WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.359 And if you have a Bible, you can turn with me to the book of Ecclesiastes, that wisdom 00:00:16.359 --> 00:00:18.219 book that we find in the poetry section. 00:00:18.219 --> 00:00:25.960 We're going to read from chapter 6, verse 10, to chapter 7, verse 14. 00:00:25.960 --> 00:00:33.579 As we hear the preacher teach us how to live wisely in the time that God sets for our lives. 00:00:37.679 --> 00:00:39.420 So chapter 6, verse 10. 00:00:40.460 --> 00:00:42.380 Let's hear the Word of God once again. 00:00:43.600 --> 00:00:49.500 Whatever exists has already been named, and what humanity is has been known. 00:00:50.439 --> 00:00:53.200 No one can contend with someone who is stronger. 00:00:53.200 --> 00:00:56.460 However, the more the words, the less the meaning. 00:00:57.080 --> 00:00:58.420 And how does that profit anyone? 00:00:59.320 --> 00:01:03.640 For who knows what is good for a person in life during the few and meaningless days they 00:01:03.640 --> 00:01:05.159 pass through like a shadow? 00:01:05.700 --> 00:01:09.140 Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone? 00:01:10.240 --> 00:01:17.359 A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. 00:01:17.359 --> 00:01:23.780 It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is 00:01:23.780 --> 00:01:25.140 the destiny of everyone. 00:01:25.700 --> 00:01:27.459 The living should take this to heart. 00:01:28.680 --> 00:01:33.099 Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. 00:01:33.799 --> 00:01:39.000 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. 00:01:39.000 --> 00:01:45.739 It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools. 00:01:46.340 --> 00:01:50.920 Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. 00:01:51.079 --> 00:01:52.980 This too is meaningless. 00:01:54.379 --> 00:01:59.980 Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart. 00:02:00.760 --> 00:02:07.120 The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. 00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:12.460 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. 00:02:13.259 --> 00:02:17.439 Do not say, why were the old days better than these? 00:02:18.120 --> 00:02:20.819 For it is not wise to ask such questions. 00:02:21.980 --> 00:02:27.259 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing, and benefits those who see the sun. 00:02:28.060 --> 00:02:30.719 Wisdom is a shelter, as money is a shelter. 00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:33.200 But the advantage of knowledge is this. 00:02:33.960 --> 00:02:36.040 Wisdom preserves those who have it. 00:02:36.039 --> 00:02:39.379 Consider what God has done. 00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:42.680 Who can straighten what He has made crooked? 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:48.759 When times are good, be happy, but when times are bad, consider this. 00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:56.159 God has made the one as well as the other, therefore no one can discover anything about their future. 00:02:57.519 --> 00:03:00.979 And so we will leave our reading there. 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:10.060 Perhaps you are familiar with the expression, the best laid plans of mice and men, from 00:03:10.060 --> 00:03:15.239 Rabbie Burns to a mice, the best laid plans of mice and men always go awry. 00:03:16.019 --> 00:03:20.899 It was a theme picked up by John Steinbeck in his book of mice and men. 00:03:21.599 --> 00:03:27.019 For those of us who had to read it in school, you might remember George and his big friend 00:03:27.020 --> 00:03:34.280 Lenny and George's great plans for their security and prosperity, but it all goes wrong. 00:03:34.439 --> 00:03:36.240 Things tragically unravel. 00:03:36.960 --> 00:03:41.620 At the point of the book, the best laid plans of mice and men always go awry. 00:03:43.379 --> 00:03:47.379 It resonates with many, I guess, because we know it by experience. 00:03:48.520 --> 00:03:52.660 We come to discover that so much lies out of our control. 00:03:52.659 --> 00:03:59.300 We discover often that we are taken by surprise, by events and circumstances. 00:04:00.759 --> 00:04:07.460 Humility teaches us that we cannot explain everything and that injustice and sadness are a feature 00:04:07.460 --> 00:04:07.879 of life. 00:04:08.520 --> 00:04:11.519 And the preacher in Ecclesiastes has been showing us these things. 00:04:12.819 --> 00:04:18.199 But the question for us then is, how should we live in light of that? 00:04:18.199 --> 00:04:21.039 And that's where the preacher is going to take us. 00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:22.800 He's going to give us practical advice. 00:04:22.920 --> 00:04:29.279 He's going to say to us, the way to deal with the fact that we lack control and times are 00:04:29.279 --> 00:04:32.959 confusing and uncertain is not escapism. 00:04:34.439 --> 00:04:39.939 It's not parties, no video games, not amusing ourselves to death, however we might choose to 00:04:39.939 --> 00:04:40.439 do that. 00:04:41.259 --> 00:04:45.379 So it's not escaping reality, nor is it despair. 00:04:45.379 --> 00:04:51.399 We're going to see in chapter 7, he says there are still good things, there are better things 00:04:51.399 --> 00:04:55.120 to find, even in troubling times. 00:04:57.740 --> 00:05:00.259 He's going to invite us to wisdom once again. 00:05:01.180 --> 00:05:08.719 And a particular wisdom, a wisdom that recognizes who God is, one who recognizes that the times 00:05:08.719 --> 00:05:11.300 of our lives come from Him. 00:05:11.300 --> 00:05:17.100 And we can see this, here's our first point, that God sets the times for our lives. 00:05:17.120 --> 00:05:20.680 And we can see this because of the way the text is put together. 00:05:20.819 --> 00:05:25.160 You can identify two brackets or two bookends. 00:05:25.280 --> 00:05:28.060 So think of a bookshelf, think of some bookends, okay? 00:05:28.139 --> 00:05:34.420 And those bookends are going to emphasize for us God's control and God's knowledge in the 00:05:34.420 --> 00:05:37.199 face of our uncertainty and smallness. 00:05:37.199 --> 00:05:42.340 So the first bookend, chapter 6, verses 10 to 12. 00:05:43.980 --> 00:05:49.439 So as we've seen, and as you'll see if you read the book of Ecclesiastes, often, because 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:53.220 of the particular point that the preacher is trying to make as he imagines, what would 00:05:53.220 --> 00:05:56.280 life be like if this was all there was, if there was no God? 00:05:56.279 --> 00:05:59.299 Often God goes unnamed. 00:05:59.739 --> 00:06:01.459 But look at verse 10. 