Category Archives: Wise

Humility, Purposeful / Intentional, Teachable, Wise

Wise Leaders Welcome Godly Counsel (Exodus 18:13-27)

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Are we humble enough to receive wise counsel, even when it means changing the way we have always done things?

Key Verse:
“Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you.” —Exodus 18:19a NASB

Background Context:
After rejoicing over God’s faithfulness to Israel, Jethro observed Moses carrying the enormous responsibility of judging every dispute among the people. From morning until evening, Moses alone listened to every case. Seeing the burden this placed on Moses and the people alike, Jethro lovingly offered wise counsel. Rather than becoming defensive, Moses listened, sought God’s will, and implemented a better system of leadership.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 18:13-27

      13It came about the next day that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood about Moses from the morning until the evening. 14Now when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge and all the people stand about you from morning until evening?” 15Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16“When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

Jethro Counsels Moses

      17Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. 18“You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. 19“Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people’s representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God, 20then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do. 21“Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. 22“Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23“If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.”

      24So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. 26They judged the people at all times; the difficult dispute they would bring to Moses, but every minor dispute they themselves would judge. 27Then Moses bade his father-in-law farewell, and he went his way into his own land.

Reflection:

One of the most remarkable qualities of Moses in this passage is not his leadership—it is his humility.

Moses was God’s chosen leader. He had witnessed the burning bush, confronted Pharaoh, led Israel through the Red Sea, and spoken directly with the Lord. Yet when Jethro observed his leadership and said, “The thing that you are doing is not good” (Exodus 18:17), Moses did not become offended or defensive.

Instead, he listened.

That takes humility.

Sometimes the hardest advice to receive is not criticism from an enemy, but loving correction from someone who genuinely cares about us. Pride resists correction because it assumes we already know the best way. Humility recognizes that God often uses other people to help us grow.

The book of Proverbs repeatedly teaches this principle.

“Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Proverbs 11:14)

And again:

“Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22)

Wise counsel is one of God’s gifts. It protects us from unnecessary burdens, blind spots, and poor decisions.

Jethro also recognized something Moses did not fully appreciate: no one person is meant to carry every burden alone.

He warned Moses:

“You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.” (Exodus 18:18)

God never intended healthy leadership to depend upon one exhausted individual doing everything. Instead, Jethro advised Moses to appoint capable, trustworthy men to share the responsibility, while Moses focused on teaching God’s statutes and seeking the Lord on behalf of the people.

This was not abandoning responsibility.

It was stewarding responsibility wisely.

Many of us struggle with this lesson. Sometimes we hesitate to delegate because we think no one else can do the job as well. Other times we simply find it easier to continue carrying every responsibility ourselves. Yet refusing to share responsibilities often leads to exhaustion, frustration, and even discouragement.

The New Testament echoes this same principle. Paul describes the church as one body with many members, each gifted differently for the work God has given them (1 Corinthians 12:12–27). No single believer possesses every gift or carries every responsibility. God designed His people to work together.

Likewise, Galatians 6:2 encourages us:

“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

Healthy leadership is not about doing everything ourselves.

It is about equipping others to serve alongside us.

Notice also that Jethro’s counsel was deeply rooted in God’s priorities. Moses was not simply told to reduce his workload. He was instructed to devote himself to the tasks only he could fulfill—teaching God’s Word, representing the people before God, and helping them understand how to walk according to His instruction.

The same principle applies today. God has entrusted each of us with unique responsibilities. While we should faithfully fulfill those responsibilities, we should also recognize that He often accomplishes His work through the gifts and service of others.

Finally, Moses provides a wonderful example for every leader.

He listened.

He learned.

He changed.

Exodus simply tells us:

“So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said.” (Exodus 18:24)

What a beautiful testimony.

May we have hearts that are just as teachable.

Application:

  • Welcome wise, biblical counsel instead of becoming defensive.
  • Recognize that humility is a strength, not a weakness.
  • Ask God to reveal responsibilities that should be shared with others.
  • Encourage and equip others to use the gifts God has given them.
  • Remember that healthy leadership seeks God’s wisdom and works together with His people.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for placing wise people in my life who encourage, challenge, and strengthen me. Give me a humble heart that welcomes godly counsel and is willing to change when needed. Help me not to carry burdens You intended to be shared, and teach me to trust others as we work together for Your kingdom. May my leadership always reflect humility, wisdom, and dependence upon You. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hope, Humility, Purposeful / Intentional, Unteachable / Foolish, Wise

Seeing God’s Hand in Every Season (Ecclesiastes 7:7–14)

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How often do we find ourselves wishing we could go back to the “good old days” instead of trusting God with the season we are in today?

Key Verse:
“In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider—God has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything that will be after him.” —Ecclesiastes 7:14 NASB

Background Context:
In Ecclesiastes 7:1–6, Solomon taught that wisdom is often gained through difficulty and sorrow rather than comfort and ease. Now he continues developing that theme by addressing patience, pride, adversity, prosperity, and our tendency to long for the past.

