Eccl. 11 – Spit Ballin’

There are many areas of our faith in which we really don’t know what we’re doing. We think we do. We act like we do, but we don’t. Paul wrote, “We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.”

However, this shouldn’t keep us from doing what we think we should. We should not remain idle. In fact that’s probably the most important part. As Paul said in Romans 14, “Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” Rest assured that one-day we’ll stand before God and we’ll see where we were off. But for now, the only one who knows it all, is God. Chapter 11 reminds me of that:

“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” Ecclesiastes 11:4-6

There’s so much division and argument on the ways we should live out our faith. It’s pretty much always been that way. There’s always been at least two sides to almost every issue. It’s funny how today we can be convinced of something that history shows cannot be solved with our own wisdom. That doesn’t mean we stop trying to understand, it just means we should have a bit more of a humble posture in thinking we know it all.

And whatever we do, we should do it to the Glory of God and out of affection for God. That’s much harder than it sounds. But if that’s truly our motive… I think God will be pleased with our efforts (and scripture tells us he'll give us a hand).

Psalm 11 - Bad Things

We are all capable of bad things, even those of us who are searching out the good things. We are still capable of bad. I would imagine that to be one of the reasons David was constantly asking God to search his heart. Maybe Jeremiah put it best when he said, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

“For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.” – Psalm 11:2

Even for evil, there is a time of preparation. We dig in our heels and consider the best course of action. We bend our bows, we set the arrow against the strings, and we shoot. Who can understand it? Even in our “evil”, Psychologists say that each of us want to be right. With that want comes an innate need for someone else to be wrong. Many times we sabotage the scenario, see the experience through filtered lens, and do whatever we have to do to be right… although our actions may be filled with self, greed, pride, neglect… evil. Sometimes when we don’t even know it.

This is bad news, but there is hope. That time of preparation gives us a moment to fight the action.

“In your anger do not sin…” Psalm 4:4

“…Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” – James 1:14-15

But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13

When we are angry, we can choose not to sin. When we are tempted, we can choose not to sin. When we are enticed, we can choose not to sin. In the same way, we can bend our bows, and still choose to stop. We can set our arrow against the string, and still choose to stop. It’s not too late, as long as we have yet to release the string. Here’s the rest of the Psalm 4 reference:

“In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah. Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD. –Psalm 4:4-5

Psalm 7 - Motive

The best leadership book I’ve read in five years is “Leadership and Self Deception” by The Arbinger Institute. While it’s title is very revealing, hidden inside are self exploring scenarios that ring amazingly true and give surprising insight to areas we are often blind too. It’s amazing how much we fail to look inward for hidden deficiencies when evaluating leadership, whether it’s in our church or secular organization.

Why is that? Is it fear or pride? Are we really that ignorant or in denial? Or is it that we really just don’t want to know or deal with our private issues that spawn from personal insecurities, perspectives, wounds, inabilities and/or nurture? In leadership, there’s a huge difference between those who want to know and those who don’t. One thing worse than being ignorant, is to be ignorant of our ignorance. It’s revealed in whether or not we lead (or even live) in honesty and confidence, or insecurity and fear. It’s no different in our faith journey.

A scripture that is often misused is found in Proverbs 16. Verse 3 says, “commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” This verse is commonly used in a “name it and claim it” kind of a way. If we don’t really know what to do, then just ask God to bless it and He will (or at least we hope that He will).

This is not the point of this scripture. Instead, this scripture is a great measuring stick of motive. If we cannot truly commit or dedicate a decision in full disclosure to our God, then it’s a great indicator that something is wrong. Vs. 2 says that, “All man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” And vs. 4 closes the thought by stating, “The Lord works out everything for his own ends…”

David is using this same logic in measuring motive in Psalm 7.

“O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands - if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe - then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust.” - Psalm 7:3-5

David is being heart level honest before God. Are we? Not that often. When was the last time we said, “God if my motive is not completely pure here… then just burn me up right now, let me get what I deserve.”

It’s critical that in order to be honest with God, we must search our own hearts and be honest with ourselves. Who are we really fooling? It’s not God. It’s only our selves and others around us.

When we live and lead in ignorance, we hurt those around us, in leadership we hurt our staff and those involved with our organization. In faith, the circle of hurt is closer and bigger than we know. We hurt our spouses, our children, our friends, our coworkers… and ourselves.

Father, I can’t pray like David. Instead, I have to ask today that I don’t get what I deserve. I do pray that you search my heart and show me the ways that I choose self over you, but I ask for your continued Grace and Mercy. Thank you for your plan of redemption. Thank you for reconciling us through Your Son. Thank you for your patience. Amen.