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:10.359 It says there, whatever exists has already been named and what humanity is has been known. 00:06:10.459 --> 00:06:17.599 Our preacher has in view God, the Creator who names all that exists, including us. 00:06:18.399 --> 00:06:22.239 It goes on in verse 10, no one can contend with someone who is stronger. 00:06:22.679 --> 00:06:24.459 And who is the someone who is stronger? 00:06:24.459 --> 00:06:25.779 It's God. 00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:30.719 Job, another wisdom figure, came to realize that. 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:33.000 You can go down to verse 12. 00:06:33.399 --> 00:06:34.259 Another question. 00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:37.019 Who knows what is good for a person in life? 00:06:37.180 --> 00:06:40.099 Well, often we don't, but God does. 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:44.000 He is the one who made us, therefore He knows what is good for us. 00:06:44.779 --> 00:06:45.699 Another question. 00:06:46.620 --> 00:06:50.579 Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone? 00:06:50.579 --> 00:06:52.959 Who is capable to tell the future? 00:06:52.959 --> 00:06:55.819 Who is capable to tell the future beyond ourselves? 00:06:55.919 --> 00:06:57.180 Obviously, we can't. 00:06:58.399 --> 00:06:59.319 God can't. 00:07:00.739 --> 00:07:04.379 And so He's going to give us lots of practical wisdom for living. 00:07:05.399 --> 00:07:08.779 But first of all, He wants to remind us, here's our God. 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:10.240 He is our Creator. 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:11.699 And He knows everything. 00:07:12.259 --> 00:07:13.339 Now, why does He tell us that? 00:07:13.500 --> 00:07:14.659 I think He tells us that. 00:07:15.299 --> 00:07:16.139 To humble us. 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:18.199 So that we would submit to Him. 00:07:18.819 --> 00:07:20.339 So that we might depend on Him. 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:26.439 There's a couple of conclusions that the preacher draws towards the end of the book. 00:07:26.539 --> 00:07:28.079 Chapter 12, verse 1. 00:07:28.539 --> 00:07:32.439 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth. 00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:35.139 Or chapter 12, verse 13. 00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:37.539 Here is the conclusion of the matter. 00:07:38.099 --> 00:07:41.899 Fear God and keep His commandments. 00:07:41.899 --> 00:07:45.839 In light of the ups and downs of life, we fear God. 00:07:45.959 --> 00:07:48.560 We remember our Creator. 00:07:48.679 --> 00:07:51.219 So that's one bookend on the one end. 00:07:51.299 --> 00:07:52.879 But then we go to the end of the section. 00:07:53.299 --> 00:07:57.519 And you see the second bookend there in verse 13 and 14. 00:07:58.239 --> 00:08:00.060 Now, notice it's a wisdom book. 00:08:00.139 --> 00:08:02.399 So we're called to consider. 00:08:03.099 --> 00:08:05.679 So here is something to reflect on. 00:08:05.680 --> 00:08:11.840 Who can straighten what God has made crooked? 00:08:12.840 --> 00:08:20.180 And to reflect on the fact that God made the good times and God made the bad times. 00:08:20.740 --> 00:08:25.540 In other words, our times are in God's hands. 00:08:26.560 --> 00:08:29.000 So to the preacher, He is our Creator. 00:08:29.879 --> 00:08:32.240 And He is also our King. 00:08:32.240 --> 00:08:35.879 He establishes the times for our lives. 00:08:36.340 --> 00:08:42.600 And that we do not have the ability to straighten what He has made crooked. 00:08:44.340 --> 00:08:48.580 Maybe it makes us think of that language in Isaiah and the book of Romans. 00:08:48.940 --> 00:08:50.539 God is the potter. 00:08:51.259 --> 00:08:52.320 We are the clay. 00:08:53.180 --> 00:08:55.879 And so as the objects, we have no right to say to our Maker, 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:58.039 Why did you make us this way? 00:08:58.039 --> 00:09:04.500 And again, what the preacher wants for us is that we would live with trust. 00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:10.259 That regardless of circumstances, we would rest knowing God is God. 00:09:10.659 --> 00:09:11.439 And we are not. 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:16.899 That God understands and has a purpose when we do not see and understand. 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:23.539 And to accept that is what will enable us to receive the times that come into our lives 00:09:23.539 --> 00:09:25.819 with trust and with worship. 00:09:26.819 --> 00:09:31.079 As we would aim to live wisely in whatever comes our way. 00:09:31.519 --> 00:09:34.099 That we might pray with Jesus, our Savior. 00:09:34.939 --> 00:09:37.819 Not my will, but yours be done. 00:09:38.179 --> 00:09:41.759 As we recognize the goodness of our God and King. 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:46.259 That we would be able to pray daily into your hands. 00:09:46.339 --> 00:09:47.659 I commit my spirit today. 00:09:47.659 --> 00:09:50.519 I want to trust in you today. 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:56.120 And understand too that we can trust in Jesus, our Savior. 00:09:57.059 --> 00:10:03.240 As we sang at the beginning, He is the one who gives us strength and peace in the valleys of life. 00:10:03.799 --> 00:10:05.679 And ultimately, He is the one who has given us Himself. 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:10.639 He is the one who went into the valley of the shadow of death for us. 00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:14.839 So that nothing can separate us from the love and goodness of our God. 00:10:15.379 --> 00:10:17.360 So God sets the times for our lives. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:18.899 That's our bookends. 00:10:20.220 --> 00:10:22.200 How then should we live? 00:10:22.440 --> 00:10:26.000 It is the theme of chapter 7 in the first 12 verses. 00:10:26.200 --> 00:10:29.919 It's almost like a bookshelf of practical wisdom. 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:34.220 And we're going to see there's a few different volumes on the shelf. 00:10:36.460 --> 00:10:38.899 All with the theme of living wisely. 00:10:39.940 --> 00:10:42.240 So chapter 7, verse 1 to 6. 00:10:42.360 --> 00:10:46.159 Here's our first book that the preacher pulls out from this bookshelf. 00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:50.719 Live wisely by listening to death. 