Rather than teaching us how to avoid difficult seasons, Solomon teaches us how to respond to them with wisdom and trust in God.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Ecclesiastes 7:7–14

   7For oppression makes a wise man mad,
And a bribe corrupts the heart.

      8The end of a matter is better than its beginning;
Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.

      9Do not be eager in your heart to be angry,
For anger resides in the bosom of fools.

      10Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?”
For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.

      11Wisdom along with an inheritance is good
And an advantage to those who see the sun.

      12For wisdom is protection just as money is protection,
But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.

      13Consider the work of God,
For who is able to straighten what He has bent?

      14In the day of prosperity be happy,
But in the day of adversity consider—
God has made the one as well as the other
So that man will not discover anything that will be after him.

Reflection on Ecclesiastes 7:7–14:

Solomon begins this section by warning about attitudes that can lead us away from wisdom. He cautions against corruption, impatience, and pride. These are often revealed most clearly when life does not go according to our plans.

One of the most practical verses in this passage is Ecclesiastes 7:10:

“Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.”

Most of us have probably fallen into this trap at some point. We look back on an earlier season of life and remember the good parts while forgetting many of the challenges that existed at the time. We convince ourselves that things used to be better and that our best days are behind us.

Solomon calls this perspective unwise.

The problem is not that the past contained blessings. The problem is that constantly longing for the past can prevent us from seeing what God is doing in the present. When our focus is fixed on yesterday, we often miss the opportunities and blessings God has placed before us today.

This does not mean every season of life is equally enjoyable. Some seasons are marked by prosperity, while others bring hardship, loss, or uncertainty. Yet Solomon reminds us that God remains sovereign through them all.

Verse 14 tells us, “In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider—God has made the one as well as the other.”

That can be a difficult truth to accept. We naturally welcome prosperity and resist adversity. Yet Scripture repeatedly teaches that God can use both for His purposes.

James 1:2–4 encourages believers to consider it joy when facing trials because those trials produce endurance and spiritual maturity. Likewise, Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Prosperity often teaches us gratitude.

Adversity often teaches us dependence.

Both can draw us closer to God if we respond with faith.

Solomon is not suggesting that we enjoy suffering or seek hardship. Rather, he is encouraging us to recognize that God remains at work regardless of our circumstances. We may not always understand His purposes, but we can trust His character.

This perspective leads to contentment. The Apostle Paul expressed a similar lesson when he wrote that he had learned to be content in whatever circumstances he faced (Philippians 4:11–13). Whether experiencing abundance or need, Paul trusted the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 7 reminds us that wisdom does not come from controlling every circumstance. Wisdom comes from trusting God in every circumstance.

When life is going well, we should thank God and rejoice in His blessings.

When life is difficult, we should seek God, learn from what He is teaching us, and trust that He remains in control.

The same God who walks with us through seasons of prosperity is also present during seasons of adversity.

Rather than longing for the past or fearing the future, wisdom calls us to trust Him today.

Application:

  • Thank God for the blessings of your current season.
  • Resist the temptation to dwell on an idealized version of the past.
  • Trust that God can use both prosperity and adversity for His purposes.
  • Seek wisdom and spiritual growth during difficult seasons.
  • Focus on God’s faithfulness today rather than worrying about tomorrow.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for being faithful in every season of life. Help me to trust You not only during times of prosperity but also during times of adversity. Guard me from constantly longing for the past or worrying about the future. Give me wisdom to see Your hand at work in my current circumstances and faith to trust Your purposes even when I do not fully understand them. Thank You for Your constant presence and care. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Unteachable / Foolish, Wise

Sorrow Can Make Us Wiser (Ecclesiastes 7:1-6)

Why do some of life’s most valuable lessons often come through seasons we would never choose for ourselves?

Key Verse:
“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every person, and the living takes it to heart.” —Ecclesiastes 7:2 NASB

Background Context:
In Ecclesiastes 6, Solomon reflected on the emptiness of pursuing satisfaction apart from God. Wealth, success, honor, and long life cannot fill the deepest needs of the human heart.

Now in Ecclesiastes 7:1–6, Solomon presents a series of statements that seem surprising at first. He compares sorrow to laughter, mourning to feasting, and even speaks of the value of reflecting on death. Yet beneath these difficult sayings lies an important lesson about wisdom, character, and spiritual growth.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Ecclesiastes 7:1-6

Wisdom and Folly Contrasted

      1A good name is better than a good ointment,
And the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.

      2It is better to go to a house of mourning
Than to go to a house of feasting,
Because that is the end of every man,
And the living takes it to heart.

      3Sorrow is better than laughter,
For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.

      4The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning,
While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure.

      5It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man
Than for one to listen to the song of fools.

      6For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot,
So is the laughter of the fool;
And this too is futility.

