be done fairly. (It upsets me to see people cut in line or not wait their turn.) We have a strange relationship with justice. We love it when someone wrongs us. But when we are wrong, we want mercy and to be forgiven. Example: We want to see lawbreakers punished, but when we are caught speeding we hope for mercy. Jesus said something about that in Matthew 7:1-2. The word "judge" means "to condemn; make decisions about another. " The degree to which we condemn others, or seek punishment against others, will be the degree of judgment that is used against us. Then He gives the example of the mote and the beam. Solomon has searched for the purpose and meaning of life “under the sun.” He has explored wisdom, mirth, and work and determined that all of these are “vanity.” Now the issue of injustice appears before him, and he wonders how to deal with it. We are going to look at things a little differently today, so we see:

I. FIRST, HE LOOKS AT THE PROBLEM OF INJUSTICE – 3:16.

II. A Time For True Justice And Uncontaminated Judgment -- VV. 17-21.

III. The Comparison Of Two Judgments -- VV. 18-21.

As we look at this book of Ecclesiastes we must remember: First of all, that the chapter and verse divisions were not in the original writing. This is continuous instruction from “the Preacher.” Solomon is not starting a new subject with a new chapter. Also, at the end of chapter two he has just declared that the best that one who lives “under the sun” can do is “eat, and drink, and . . . make his soul enjoy good in his labor.” And for those who live “above the sun,” God has “wisdom, and knowledge, and joy.” In vv. 2-8 Solomon presents us with 14 pairs of opposites that will take place in our lives. These are seemingly random “seasons” that will occur. "Season" refers to an appointed occasion, or a portion of time. "Time" speaks of the beginning of a period. (It speaks of a duration of time.) So, Solomon is saying that we are all going to have to endure times that are good, and pleasant, and profitable. And we're going to endure times that are unpleasant, and sad, and difficult to endure. (Remember his question, "For what hath man of all his labour . . . under the sun?") We are not going to spend a lot of time on these 14 pairs of opposites because to do so might cause us to come to some completely incorrect conclusion about the nature of this passage. We may view these as random events, but in reality they are not random at all. In His complete sovereignty, God allows (or appoints) all of these in all of our lives. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 5:45, “. . . your Father which is in heaven . . . maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Also, it is no accident that there are 14 pairs of opposites here. In the Bible seven is the number of completion. God created the world in six days, and on the seventh He rested. All was complete. So, as a multiple of seven is used here, we have an overall picture of our lives. As one writer put it, they picture the “human experience.” But they also reveal to us that ultimately God is in control of life. Let’s quickly look over this list of “seasons,” or periods, in our lives, and I want to begin by spending a few minutes on the very first one – “A time to be born, and a time to die.” This one phrase, “A time to be born, and a time to die,” sets for the “boundaries” of life. Birth and death are not accidents. They are divine appointments! Hebrews 9:27 says It is appointed unto man once to die. Psalm 139:16 -- “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." Psalm 90:10 tells us that our days are numbered. As soon as we are born, we begin to die. And all that he names through vs. 8 will take place between these two “brackets” – birth and death. Without going over every one of these 14 opposites, I’ll just share a couple of examples. There is “a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted . . . ” Solomon’s readers might have understood that in an agricultural sense. But in our lives, there are times that some things need to be added, and there are times when we just need to get rid of some things ("Also put off all these" – Colossians 3). There is “a time to kill, and a time to heal.” The word for “kill” is not the word for murder and probably refers to sickness and disease. There will be times when God heals us and that final time when the doctors say, “We’ve done all we can do.” There is “. . . a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing . . . ” There are times we just need a hug from a loved one or from a good friend. There are times when that friend needs to put us at arm’s length and confront us with the hard truth – i.e. “I can’t agree with you. You are wrong in what you are doing.” There is “a time of war, and a time of peace.” There will be times when we have to battle – to fight tyranny, etc. and times to simply stand up and stand strong for our principles, God’s truth, or a good friend. And, there will be times that we can experience the blessedness of a peaceful heart and life. I repeat: God, in His sovereignty, has allowed all of these "times" in all of our lives. That goes for the bad, the difficult, and the painful as well as the pleasant, the comfortable, and the delightful. It all comes from God (whether by His allowing it or His providing it) even when none of it makes sense to us. And Solomon tells us why in vs. 14: “I know that, whatsoever God doeth . . . God doeth it, that men should fear before him.” “Fear” here is used as in other verses that tell us how to respond before God. It is not a cowering fear. "Fear" means reverential awe; reverence. So, I want to share a couple of thoughts with you based on the remaining verses and then share how we should respond to the “seasons” of our lives.

I. LIFE CAN BE GLIMPSED BUT NOT GRASPED – VV. 10-11.

II. LIFE CAN BE MANAGED BUT NOT MANIPULATED – VV. 12-13.

III. SO, HOW DO I RESPOND TO THE “SEASONS” OF LIFE?

Do you ever feel frustrated by life? Maybe you have a day now and then when things just don’t seem to go right? Maybe you have had to deal with other people that exasperate and frustrate you? Well, you are in good company. Some of God’s greatest servants have found themselves frustrated by life – even to a greater degree than you are. Job, in Job 3:21 , was So frustrated he talked about longing for death. Elijah, in I Kings 19:4, Asked God to take his life. Moses was so frustrated trying to lead God’s people he asked Him to take his life in Numbers 11:15. Jonah (4:3) was so upset that the Ninevites repented that he asked God to kill him. Many people in our world today may appear outwardly to be stable and successful, but inwardly they are terribly frustrated (to the point of being a “basket case”). (I think most of these are Baptist preachers.) The word "frustrated" is from the Latin “frusta,” which means "in vain." One who is frustrated feels that all he does is void of purpose. In our text today we see that Solomon became to so frustrated that he said, “I hate life.” And, at the end of the message he will give us the cure for our frustration. We see:

I. SOLOMON’S CONFESSION – VV. 12-16.

II. SOLOMON’S COMPLAINT – VV. 17-23.

III. SOLOMON’S CONCLUSION – VV. 22-26.