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:59.600 There is a way in which death can function for us as a preacher or a teacher. 00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:03.079 Inviting us to receive wisdom. 00:11:04.339 --> 00:11:06.819 That our preacher here reminds us. 00:11:06.820 --> 00:11:12.780 There's more wisdom to be found at a funeral than there is at a festival. 00:11:12.780 --> 00:11:24.200 There will be more depth to our lives when we live considering the reality of death rather than in consuming pleasure and trying to ignore the inevitable. 00:11:24.200 --> 00:11:30.000 I think the first six verses want to drive home this lesson. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:32.620 Remember that we will all die. 00:11:32.720 --> 00:11:33.480 That's reality. 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:35.879 So live well today. 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:45.080 And of course we as New Testament people would say that since the resurrection of Jesus, remember to live for eternity. 00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:48.179 So let's look at verse 1. 00:11:48.500 --> 00:11:53.700 Verse 1's got a very interesting, perhaps perplexing contrast. 00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:55.259 We maybe understand the first. 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:58.100 A good name is better than fine perfume. 00:11:58.980 --> 00:12:06.480 You know, being known as a person of integrity and character, being respected, that's worth more than some luxury product. 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:12.519 But then he goes on to say the day of death is better than the day of birth. 00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:15.399 What's going on there? 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:23.960 I think the preacher is wanting us to understand that the day of life and the day a baby is born is a wonderful day. 00:12:24.039 --> 00:12:25.240 It's a day to celebrate, of course. 00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:33.759 But looking at a newborn baby will not teach us anything about their life because it's all still to come. 00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:39.500 But the day of death is different because the day of death reveals. 00:12:40.579 --> 00:12:41.360 Think about a funeral. 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:45.960 We discover, don't we, what a person valued, what a person lived for. 00:12:46.919 --> 00:12:53.060 And so the preacher is saying to us to live in light of that, to choose a good name. 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:59.399 To understand that what matters isn't my collection of fine perfumes. 00:13:00.180 --> 00:13:01.759 It's the lives that we touch. 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:03.379 It's our generosity. 00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:06.019 It's our values and priorities. 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:08.159 It's our faith in Jesus. 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:12.759 Verse 2. 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:12.840 Verse 2. 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:16.100 Again, not our natural instinct. 00:13:16.100 --> 00:13:19.100 Not the natural instinct of our city. 00:13:19.820 --> 00:13:26.420 It's better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting. 00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:33.299 There is more to be gained from a funeral home than there is from a party. 00:13:33.419 --> 00:13:33.759 Why? 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:38.839 Because it keeps the reality of our own death in view. 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:47.940 And when we live aware of our mortality and of eternity, often that serves to fix our focus. 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:53.700 It can be very easy to drift and to prioritize things that don't really matter. 00:13:53.700 --> 00:14:00.860 But as we consider what really matters in life, doesn't it help us to treasure life more? 00:14:01.460 --> 00:14:03.080 To make more time for family. 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:06.960 To be able to be content and to enjoy the good gifts that we receive. 00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:10.120 It's an invitation to us to stop. 00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:11.580 To stop chasing the wind. 00:14:13.040 --> 00:14:17.259 It's also an invitation for us to consider, am I ready to meet with God? 00:14:17.320 --> 00:14:17.860 Am I ready? 00:14:17.960 --> 00:14:19.280 Am I right with God? 00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:20.700 Am I trusting in Jesus? 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:21.700 Am I trusting in Jesus? 00:14:23.020 --> 00:14:24.180 Verse 3. 00:14:25.060 --> 00:14:28.480 It's also very interesting in terms of our reflection. 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:32.900 Frustration is better than laughter. 00:14:33.780 --> 00:14:38.259 Because a sad face is good for the heart. 00:14:40.140 --> 00:14:43.400 There is a value in sadness. 00:14:44.560 --> 00:14:45.440 It's interesting. 00:14:45.540 --> 00:14:49.320 Thinking about that this week, maybe you've recognized this as well. 00:14:49.320 --> 00:14:54.379 Maybe some national tragedy has happened or there's been some terrible situation that's 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:54.920 taken place. 00:14:55.040 --> 00:15:00.620 Often in the media, maybe if families are being interviewed or people are responding, 00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:06.720 often they will include the message, you know, remember to treasure your loved ones. 00:15:06.900 --> 00:15:09.040 Hold your loved ones closer tonight. 00:15:10.440 --> 00:15:12.820 And that's one of the values of sadness, I think. 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:15.560 Serves that wake-up call for us. 00:15:15.559 --> 00:15:18.719 To recognize what really matters. 00:15:19.839 --> 00:15:21.479 It's all about living with wisdom. 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:22.919 Look at verse 4. 00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:30.219 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:34.879 The wise person wants to live with depth. 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:38.439 Not the short-lived escapism. 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:41.740 Not just empty froth or laughter. 00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:44.700 But wants to live life forward. 