Reflection on Ecclesiastes 7:1–6:
At first glance, this passage can feel uncomfortable.

Solomon says:

  • a good name is better than costly perfume
  • the day of death is better than the day of birth
  • mourning is better than feasting
  • sorrow is better than laughter

These statements seem completely opposite to how most people naturally think.

But Solomon is not teaching that joy is bad or that sadness is inherently good.

Rather, he is teaching that difficult experiences often teach lessons that comfort and celebration cannot.

Consider the contrast between a funeral and a party.

A party is enjoyable.
A funeral is painful.

Yet Solomon says it is better to go to a house of mourning because it causes people to reflect on what truly matters.

Funerals remind us:

  • life is temporary
  • time is limited
  • relationships matter
  • eternity is real

They force us to ask questions that are easy to avoid during seasons of comfort.

In this sense, sorrow can become a teacher.

Many believers can look back and identify seasons of loss, disappointment, or hardship that ultimately drew them closer to God.

The experience itself was not pleasant.

But the spiritual growth that came from it was valuable.

This theme appears throughout Scripture.

Romans 5:3–4 teaches that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope.

James 1:2–4 reminds believers that trials help develop spiritual maturity.

God often uses difficult seasons to shape us in ways that comfort never could.

Solomon also warns about the danger of surrounding ourselves only with voices that tell us what we want to hear.

“The rebuke of a wise man is better than the song of fools.”

Most people prefer praise over correction.

Yet loving correction often provides more benefit than empty compliments.

A wise friend who speaks truth may help us grow more than a hundred people who simply tell us what we want to hear.

Solomon compares the laughter of fools to the crackling of thorns under a pot.

It makes noise.
It flares briefly.

But it produces little lasting value.

In contrast, wisdom may sometimes come through uncomfortable conversations, painful experiences, and difficult truths.

This passage challenges a common assumption.

We often assume that the best seasons of life are the easiest ones.

Yet many of the qualities God values most:

  • humility
  • perseverance
  • compassion
  • dependence on Him
  • wisdom

are often developed through adversity.

That does not mean we should seek suffering.

Nor does it mean we should celebrate pain for its own sake.

Rather, it means we can trust that God is able to use even difficult seasons for our good and His purposes.

Solomon reminds us that wisdom often grows in places where comfort would rather not go.

And when we allow God to teach us through those seasons, hardship can become a tool He uses to shape us into the people He desires us to be.

Application:

  • Allow difficult seasons to draw you closer to God rather than away from Him.
  • Reflect regularly on what truly matters in light of eternity.
  • Receive wise correction with humility rather than resisting it.
  • Remember that spiritual growth often comes through challenges and trials.
  • Trust that God can use hardship to develop wisdom and character in your life.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to trust You during difficult seasons and to learn the lessons You desire to teach me. Give me wisdom to see beyond temporary circumstances and to focus on what truly matters. Help me receive correction with humility and grow through every trial I face. Thank You for using both joyful and difficult seasons to shape me into the person You are calling me to be. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Psalms, Submitted / Servant, Wise

The Beginning of Wisdom (Psalm 53)

What happens when people choose to live as though God does not exist?

Key Verse:
“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” —Psalm 53:1 NASB

Background Context:
Psalms 53 closely parallels Psalm 14 and presents a sobering assessment of humanity apart from God. David reflects on the condition of people who reject God’s authority and choose their own path rather than His.

This psalm is not merely addressing intellectual disbelief. It is describing the practical consequences of living as though God has no rightful place in our lives.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 53

Folly and Wickedness of Men.

For the choir director; according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.

1The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,”
They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice;
There is no one who does good.

      2God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men
To see if there is anyone who understands,
Who seeks after God.

      3Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
There is no one who does good, not even one.

      4Have the workers of wickedness no knowledge,
Who eat up My people as though they ate bread
And have not called upon God?

      5There they were in great fear where no fear had been;
For God scattered the bones of him who encamped against you;
You put them to shame, because God had rejected them.

      6Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores His captive people,
Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Reflection on Psalm 53:
David begins with one of the most well-known statements in Scripture:

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”

This verse is often applied only to atheism, but David’s point reaches further than intellectual belief.

The fool is not merely someone who claims God does not exist.

The fool is someone who lives as though God does not matter.

A person may acknowledge God with their lips while rejecting His authority through their choices.

Throughout Scripture, wisdom begins with reverence for God. Conversely, folly begins when people place themselves at the center instead of their Creator.

David describes the result:

“They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; there is no one who does good.”

This does not mean every person is as evil as possible. Rather, it highlights the universal problem of sin.

When humanity turns away from God, corruption follows.

Why?

Because God is the source of truth, righteousness, and moral authority.

When people reject Him, they are left to define right and wrong according to their own desires.

This is exactly what we see throughout history.

When people abandon God’s standards, selfishness and sin inevitably grow.

The problem is not complicated.

