Tag Archives: hope

Making Friends and Influencing People

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Don Merritt

Ecclesiastes 10:16-11:2 In this section, the Teacher continues with his elaboration of life’s uncertainties under the sun. Here, it would appear that he is talking about those who rule the nation; not all rulers are wise! The first verse in … Continue reading →

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Nobody Knows

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Don Merritt

Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:15 In this section, the Teacher develops the idea that none of us knows our futures under the sun. He does this in four subsections, beginning with 9:13-10:1. Here, the Teacher tells a fictional story reminiscent of 2 Samuel … Continue reading →

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One Fate Awaits Everyone

Posted on September 4, 2017 by Don Merritt

Ecclesiastes 9:1-12 Our most excellent adventure now comes to the Teacher’s second conclusion: There is only one thing in this life that is certain. That certainty is simply this: It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do in … Continue reading →

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A Sad Conclusion and a Ray of Hope

Posted on September 4, 2017 by Don Merritt

Ecclesiastes 8:9-17 These verses seem to go on in a familiar refrain; everything is meaningless. Things happen under the sun that shouldn’t, people conjure up their schemes, and people die; what’s the point? The Teacher has been saying these things … Continue reading →

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As a new day begins…

Posted on September 3, 2017 by Don Merritt

…each of us will face its challenges. There will be circumstances that develop, circumstances over which we may not have any control, circumstances that we simply cannot fix or that are bigger and stronger than we are. Some will surmount … Continue reading →

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Random Ramblings: September 2, 2017

Posted on September 2, 2017 by Don Merritt

This has been some week! There have been so many incredible images from the hurricane down in Texas, and so much discussion about the conditions there, the unusual weather pattern, the records that were set, and the response to it … Continue reading →

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Submission to the King

Posted on September 2, 2017 by Don Merritt

Ecclesiastes 8:1-8 Our adventure moves into chapter 8 and brings us to what no doubt will be a favorite subject for all of us: submission and obedience. As you can see, verse 1 is transitional; the meat begins to be … Continue reading →

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The Value of Wisdom

Posted on September 1, 2017 by Don Merritt

All this I tested by wisdom and I said, “I am determined to be wise”— but this was beyond me. Whatever exists is far off and most profound— who can discover it? Ecclesiastes 7:23-24 The value of wisdom is that … Continue reading →

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Wisdom and Restraint

Posted on September 1, 2017 by Don Merritt

In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness, and the wicked living long in their wickedness. Do not be over righteous, neither be over wise— why destroy yourself? Do not be … Continue reading →

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Some Thoughts about Patience

Posted on August 31, 2017 by Don Merritt

Ecclesiastes 7:8-14 Our most excellent adventure now moves into the second of the sections in chapter seven: Patience. Yes dear reader, I am going over this one carefully myself, since patience is really not my strongest suit! The topic is … Continue reading →

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