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:50.379 If I know that one day I will die, what legacy do I want to leave? 00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:55.039 Not chasing and stressing over the stuff that doesn't matter. 00:15:55.039 --> 00:16:01.620 But rather, as the New Testament encourages us, that we'd be treasuring heaven and storing up treasures in heaven. 00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:07.339 That we'd be trusting in our Savior, the one who conquered death. 00:16:07.839 --> 00:16:13.899 So even as we do reflect on death, we do so with eternal hope when we're trusting in Jesus. 00:16:16.459 --> 00:16:20.639 Verse 5 and 6 tell us the wisdom of choosing the right preacher and teacher. 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:26.980 It's better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools. 00:16:27.199 --> 00:16:29.199 The songs of fools, the laughter of fools. 00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:30.580 It's like the crackling of thorns. 00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:33.759 Have you ever burned up thorns or brambles in your garden? 00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:37.659 You know they go up in a whoosh and then it's done. 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:39.799 There's no substance there. 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:45.700 Wisdom pursues substance and death. 00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:46.700 Wisdom. 00:16:46.700 --> 00:16:59.140 It's an invitation to listen to the reality of death. 00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:02.879 So that our trust would be in Jesus ultimately. 00:17:03.540 --> 00:17:05.100 The resurrection and the life. 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:08.759 The one who has gone to prepare an eternal home for his people. 00:17:08.860 --> 00:17:14.180 The one who will return to take his people to be with him forever. 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:21.539 And so we live wisely when we listen to death and we're aware of our own mortality. 00:17:23.580 --> 00:17:28.120 Okay, let's put that book to one side and let's pick up the next volume there. 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:29.360 It's a much thinner volume. 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.799 It's there in verse 7. 00:17:31.560 --> 00:17:35.880 Live wisely by guarding against the love of money. 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:42.299 Extortion turns a wise person into a fool and a bribe corrupts the heart. 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:44.539 And so we just finished last week. 00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:49.579 There was a big section on the love of money and he returns to it here because it's such a big issue. 00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:59.899 Another way that the love of money shows itself is it turns people to extortion and to bribery and corruption. 00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:03.300 Payday loans company. 00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:05.500 Phone scammers. 00:18:08.060 --> 00:18:12.780 Pursuing the love of money and extorting others in the process. 00:18:12.860 --> 00:18:14.840 But the warning here, did you notice the warning? 00:18:16.360 --> 00:18:19.580 Extortion turns a wise person into a fool. 00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:21.980 Even the wise. 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:26.480 Even someone who wants to walk God's way can be sidetracked. 00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:35.439 The pool of money is so strong that even the wise can fall into the ditch of looking to get rich quick. 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:38.199 Of stepping on others to get ahead. 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:41.659 And so we need to hear the preacher's wisdom. 00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:46.019 To borrow from last week as well, remember God is in control. 00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:52.360 God's in control of our lives including the wealth that we have, the career we have, and our lot in life in general. 00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:54.240 That's all in God's hands. 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:58.740 And so again, this is an invitation to choose the wisdom of contentment. 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:02.860 Rather than pursuing the love of money at the expense of other people. 00:19:04.300 --> 00:19:06.380 A couple of days ago I was reading Psalm 4. 00:19:06.380 --> 00:19:08.100 And I'm going to turn there. 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:12.780 I'm going to read what David has to say towards the end of that psalm. 00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:16.420 He's discovered true contentment. 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:19.800 Now listen to how Psalm 4 finishes. 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.280 He prays, 00:19:23.280 --> 00:19:26.100 Let the light of your face shine on us. 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:32.360 Fill my heart with joy, more than when their grain and new wine abound. 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:36.140 In peace I will lie down and sleep. 00:19:36.380 --> 00:19:40.900 For you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. 00:19:42.280 --> 00:19:44.240 David was going through a very hard time. 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:45.900 But he had joy. 00:19:46.340 --> 00:19:48.820 He considered it joy to have the Lord shine on him. 00:19:49.340 --> 00:19:51.720 And to be revealing his love and his mercy to him. 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:56.040 He was living in that peace that comes from knowing God's presence and protection. 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:58.980 And he wouldn't swap it for all the money in the world. 00:19:59.600 --> 00:20:00.300 That's wisdom. 00:20:01.300 --> 00:20:03.000 That's true wealth and treasure. 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:06.700 So live wisely, guard against the love of money. 00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:11.799 Okay, here's the next volume in this practical wisdom. 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:16.220 Live wisely, choose the path of patience. 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:22.680 Now I think for many of us in the 21st century, this is a really challenging one. 