Bourland Family Blog

“If the ax is dull and the man does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength; but wisdom helps him to succeed.” Ecclesiastes 10:10 ->me: There is something about this verse that really rings true with me.  Whet -> to sharpen.  A wise axeman takes the time to prepare his tools.   The foolish one will in haste run out to chop wood without tending to his equipment…because of his dull blade he will spend way more effort than is necessary to do the job.  This is a great reminder to slow down or be prepared for life’s situations.  Slow down, take stock, and do the work beforehand…everything will go so much smoother.  The biggest one I can think of is what I am doing here – I am spending time every day to learn to wield my sword and correctly wear the armor; all the while leaning on my Lord more and more so that I am prepared for when trial comes.

“If the temper of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place [or show a resisting spirit]; for gentleness and calmness prevent or put a stop to great offenses.” Ecclesiastes 10:4 ->me: I really appreciate this call by the Preacher not to run from the anger of your boss or someone in power above you. Stay there and don’t panic in fear or desert in bitterness. Through the Christlike character God is building in me, the Lord gives me the ability to sooth anger with a calm forbearance. This is where having a close/consistent communication pipeline open with God comes into play in amazing ways. It says a lot about Jesus in me when I humbly listen while quietly praying for wisdom and words of a disarming nature. More often than not your stock will rise when your boss or leader sees you humbly and meekly stand in the fray and extinguish the flame of the situation through soothing acknowledgement and/or wise solutions. Thank you Lord for the undeniable presence of Your Spirit in times in my life.

Ben’s QTVOTD – “DEAD FLIES cause the ointment of the perfumer to putrefy [and] send forth a vile odor; so does a little folly [in him who is valued for wisdom] outweigh wisdom and honor.  A wise man’s heart turns him toward his right hand, but a fool’s heart toward his left.” Ecclesiastes 10:1-2 ->me: What a day to get this set of verses in my quiet time.  Once again, I read these verses (while reading ahead) a couple of days ago, but now after prayer for God’s understanding of these texts, they hit home.  This fly in the ointment happened to me about 6 months ago.  I consider work my mission field and I strive to be not only above reproach in my walk but to keep my speech and perception that which is worthy of my King.  I remember being in a meeting room with my vice president and several others recounting a funny but lightly inappropriate (involved a conversation/prank in a bathroom) about 6 years ago that involved myself and said V.P.  I immediately could tell that this normally uninhibited V.P. had a look on his face that was other than amused.  I stopped immediately but knew right then and there I had screwed up (mostly that I had let my Lord and Savior down).  In an effort to be silly and tell a funny story, I went against wisdom, choosing my left hand and am fairly confident I, in that one act, tainted years of reputation of character in that one moment of folly.  The worst part is that I tainted a representation of Christ I strive to preserve.  To this day I pray for God’s mercy and forgiveness for that moment and resulting change in perception.  Although it will not erase what I did, I probably (I know I need to) approach my V.P. and apologize for the comments and ask for his forgiveness.  Lord, please give me the courage to do this as soon as this coming week, that I might reclaim as much of your glory as possible in the eyes of those I work with.

Ben’s QTVOTD – “The words of wise men heard in quiet are better than the shouts of him who rules among fools.” Ecclesiastes 9:17 ->me: Strangely this verse is an affirmation of the way I try to operate in most circumstances. At work I am not typically the guy standing up in front of many people trying to influence in that way; I try to work behind the scenes as much as possible, to help others see a path forward. I am not saying I am the wise man but I did take away that we should listen to the quiet wisdom from those around us rather than follow the loudest voice in the room, on the Facebook feed, or in the media. I think this ends up being the person who is meek in spirit, not out for themselves, so the information or advice is more likely to be genuine. I really like the insight that true wisdom is not proud, true wisdom is gracious, and that true wisdom does not need an audience of many. As I ask for wisdom from the Lord, I pray that I will have the meekness and humility to be that quiet wisdom heard in the quiet. I also pray that this is the wisdom that I seek out from others. That the Lord would give me the discernment to know the quiet wise ones He has put in my life and add weight to the learnings from those individuals.

Ben’s QTVOTD – “Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun—all the days of futility. For that is your portion in this life and in your work at which you toil under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:9 ->me: The Preacher encourages us to enjoy our married mates in this life ‘under the sun’. The demands of marriage include giving of affection (whom you [actively] love), the active pursuit of enjoyment in it (Live joyfully), a life-long (all the days) encouragement amid the responsibilities and duties of life (in you work at which you toil). Through God’s grace and blessing, Marianne and my marriage has been the birthplace of so much good. As with any marriage, we have had our struggles and challenges but I would never trade our experiences together…for anything. I am a better man because of Marianne. We are living proof that through a marriage where both husband and wife have Jesus as their first love, there is not the Lord cannot do through them. When I reflect on what God has done and look presently at what He is doing, I understand the call here to strengthen that bond with the one who God will use to make us all who He wants us to be. The short of it is that Marianne is a bit of heaven given to me from God, here on this earth, and during this time ‘under the sun’.