God created the world.
God established what is good and what is evil.
God gave His instruction so that people could walk in His ways.

Yeshua summarized God’s instruction in Matthew 22:37–40 by teaching that the greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbor.

When people reject God, they eventually reject His definition of love as well.

The result is a world increasingly shaped by self-interest rather than obedience.

David then says that God looks down from heaven to see whether anyone understands or seeks after Him.

His conclusion is sobering:

“Every one of them has turned aside.”

This theme appears again in Romans 3:10–12, where Paul quotes this psalm to emphasize humanity’s need for salvation.

The message is clear:

None of us can claim righteousness on our own.

All have sinned.
All need God’s grace.

Yet Psalm 53 does not end in despair.

David looks forward to God’s salvation:

“Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!”

This points toward hope.

Humanity’s problem is real.

But God has provided an answer.

The salvation David longed for ultimately finds its fulfillment in Yeshua the Messiah.

Psalm 53 reminds us that every person must choose a path.

Scripture repeatedly presents this choice.

Deuteronomy 11:26–28 describes a choice between blessing and curse.

Matthew 7:13–14 describes a broad road leading to destruction and a narrow path leading to life.

The question is not simply whether we acknowledge God’s existence.

The question is whether we are willing to follow Him.

And that choice is not made only once.

Every day we decide whether we will walk in His ways or pursue our own.

The good news is that God continues to call people to Himself.

He offers forgiveness, restoration, and life through Messiah.

The fool rejects God and follows his own way.

The wise person trusts God and walks in His.

Application:

  • Examine whether your daily choices reflect submission to God’s authority.
  • Remember that wisdom begins with reverence for God.
  • Guard against defining right and wrong according to personal preference.
  • Choose God’s path even when the world’s path appears easier or more popular.
  • Thank God for the salvation He provides through Yeshua.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for revealing Your truth and showing us the path that leads to life. Help me not only to acknowledge You with my words, but to follow You with my life. Guard me from the folly of trusting my own wisdom above Yours. Give me a heart that seeks You daily and walks faithfully in Your ways. Thank You for the salvation You provide through Yeshua. In His name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Contentment, Purposeful / Intentional, Seeking God, Submitted / Servant, Wise

Nothing Satisfies Apart from God (Ecclesiastes 6)

What if you achieved everything you ever wanted and still felt empty inside?

Key Verse:
“There is an evil which I have seen under the sun and it is prevalent among men—a man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor so that his soul lacks nothing of all that he desires; yet God has not empowered him to eat from them…” —Ecclesiastes 6:1–2 NASB

Background Context:
In Ecclesiastes 5, Solomon warned about the love of money and concluded by encouraging contentment in God’s provision. He reminded us that the ability to enjoy life and receive daily blessings is itself a gift from God.

Now in Ecclesiastes 6, Solomon takes that lesson a step further. He examines the tragedy of a person who possesses wealth, honor, success, and even long life, yet never experiences true satisfaction.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Ecclesiastes 6

The Futility of Life

     1There is an evil which I have seen under the sun and it is prevalent among men— 2a man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor so that his soul lacks nothing of all that he desires; yet God has not empowered him to eat from them, for a foreigner enjoys them. This is vanity and a severe affliction. 3If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many they be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things and he does not even have a proper burial, then I say, “Better the miscarriage than he, 4for it comes in futility and goes into obscurity; and its name is covered in obscurity. 5“It never sees the sun and it never knows anything; it is better off than he. 6“Even if the other man lives a thousand years twice and does not enjoy good things—do not all go to one place?”

      7All a man’s labor is for his mouth and yet the appetite is not satisfied. 8For what advantage does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage does the poor man have, knowing how to walk before the living? 9What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires. This too is futility and a striving after wind.

      10Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is; for he cannot dispute with him who is stronger than he is. 11For there are many words which increase futility. What then is the advantage to a man? 12For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?

Reflection on Ecclesiastes 6:
One of the greatest lies people believe is that satisfaction is always just beyond the next achievement.

If only:

  • I had a little more money.
  • I received that promotion.
  • I owned that house.
  • I achieved that goal.
  • I gained that recognition.

Then I would finally be satisfied.

Solomon had the opportunity to test that theory more thoroughly than perhaps anyone else who ever lived.

He possessed:

  • wealth
  • power
  • influence
  • honor
  • opportunity

Yet his conclusion is sobering.

A person may possess everything the world values and still be unable to enjoy it.

This is the tragedy Solomon describes.

The problem is not the blessings themselves.

Wealth is not evil.
Long life is not evil.
Success is not evil.

The problem is that none of these things were ever designed to satisfy the deepest needs of the human heart.

Solomon describes a man who lacks nothing that he desires, yet still does not enjoy what he possesses.

In a sense, he has everything.

Yet he has nothing.

This reminds us that possessing blessings is not the same as enjoying blessings.