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:27.140 Because everything seems so much quicker than it used to be. 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:32.799 And the expectation is that there is a key, there is a life hack for everything. 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:36.779 There is instant success to be found wherever you turn. 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:40.079 So on holiday, we had a nice beach holiday. 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:45.740 And we decided it would be fun to rent a surfboard for a day. 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:49.680 So we did what everybody would do who couldn't afford to pay for lessons. 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:50.500 You go to YouTube. 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:55.200 You watch a YouTube video that was called Learn to Surf in 10 Minutes. 00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:56.279 That's great. 00:20:56.279 --> 00:21:00.059 You wait 10 minutes in your living room and you've got it mastered. 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:00.680 Well, guess what? 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:02.399 We didn't learn in 10 minutes. 00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:04.139 I doubt we would have learned in 10 years. 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:08.299 But that's the temptation and the tendency and the age that we find ourselves. 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:10.779 There must be instant success. 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:13.980 That's not the wisdom of the preacher. 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:16.180 Look at verse 8. 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:19.920 The end of a matter is better than its beginning. 00:21:20.639 --> 00:21:24.460 And patience is better than pride. 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:25.879 What's he saying to us? 00:21:25.880 --> 00:21:27.160 He's saying, give things time. 00:21:28.320 --> 00:21:30.300 It takes time to complete a project. 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:32.980 Don't expect to master something in a moment. 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:38.760 It takes patience and effort and discipline and perseverance with anything in life. 00:21:38.820 --> 00:21:42.620 To raise a family, to grow in biblical wisdom, whatever it might be. 00:21:43.280 --> 00:21:45.220 And he says, that might challenge our pride. 00:21:45.860 --> 00:21:47.200 We expect this will be easy. 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:48.840 I'll be able to do this. 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:49.400 No problem. 00:21:50.580 --> 00:21:53.860 Wisdom is willing to plod patiently over time. 00:21:53.860 --> 00:21:55.600 So give things time. 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:59.520 He changes his focus in verse 9. 00:22:00.320 --> 00:22:05.840 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. 00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:06.640 What's he saying there? 00:22:06.760 --> 00:22:08.080 He's saying, take your time. 00:22:08.800 --> 00:22:12.320 Take your time in how you respond to someone else. 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:16.700 Now we live in a day of the hot take and of social media. 00:22:17.899 --> 00:22:19.480 Our preacher has a lot to say to us. 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:24.240 He's saying, it's folly that flies off the handle. 00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:27.879 It's folly that turns to instant anger and venting. 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:30.100 You know, maybe we know that experience. 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:31.180 It feels good in the moment. 00:22:31.260 --> 00:22:32.300 Then we're left with regret. 00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:35.600 Wisdom takes a different path. 00:22:36.600 --> 00:22:41.060 Wisdom chooses to think the best of the other person. 00:22:42.260 --> 00:22:48.800 Wisdom is ready even to receive the grain of truth in any criticism, even when that criticism 00:22:48.800 --> 00:22:50.400 was not sought out. 00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:55.000 Wisdom exercises patience. 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:57.000 Wisdom is ready even to receive the grain of truth in the heart of fools. 00:22:57.000 --> 00:23:02.539 You can remember what Jesus taught in Matthew chapter 5 in the Sermon on the Mount. 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:07.119 As he equated anger with murder, the command, do not murder. 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:09.880 He spoke against being angry. 00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:14.539 He spoke against calling someone a fool in the heat of the moment. 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:18.920 And then he called his people to aim for reconciliation. 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:26.079 So we take our time and how we respond, that we respond graciously and wisely. 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:32.920 And then verse 10, there is this invitation to read the times wisely. 00:23:33.139 --> 00:23:37.039 Do not say, why were the old days better than these? 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:40.279 For it is not wise to ask such questions. 00:23:41.379 --> 00:23:43.339 Now, I don't know if this has always been the case, 00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:50.179 but we're definitely living at a time where there is a fascination with retro and with nostalgia. 00:23:50.339 --> 00:23:52.939 We seem a particularly nostalgic culture. 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:56.639 It seems that you can't watch a TV show or a movie, 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:59.799 even going to fashion, to music, 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:05.159 without there being some reference to definitely to the 80s and absolutely the 90s. 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:09.619 I'm quite happy there because I grew up in the 90s and that's my happy place. 00:24:09.619 --> 00:24:14.139 But there can be a real temptation with nostalgia. 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:20.000 And we put on our rose-tinted glasses and we say, well, everything was better. 00:24:20.859 --> 00:24:22.959 Everything was wonderful in the good old days. 