Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

ENJOY LIFE WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE - "Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going" (Ecclesiastes 9:7-10).

It is important to ensure that as Christians we never take God's Word out of context or misinterpret its meaning.

We must always look back to ensure we grasp the significance of wherever we find ourselves in Scripture, for the opportunities God places before us at every turn are limitless especially in the construct of time as it relates to our lives.

Who we were directly impacts who we are for better or worse. Therefore, if we are to glean the wisdom Solomon conveys in verses 7-10, we must first reflect upon what he said directly preceding it.

Yes, we are to enjoy life with the ones we love (v. 7-10), but we are to do so recognizing our mortality (v. 1-6) and how quality time plays a critical role in our search for peace, happiness, tranquility and significance. In truth, the bigger question is identifying what motivates our thinking and behavior more than the object of our affection and desire.

Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21), and we are wise to understand that motivation is key to discerning whether we are held captive by worldly perspective or Godly perspective.

Let us be clear: There is nothing wrong with desiring to be happy. God desires for His children to rejoice in the fruit of the spirit He offers freely to those who trust in His Word and identify themselves as born-again.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23).

That is why Solomon encourages us to enjoy life with those we love, especially as men whose wives submit to our headship in marriage unto Christ. Submission is an incredible gift we are given by our wives, and we cannot diminish that choice in any way for it is compelled in love and obedience to Scripture when relinquished without hesitation.

That does not assume we are worthy to receive such an honor because Christ is the only husband our wives should submit to. As husbands, we are simply the vessels our wives submit through as they submit to Scriptural authority.

Again, let us also be clear that happiness is not the ultimate pursuit we are to focus our time and efforts toward. Sanctification trumps happiness in God's economy, therefore we cannot become susceptible to feeling we deserve to be happy in our marriages when trials and conflict arise and "exit stage left" is readily available.

No, we must hold firm to our marital covenant and not confuse our desire to be happy as a need that will never come to fruition as our flesh demands.

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God" (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).

Solomon admonishes that in order to receive the full blessing of happiness, we are to wear garments of white with heads covered in oil. The brushstrokes painted here offer us a glimpse of righteousness we are to seek after. That begins by recognizing our sinful shortcomings and seeking forgiveness through genuine, Biblical repentance.

Again, that does not pin us down under the weight of guilt, shame and regret, but it does magnify the chasm of despair that exists between fleshly living and Godly character.

"Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

The key takeaway is that while we all struggle with sin and temptation, those of us who have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior and been born-again are not subject to obey what comes natural in the world.

We can choose to resist evil and live for Christ, and thus cover our heads with the oil of sanctification and put on garments of white that have been washed by the blood of the lamb for our salvation.

Time is critical though. We cannot take for granted that tomorrow is guaranteed. Therefore, spending quality time with our spouses and children is paramount because they are our true prize at the end of each working day.

Typically, we look at our paycheck as the reward for employment, but Solomon conveys a different message we need to recognize. For how many of us considered this passage of Ecclesiastes when we committed our vows?

More importantly, how many of us are now convicted that we have squandered so many years of our marriages because we focused on areas of discontentment rather than enjoying the blessing of our marital covenant? This perspective opens our eyes to fresh wisdom conveyed in Scripture as well.

"Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered" (1 Peter 3:7).

Bottom-line, when we shift our focus toward the blessings God gives through quality time with our loved ones, we begin to understand that seeking to understand replaces confrontation, and showing honor elevates mutual respect and admiration.

Finally, Solomon exhorts that whatever we do should be done with all our might. Likewise, Paul wrote, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17).

In either case, the message of a dedicated and determined effort is made to emphasize how important diligence and discipline are in the pursuit of happiness and contentment. For what man can be content in his marriage if he is not fully engaged but lazy, indifferent and lackadaisical toward his wife?

A halfhearted effort will result in diminishing returns if consistent over time and tempt a man to flee his marriage rather than fight for it. This simply cannot be! Divorce has become the popular choice many have chosen rather than working toward reconciliation and healing through Biblical counseling.

However, there is another option and Solomon exhorts us to believe in the power of grace and mercy through the Holy Spirit that empowers us as followers of Christ to change course and enjoy life with those we love.

Opportunities will undoubtedly arise in our marriages to flee when conflict abounds and temptations to justify sin seem rational. But to those who persevere in the face of danger, infinite blessing awaits.

The question is whether we will embrace the lot we have been given or turn away from the refiner's fire that purifies our hearts and allows us to love our spouses as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up unto death for His bride. 

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:1-2).