“Go your way, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart [if you are righteous, wise, and in the hands of God], for God has already accepted your works.  Let your garments be always white [with purity], and let your head not lack [the] oil [of gladness].” Ecclesiastes 9:7-8 ->me:  This is a great follow on from yesterday.  It essentially states the same thing but it hit me stronger and pulled with several other verses that I have floating around in the back of my mind. 1) “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.  In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalms 1:1-3  2) “…your heavenly Father knows [everything that you need].  Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.” Matthew 6:32b-34 MAIN POINT: Do not do as the world does; focusing all energy on getting what you want, being better than the other guy, or creating great storehouses.  Instead, set your eyes on the eternal prize, living as Jesus does (not to be served but to serve) [an example the Preacher did not have], and seeking to understand the heart and mind of your Savior – when you do these things you can rest in the few contentment’s He has given us here on earth.

“When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to see the business activity and the painful effort that take place upon the earth—how neither day nor night some men’s eyes sleep—then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun—because however much a man may toil in seeking, yet he will not find it out; yes, more than that, though a wise man thinks and claims he knows, yet will he not be able to find it out.” Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 ->me: I find such relief in these verses!!!  The Preacher (Solomon – the wisest man in all of history), after using his wisdom to seek out all that he could about understanding the ways and purposes of God, the answers to life’s biggest questions, and what we are here for…he relents and accepts that he CANNOT KNOW.  I must be content not to know everything.  No amount of hard work, persistent searching, skill, or experience will unravel these mysteries.  The greatest minds and scientists will say they have certain things figured out but never in their lifetime will the secrets be explained or revealed.  In verse 15 (the verse just before these 2) the Preacher instructs us to be content and enjoy the aspects of life God has given us to enjoy -> a good meal, great companionship, and to just be happy in who we are in the Lord: these are the good things from God in this life ‘under the sun’.  I pray that I can keep these things in balance, caring for the less fortunate, winning souls to the Kingdom, growing in my knowledge of the Almighty through His word, enjoying the beauty of His creation, loving every moment I get to spend with the ones I love, and of course -> enjoying a good meal.  🙂

“Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and his days [seemingly] are prolonged [in his wickedness], yet surely I know that it will be well with those who [reverently] fear God, who revere and worship Him, realizing His continual presence. But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not [reverently] fear and worship God.” Ecclesiastes 8:12-13 ->me: Here is a time where the Preacher says something other than ‘I saw’ or ‘I have seen’…he says “I know”. This is a statement of confident faith. Those who fear God will be well in the end. These are the people who revere the name of God, worship Him, and they realize and are confident in the Lord’s presence in their lives. It will not be so with the wicked. Although justice might be delayed here on earth, judgement after this life ‘under the sun’ will be swift. The unrighteous will not flourish beyond the grave.

“There is no man who has power over the spirit to retain the breath of life, neither has he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in battle [against death], neither will wickedness deliver those who are its possessors and given to it.” Ecclesiastes 8:8 ->me: There is so much packed into this little verse. It is a stark reminder that we are not in control and that we have no way of knowing the day we will leave this earth. It seems obvious that there is no form of wickedness will save the person given over to it, but this is the state of every unbeliever. This is why I must reach out with the truth at every opportunity the Lord puts in front of me. Whether that is here at work, on the street, at home, with a friend, or a complete stranger for that matter. I must never allow myself to be an unused vessel; I am most rewarded by being the conduit by which the Lord calls someone to Himself. Lord help me to hear your voice and recognize the opportunities when they are presented. Growing your Kingdom is my goal.

Ben’s QTVOTD – “Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.” Ecclesiastes 7:29 ->me: This entire chapter of Ecclesiastes (chap 7), has been on the Preacher’s (Solomon’s) struggles is with understanding life through earthly wisdom. He concludes the chapter with several points: 1) His life was foolishness and madness until he sought the wisdom of the Creator, and turning from relying on what he could answer in his own earthly wisdom. 2) True wisdom is rare and he could scarcely (1/10th of 1 percent) find any men with it. 3) Man was created by God to walk upright (a heart disposed to faithfulness and obedience) but it is man who is to blame for our current condition. Sin has entered in and man’s sin is all of these things – Perverse (we invent things to change the norm), Deliberate (Persistent/Proactive), Universal (everyone is affected through the seed of Adam and Eve), and Multi-Form (many many manifestations – “Everyone to his own way’). The uber point is that there is no use in using earthly ideas, thought, or wisdom to discern the aspects of life and death separate from God. Peace comes from God to the man whose heart is stayed on Him — Isaiah 26:3a.