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:24.619 Perhaps we found ourselves doing that. 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:28.739 Everything, you can look back and say, well, there was this time, 00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:31.719 there was a season in my life where everything was just wonderful. 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:34.579 And we can forget all the difficulties and we can just, you know, 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:36.899 kind of keep it in a glass and it can seem perfect. 00:24:36.900 --> 00:24:38.540 We can do that in our country. 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:40.480 We can do it in our church as well. 00:24:41.620 --> 00:24:43.440 Look back to glory days. 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:47.280 More people, more knowledge, more respect, whatever it might be. 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:51.120 The danger, of course, there may very well be some truth in that, 00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:55.060 but the danger is that if we're always looking backwards, 00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:59.200 two things at least. 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:03.740 There could be a temptation towards sort of bitterness and despair on the one hand. 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:09.940 You know, the good old days were past, but also we can ignore God's presence in the present. 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:16.500 There's a real danger if we're always looking back when nostalgia to forget that God is still on the throne today 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.839 and He's still working today. 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:22.500 We can forget to look for Him, even in the day of small things. 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:27.880 So wisdom, our preacher says, chooses the way of patience. 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:35.560 Even in hard times, like David, Sam 40, I waited patiently for the Lord. 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:39.940 Okay, here's the last volume in our bookshelf of practical wisdom. 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:45.140 Live wisely because wisdom is the best protection. 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:52.460 Maybe you've noticed as we've gone through that there's a series of better-thans in these verses. 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:54.560 A good name is better than fine perfume. 00:25:55.100 --> 00:25:57.280 Better to go to the house of mourning than feasting. 00:25:57.640 --> 00:26:00.780 Better to heed the rebuke of a wise than listen to the song of a fool's. 00:26:00.780 --> 00:26:03.120 And here's the last one. 00:26:03.520 --> 00:26:05.160 In verse 11 and 12, it says, 00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:10.920 Wisdom is better than wealth as protection, as security. 00:26:11.580 --> 00:26:17.560 Wealth is an inheritance, but wisdom is a better inheritance. 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.420 This is interesting, isn't it? 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:24.120 Because the preacher has just spent probably a chapter and a half warning about the love of money. 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:29.000 But this preacher knows life doesn't exist in black and white. 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:32.040 So he can say to us, on the one hand, 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:33.859 Don't live for money. 00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:38.159 You're not going to find gain if you make money into your God, into your idol. 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:40.559 But he can say money provides shelter. 00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:41.559 Of course it does. 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:44.240 We need money for our security. 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:45.420 It provides for us. 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:47.319 It provides for our family. 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:52.019 But the thing of it is, I guess, many in the world stop there. 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:55.579 Working to earn, working to provide, 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:59.819 trading and investing for property and prosperity and security. 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:04.579 It does offer a measure of shelter. 00:27:06.379 --> 00:27:08.000 But it is not a savior. 00:27:09.879 --> 00:27:14.980 And especially as we consider all he's taught about the reality of death. 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:19.899 We understand that to build on money, 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:21.980 and Jesus would say the same. 00:27:22.060 --> 00:27:23.640 It's like building on a house of sand. 00:27:24.360 --> 00:27:27.780 It will not stand in the judgment. 00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:30.100 That's why he says in verse 12, 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:32.360 Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter. 00:27:33.320 --> 00:27:35.140 But the advantage of knowledge is this. 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:38.980 Wisdom preserves those who have it. 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:42.620 God's wisdom is that good inheritance. 00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:44.820 It is that shelter that preserves. 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:48.200 It protects us in life and beyond our death. 00:27:50.399 --> 00:27:55.419 So living with God's wisdom, the preacher concludes, 00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:58.579 is the way to get through difficult times, 00:27:58.639 --> 00:28:02.240 is to find shelter in the storm. 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:06.920 And from our vantage point, 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:11.019 there are certain things that the preacher could not know that we know. 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:16.059 That we live since the coming of Jesus. 00:28:16.359 --> 00:28:19.140 We come since his death and resurrection. 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:23.720 And so wisdom trusts in Jesus, 00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:27.720 who is described as the wisdom of God. 