Earlier Solomon taught that the ability to enjoy God’s gifts is itself a gift from God. Here he shows the opposite reality: a person can spend a lifetime accumulating and never truly experience contentment.

The chapter then becomes even more striking.

Solomon suggests that a person could live many years, have many children, and enjoy every outward sign of success, yet still remain unsatisfied.

Why?

Because the human heart was created for something greater than earthly abundance.

God created us for relationship with Him.

This is why material success cannot fill a spiritual need.

The appetite always wants more.

The desire always wanders toward the next thing.

Ecclesiastes 6:9 says:

“What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires.”

In other words, constantly chasing what we do not have often prevents us from appreciating what God has already given.

This theme appears throughout Scripture.

Philippians 4:11–13 teaches contentment in every circumstance.

Psalm 16:11 declares that fullness of joy is found in God’s presence.

Yeshua asks in Matthew 16:26:

“What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”

The answer is obvious.

Nothing.

Because nothing in this world can replace what is found in God.

The chapter concludes by reminding us of human limitations.

We do not fully know the future.
We do not control tomorrow.
We cannot determine what will ultimately satisfy us apart from the One who created us.

This is where Solomon’s observations point us.

The answer is not:

  • more possessions
  • more accomplishments
  • more status

The answer is God.

Without Him, even abundance can feel empty.

With Him, even ordinary blessings can become a source of joy, gratitude, and contentment.

Ecclesiastes 6 reminds us that the deepest longing of the human heart is not for more things.

It is for the God who made us.

Application:

  • Examine whether you are looking to earthly success for satisfaction that only God can provide.
  • Practice gratitude for the blessings God has already placed in your life.
  • Guard against the constant pursuit of “more.”
  • Remember that blessings are gifts, but God Himself is the greatest gift.
  • Seek your fulfillment first in your relationship with God.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me not to look to possessions, accomplishments, or success for the satisfaction that only You can provide. Teach me to find my joy and contentment in You. Thank You for every blessing You have given, but even more for Your presence in my life. Help me to seek You above all else and to trust that true fulfillment is found in You alone. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Contentment, Greed, Money / Finances / Wealth, Peace / Rest, Unteachable / Foolish, Wise

Be Content with What God Provides (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20)

Are you so focused on what you do not have that you forget to enjoy what God has already given?

Key Verse:
“Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor…” —Ecclesiastes 5:18 NASB

Background Context:
In Ecclesiastes 5:8–17, Solomon reflects on the emptiness of loving money and the endless striving that often accompanies wealth and possessions. He observes that earthly gain alone cannot provide lasting peace or satisfaction.

Now in Ecclesiastes 5:18–20, Solomon shifts toward a more hopeful conclusion, emphasizing that true enjoyment and contentment come not from endless accumulation, but from receiving life and daily blessings as gifts from God.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Ecclesiastes 5:18–20

      18Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. 19Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. 20For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.

Reflection on Ecclesiastes 5:18–20:
After describing the frustration and anxiety tied to wealth, Solomon pauses and says:

“Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting…”

This marks an important shift.

Instead of continuing to focus on what is empty “under the sun,” Solomon points toward something good:
receiving life as a gift from God.

He mentions simple things:

  • eating
  • drinking
  • enjoying one’s labor

These are ordinary parts of life.

And that is exactly the point.

Contentment is often not found in extraordinary achievement or endless accumulation, but in gratefully receiving the daily blessings God already provides.

This is deeply important because the human heart naturally drifts toward dissatisfaction.

People often believe:

  • “I’ll be content when…”
  • “I’ll enjoy life once I achieve…”
  • “I’ll finally have peace when I possess more…”

But Solomon repeatedly shows that endless striving does not satisfy.

Instead, he says that the ability to enjoy life itself is a gift from God.

This is a major theme in Ecclesiastes.

Not everyone who possesses wealth actually enjoys it. Some spend their lives accumulating while remaining anxious, restless, or discontent.

But the person who receives life gratefully from God experiences something different.

This does not mean life becomes perfect or free from hardship.

Rather, it means that joy is no longer dependent entirely on circumstances.

Solomon says:
“For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.”

This is a beautiful picture.

A grateful heart is not consumed constantly with frustration, comparison, regret, or endless striving. Instead, it learns to enjoy the gifts God gives in the present season.

This connects closely with other Scriptures.

Philippians 4:11–13 speaks of learning contentment in every circumstance.

James 1:17 reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from God.

True contentment is not rooted in having everything we want.

It is rooted in trusting God and gratefully receiving what He provides.

This passage challenges us to slow down and ask:

Are we constantly chasing what is next?
Or are we learning to thank God for what He has already given?

Because a life consumed by striving will rarely experience peace.

But a life centered on gratitude can find joy even in ordinary moments.

Solomon reminds us that:

  • work can be meaningful
  • daily provision can be joyful
  • and life itself can be received as a gift

when it is viewed through the perspective of God’s goodness.

Application:

  • Practice gratitude for the daily blessings God has already given you.
  • Guard your heart against endless striving and comparison.
  • Learn to enjoy simple gifts and ordinary moments.
  • Remember that true contentment comes from God, not possessions.
  • Trust God to provide what you truly need for each season of life.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for the many gifts and blessings You provide each day. Teach me to live with gratitude and contentment rather than endless striving. Help me to enjoy the life You have given and to trust You fully in every season. Guard my heart from comparison and dissatisfaction, and fill me with joy rooted in Your goodness. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Money / Finances / Wealth, Unteachable / Foolish, Wise

Chasing What Cannot Last (Ecclesiastes 5:8-17)

How much is enough before a person finally feels satisfied?

Key Verse:
“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income…” —Ecclesiastes 5:10 NASB

Background Context:
In Ecclesiastes 5:1–7, Solomon emphasizes reverence before God, warning against careless words and shallow worship.

Now in Ecclesiastes 5:8–17, Solomon turns to another common pursuit “under the sun”—wealth, success, and possessions. He observes the corruption, anxiety, and emptiness that often accompany the love of money and earthly gain.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Ecclesiastes 5:8-17

      8If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight; for one official watches over another official, and there are higher officials over them. 9After all, a king who cultivates the field is an advantage to the land.

The Folly of Riches

      10He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity. 11When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the advantage to their owners except to look on? 12The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep.

      13There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their owner to his hurt. 14When those riches were lost through a bad investment and he had fathered a son, then there was nothing to support him. 15As he had come naked from his mother’s womb, so will he return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand. 16This also is a grievous evil—exactly as a man is born, thus will he die. So what is the advantage to him who toils for the wind?

Reflection on Ecclesiastes 5:8–17:
Solomon begins by observing oppression and corruption within human systems.

When people see injustice, abuse of power, and exploitation, they should not be surprised. Those in authority often answer to others above them, creating layers of brokenness and self-interest.

This is a sobering reminder that human systems alone cannot fully solve the problem of sin.

But Solomon quickly shifts toward a deeper issue:
the love of wealth.

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money…”

This is one of the clearest and most timeless statements in Ecclesiastes.

The pursuit of wealth promises satisfaction, security, and fulfillment. Yet Solomon—who possessed extraordinary wealth and success—declares that money itself never fully satisfies.

Why?

Because desire grows alongside abundance.

The more people gain, the more they often want:

  • more comfort
  • more success
  • more possessions
  • more security
  • more recognition

Contentment remains just out of reach.

Solomon also observes that increased wealth often brings increased burdens.

“When good things increase, those who consume them increase.”

Possessions create responsibility, stress, and anxiety. Wealth can attract:

  • dependence from others
  • fear of loss
  • endless striving
  • sleeplessness

Meanwhile, the laborer who works simply often sleeps more peacefully than the wealthy person consumed by worry.

This reveals an important truth:
peace does not come automatically from abundance.

Solomon then describes another painful reality:
wealth can disappear suddenly.

Riches gained and stored carefully can be lost through difficult circumstances, poor decisions, or unexpected events. And ultimately, no one carries earthly possessions beyond death.

“As he had come naked from his mother’s womb, so will he return…”

This echoes themes Solomon has repeated throughout Ecclesiastes:
earthly things are temporary.

This does not mean money itself is evil.

Scripture does not condemn responsible work, wise stewardship, or provision. Rather, 1 Timothy 6:10 warns that “the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil.”

The issue is where the heart places its trust and hope.

When wealth becomes:

  • identity
  • security
  • purpose
  • or ultimate pursuit

it cannot carry the weight people place upon it.

Only God can provide lasting fulfillment and peace.

This passage challenges us to examine our hearts honestly.

Are we pursuing God while responsibly handling resources?

Or are we chasing possessions as though they will finally satisfy what only God can fill?

Solomon’s observations remain deeply relevant today because the human heart has not changed.

People still strive endlessly for “more,” believing satisfaction waits just beyond the next achievement or purchase.

But Ecclesiastes reminds us:
without God, the pursuit never ends.

True contentment is not found in having everything.

It is found in trusting the One who provides everything.

Application:

  • Examine whether money or possessions have become too central in your heart.
  • Pursue contentment rather than endless striving for “more.”
  • Remember that earthly possessions are temporary and cannot satisfy fully.
  • Practice gratitude for what God has already provided.
  • Place your trust and security in God rather than wealth.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to guard my heart from the love of money and the endless pursuit of worldly gain. Teach me to be content with what You provide and to trust You as my true source of peace and security. Help me to use resources wisely without allowing them to become my focus or identity. Thank You for faithfully providing for my needs. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Help / Serve Others, Peace / Rest, Seeking God, Wise

Two Are Better Than One (Ecclesiastes 4)

Have you ever felt like you were carrying life alone?