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:30.079 1 Corinthians 1 verse 30, 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:33.140 Jesus has become for us wisdom from God. 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:35.680 That is our righteousness, 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.600 our holiness, 00:28:38.360 --> 00:28:39.539 our redemption, 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:41.480 our standing, 00:28:41.620 --> 00:28:43.180 our eternal standing, 00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:46.100 our welcome from God 00:28:46.100 --> 00:28:49.240 depends on the Lord Jesus. 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:53.319 And wisdom trusts in him. 00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:55.740 The one who said in John 11, 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:57.980 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:28:58.559 --> 00:29:00.460 Whoever believes in me will live 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:02.940 even though they die. 00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:06.900 So by way of conclusion, 00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:09.160 what has the preacher been telling us? 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.960 He's been telling us that wisdom 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:13.880 lives through uncertainty, 00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:16.980 knowing life is under the rule of God. 00:29:18.819 --> 00:29:22.000 Verse 13 and 14 is a good summary. 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:26.400 He makes plain life is in God's hands. 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:29.240 We can trust God. 00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:32.539 Life is uncertain to us on the other hand. 00:29:32.839 --> 00:29:34.099 Therefore, what should we do? 00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:36.359 Verse 14, 00:29:36.420 --> 00:29:37.380 when times are good, 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.740 be happy. 00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:43.900 Enjoy the good gifts that God gives. 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:46.400 Enjoy food and drink. 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:48.519 Enjoy our work and our rest 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:50.139 and our family and our friends. 00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:52.980 Enjoy this world that God has made. 00:29:53.619 --> 00:29:56.379 And when times are bad, 00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:57.480 consider this. 00:29:57.920 --> 00:30:00.460 God has made the one as well as the other. 00:30:01.879 --> 00:30:04.599 When we know that we can trust God, 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:07.660 the preacher has come to discover 00:30:07.660 --> 00:30:09.420 we can seek for the good 00:30:09.420 --> 00:30:11.900 even in bad times. 00:30:11.900 --> 00:30:16.420 I've been following a blog called 00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:17.759 30 Days of Hope 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:20.600 by a former pastor called 00:30:20.600 --> 00:30:22.200 John Onwuchekwa. 00:30:23.800 --> 00:30:24.740 And most of the blog, 00:30:24.860 --> 00:30:25.100 honestly, 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:27.800 is reflections on his own personal grief 00:30:27.800 --> 00:30:29.400 and coming to discover, 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.580 after many years, 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:32.360 hope and joy through pain. 00:30:32.860 --> 00:30:34.780 And I discovered he'd recently brought out 00:30:34.780 --> 00:30:37.540 a new book called We Go On. 00:30:37.580 --> 00:30:39.300 And so I decided to find out 00:30:39.300 --> 00:30:40.440 more about what it was about. 00:30:40.440 --> 00:30:43.180 And one review caught my attention. 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:43.600 So this book, 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.420 We Go On, 00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:45.960 is very much grounded 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:47.740 in the book of Ecclesiastes. 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:48.640 I suspect it's going to be 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:50.080 a very helpful book. 00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:52.860 Well, one reviewer said this. 00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:53.320 He said, 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:55.200 after I finished the book, 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:58.500 I sang a hymn to my young son 00:30:58.500 --> 00:31:00.840 and I danced with my dog. 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:03.200 That's it. 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:05.059 That's wisdom. 00:31:05.840 --> 00:31:07.279 Not necessarily the dog part. 00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:10.379 But when we trust in Jesus, 00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:13.599 we know that we have security. 00:31:13.879 --> 00:31:15.500 We know that we have hope. 00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:16.799 Therefore, we can enjoy 00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:18.740 the good things of life. 00:31:19.079 --> 00:31:20.859 And we can trust our God 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:22.859 in the difficult days of life. 00:31:23.160 --> 00:31:24.279 There is always, 00:31:24.799 --> 00:31:26.000 our preacher says to us, 00:31:26.099 --> 00:31:27.960 good to enjoy in life, 00:31:28.299 --> 00:31:31.319 even in the hard times, 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:34.339 because we have the love of God 00:31:34.339 --> 00:31:35.959 in Christ Jesus. 00:31:36.659 --> 00:31:37.879 I'm going to go back 00:31:37.879 --> 00:31:40.720 and finish where we began 00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:41.639 our service, 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.779 or almost began it, 00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:45.559 in chapter 8 of the book of Romans 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:47.899 and verse 37. 