Key Verse:
“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.” —Ecclesiastes 4:9 NASB

Background Context:
In Ecclesiastes 3:16–22, Solomon reflects on injustice and reminds us that God will ultimately judge both the righteous and the wicked.

Now in Ecclesiastes 4:1–16, he continues observing life “under the sun,” focusing on oppression, loneliness, and the pursuit of success—revealing both the pain of isolation and the value of companionship.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Ecclesiastes 4

The Evils of Oppression

     1Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them. 2So I congratulated the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still living. 3But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.

      4I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind. 5The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. 6One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

      7Then I looked again at vanity under the sun. 8There was a certain man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, “And for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of pleasure?” This too is vanity and it is a grievous task.

      9Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 10For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. 11Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 12And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

      13A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction. 14For he has come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom. 15I have seen all the living under the sun throng to the side of the second lad who replaces him. 16There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind.

Reflection on Ecclesiastes 4:
Solomon begins by returning to a heavy theme—injustice and oppression.

He observes the tears of the oppressed and notes that they have no comforter. Power is in the hands of those who oppress, and those suffering have no one to stand with them.

This is deeply sobering.

It highlights not only the presence of injustice, but the absence of support. The pain is not just what people endure—it is that they endure it alone.

Solomon’s reflection becomes so heavy that he makes a striking statement: that those who have already died are better off than the living, and even better is the one who has never existed.

This is not a theological conclusion—it is an expression of how broken life can appear when viewed only “under the sun,” without fully considering God’s eternal perspective.

He then shifts to another observation.

Much of human effort and achievement is driven by rivalry—people striving not out of purpose, but out of comparison and competition with others.

This too is “striving after wind.”

It leads to exhaustion, not fulfillment.

Solomon contrasts two extremes.

On one side is the person who refuses to work and falls into ruin. On the other is the person who works endlessly, never satisfied, yet has no one to share life with.

Both are empty.

This leads to one of the most well-known and practical truths in this chapter:

“Two are better than one…”

Solomon explains why:

  • They have a better return for their labor
  • They can help each other when one falls
  • They provide warmth and support
  • They are stronger together

This is not just about productivity—it is about relationship.

We were not created to live in isolation.

God designed us for connection, support, and community. Life is not meant to be carried alone.

The image of a “cord of three strands” is especially powerful. While two are stronger than one, adding a third strand makes the bond even more secure.

This points beyond human relationship—it points to God being part of that connection. When God is at the center, relationships are strengthened and sustained.

Solomon ends with a reflection on leadership and popularity.

A poor but wise youth can rise above an old and foolish king, yet even this success is temporary. People will follow for a time, but eventually, they move on.

This reinforces the broader message:

Status, success, and recognition are temporary.
Relationships and God-centered living have lasting value.

Ecclesiastes 4 reminds us that life without God can feel heavy and empty—but within that, we also see the importance of walking through life with others.

We are not meant to strive alone.

We are meant to walk together—with one another, and with God.

Application:

  • Do not try to carry life on your own—seek meaningful relationships.
  • Be intentional about supporting others who are struggling.
  • Avoid striving out of comparison or competition.
  • Recognize the limits of success and status—they do not satisfy.
  • Invite God into your relationships, making Him the center.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for creating me for relationship and not for isolation. Help me to build strong, meaningful connections with others and to walk alongside them in support and love. Keep me from striving out of comparison or selfish ambition. Teach me to place You at the center of my life and my relationships. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faithful, Fear / Reverence for God, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Peace / Rest, Wise

A Time for Everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-15)

Do you trust God with the timing of your life—even when it doesn’t match your expectations?

Key Verse:
“He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart…” —Ecclesiastes 3:11 NASB

Background Context:
After exploring the emptiness of life apart from God in Ecclesiastes 1–2 and recognizing that meaning must be received from Him, Solomon now shifts focus in Ecclesiastes 3:1–15 to the nature of time and God’s sovereignty over it.

This passage reveals that life is not random or uncontrolled—God appoints the seasons and determines their purpose.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Ecclesiastes 3:1-10

A Time for Everything

      1There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—

      2A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.

      3A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.

      4A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.

      5A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.

      6A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.

      7A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.

      8A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.

      9What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? 10I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.

God Set Eternity in the Heart of Man

      11He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.

      12I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; 13moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God. 14I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him. 15That which is has been already and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by.

Reflection on Ecclesiastes 3:1–15:
Solomon begins with a well-known truth: “There is an appointed time for everything.” He then lists a series of contrasting seasons—birth and death, planting and uprooting, weeping and laughing, mourning and dancing.

These contrasts reflect the full range of human experience.

Some seasons are joyful and desired. Others are painful and difficult. Yet Solomon makes it clear that all of them exist within God’s appointed order.

This challenges how we often view life.

We tend to embrace the good seasons and resist the difficult ones. We may even question God when we find ourselves in hardship. But this passage reminds us that both are part of the rhythm of life under God’s authority.

Nothing is outside of His awareness.
Nothing is outside of His control.

Solomon then asks an important question: what profit is there in all our labor?

This connects back to earlier chapters. If we are striving to control outcomes or force results, we will find frustration. But when we recognize that God is in control of time, our perspective begins to shift.

We are not called to control every season—we are called to trust God within them.

“He has made everything appropriate in its time.”

This does not mean we will always understand what God is doing. In fact, Solomon acknowledges that God has set eternity in our hearts, yet we cannot fully comprehend His work from beginning to end.

This creates tension.

We long to understand.
We want clarity.
We desire control.

But we are limited.

This limitation is not a flaw—it is a reminder that we are not God.

Solomon then points us back to a simple but meaningful response: to rejoice, to do good, and to enjoy the life God has given. These are not shallow pursuits—they are acts of trust when we recognize that life is a gift from Him.

He also reminds us that God’s work endures forever. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. This reinforces that God’s plan is complete and unshakable.

Finally, Solomon brings us back to a central truth: God’s purpose is that people should fear Him—to live in reverence, trust, and obedience.

This passage teaches us that life’s seasons are not random.

They are appointed.
They are purposeful.
They are under God’s control.

Our role is not to master time, but to trust the One who does.

Application:

  • Trust God with the timing of your life, even when it is difficult.
  • Recognize that both joyful and painful seasons have purpose.
  • Let go of the need to control what only God can control.
  • Choose to rejoice and do good in the season you are in.
  • Live with reverence for God, trusting His eternal plan.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to trust You with the seasons of my life. When I do not understand what You are doing, remind me that You are in control and that Your timing is perfect. Teach me to live with faith and reverence, rejoicing in what You provide and trusting in Your greater plan. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Unteachable / Foolish, Wise

When Everything Still Feels Empty (Ecclesiastes 1-2)

Have you ever pursued something you were sure would satisfy you—only to find it didn’t?

Key Verse:
“There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God.” —Ecclesiastes 2:24 NASB

Background Context:
In Ecclesiastes 1–2, Solomon, a man given great wisdom, wealth, and opportunity, sets out to explore what gives life meaning. He examines life “under the sun,” pursuing wisdom, pleasure, achievement, and work to their fullest extent.

What he records is not theory—it is experience. He has lived what many spend their lives chasing.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Ecclesiastes 1-2

Reflection on Ecclesiastes 1–2:
Solomon begins with a bold and unsettling statement: “Vanity of vanities… all is vanity.” He observes the endless cycles of life—generations come and go, the sun rises and sets, and nothing seems to produce lasting meaning.

He then turns to wisdom. With greater understanding than anyone before him, he seeks to find purpose through knowledge. Yet the more he understands, the more he sees the brokenness of the world. Wisdom reveals truth, but it cannot fix what is wrong.

So he turns to pleasure.

He pursues laughter, enjoyment, wine, possessions, accomplishments, and great projects. He builds, acquires, and experiences everything he desires. If fulfillment could be found through enjoyment and success, Solomon would have found it.

But he does not.

Instead, he concludes that it too is “striving after wind.” The satisfaction is temporary. It does not last.

Then he considers work and achievement. Even meaningful labor becomes frustrating when he realizes it will all be left to someone else—someone who may not handle it wisely. What he builds does not remain in his control.

This leads to a sobering realization: even the best things in life—wisdom, pleasure, and work—cannot provide lasting meaning when pursued on their own.

Everything he tries points to the same conclusion:
👉 We cannot create meaning through our own efforts.

But then, at the end of chapter 2, something shifts.

Solomon recognizes that enjoyment itself—eating, drinking, and finding satisfaction in work—is not meaningless when it is received from God.

“This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God.”

This is the turning point.

What could not be achieved through striving can be received as a gift.

Solomon goes further: “For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?”

The answer is clear—no one.

Without God, even the greatest pursuits feel empty. With God, even the simplest parts of life take on meaning.

This reframes everything.

Meaning is not found in how much we accomplish, how much we know, or how much we experience. It is found in our relationship with God and in receiving what He provides with gratitude.

Solomon also introduces a distinction—God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please Him, while others are left striving without satisfaction. This reminds us that how we live before God matters.

Ecclesiastes 1–2 leads us to a clear and powerful truth:

We cannot find meaning by chasing it.
We can only receive it from God.

Application:

  • Reflect on what you have been pursuing for meaning and fulfillment.
  • Recognize that no achievement, pleasure, or knowledge can satisfy apart from God.
  • Shift from striving to receiving what God provides with gratitude.
  • Align your life with God so that your work and experiences have lasting purpose.
  • Trust that true fulfillment is found in relationship with Him.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to recognize where I have been striving to find meaning apart from You. Teach me to stop chasing what cannot satisfy and to receive what You provide with gratitude. Align my heart with Your will so that my life is rooted in You and filled with true purpose. Thank You for being the source of meaning, joy, and fulfillment. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.