00:31:48.679 --> 00:31:50.000 In all these things, 00:31:50.079 --> 00:31:51.939 we are more than conquerors 00:31:51.939 --> 00:31:54.319 through Him who loved us. 00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:57.039 For I am convinced 00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:59.299 that neither death nor life, 00:32:00.179 --> 00:32:01.740 neither angels nor demons, 00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:04.420 neither the present nor the future, 00:32:04.599 --> 00:32:05.880 nor any powers, 00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:07.240 neither height nor depth, 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:09.259 nor anything else 00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:10.259 in all creation, 00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:12.700 will be able to separate us 00:32:12.700 --> 00:32:14.319 from the love of God 00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:16.660 that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:19.079 Let's pray once again. 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:23.880 Father God, 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:25.920 we thank You for the wisdom 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:26.640 that we find 00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:28.220 in the book of Ecclesiastes. 00:32:28.220 --> 00:32:31.160 And we pray that as we reflect, 00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:32.200 You would give us wisdom 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:34.240 to apply His lessons 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:35.100 to our lives. 00:32:36.180 --> 00:32:37.380 Help us to understand 00:32:37.380 --> 00:32:39.519 that You are our Creator, 00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:42.279 and that You are our King, 00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:44.940 that nothing is hidden from You, 00:32:46.140 --> 00:32:47.539 and that we can trust You, 00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:50.160 even when we are confused, 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:51.680 even when we are struggling, 00:32:51.880 --> 00:32:53.400 even through the doubts 00:32:53.400 --> 00:32:54.460 and the difficulties. 00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:57.400 Lord, help us 00:32:57.400 --> 00:32:58.440 to know 00:32:58.440 --> 00:32:59.799 what it looks like 00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:01.220 to live wisely, 00:33:01.960 --> 00:33:03.220 to live wisely 00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:05.200 in the light of our own death, 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:06.180 that we would be ready 00:33:06.180 --> 00:33:07.100 to meet with You, 00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:08.140 that our priorities 00:33:08.140 --> 00:33:09.940 would be right 00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:11.039 day by day. 00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:13.279 Help us to live wisely 00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:16.079 in not living for money. 00:33:17.360 --> 00:33:18.819 Help us to live wisely 00:33:18.819 --> 00:33:20.880 by practicing patience 00:33:20.880 --> 00:33:22.880 in our own lives 00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:25.040 and with the people around us. 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:28.200 And help us to understand 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:29.880 the security that is found 00:33:29.880 --> 00:33:31.400 in You and with 00:33:31.400 --> 00:33:32.980 our Lord Jesus, 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:35.820 and the love that You have shown to us, 00:33:36.520 --> 00:33:37.580 so that we might be able 00:33:37.580 --> 00:33:39.660 to receive well from Your hand 00:33:39.660 --> 00:33:41.480 whatever You choose 00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:42.420 to give to us. 00:33:43.040 --> 00:33:44.260 Help us to enjoy 00:33:44.260 --> 00:33:46.240 the good things of life, 00:33:46.820 --> 00:33:47.740 and there are many, 00:33:47.940 --> 00:33:49.200 and we thank You for them. 00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:51.340 And help us to be able 00:33:51.340 --> 00:33:52.539 to receive wisely 00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:53.200 and humbly 00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:54.940 the difficult things, 00:33:55.660 --> 00:33:57.140 seeking to know 00:33:57.140 --> 00:33:58.680 how to live with faith 00:33:58.680 --> 00:33:59.299 and obedience 00:33:59.299 --> 00:34:00.640 and humble trust, 00:34:01.539 --> 00:34:02.519 even as we walk 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:03.680 through dark valleys 00:34:03.680 --> 00:34:05.299 and the shadows 00:34:05.299 --> 00:34:06.720 are deep and dark. 00:34:07.920 --> 00:34:08.260 So Lord, 00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:08.840 go with us 00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:09.740 and take Your Word 00:34:09.740 --> 00:34:10.579 and plant it deep 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.119 in our hearts, 00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:12.539 we pray in Jesus' name. 00:34:12.800 --> 00:34:13.119 Amen. 00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:15.940 All right, 00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:18.659 let's bring our time together 00:34:18.659 --> 00:34:19.859 to a close, 00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:21.659 singing a hymn 00:34:21.659 --> 00:34:23.440 called Grace, 00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:25.960 and we'll stand together 00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:26.599 to sing. 00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:26.679 Amen. 00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:49.119 Grace that leads the sinner home 00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:53.839 From death to life forever 00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:59.500 And sings the song of righteousness 00:34:59.500 --> 00:35:06.559 Thy blood and not thy merit 00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:12.559 Your grace that reaches far and wide 00:35:12.559 --> 00:35:17.420 To every tribe and nation 00:35:17.420 --> 00:35:24.180 Has called my heart to enter in 00:35:24.180 --> 00:35:29.000 The joy of your salvation 00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:34.820 By grace I am redeemed 00:35:34.820 --> 00:35:39.480 By grace I am restored 00:35:39.480 --> 00:35:44.480 And now I freely walk into 00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:49.400 The arms of Christ my Lord 00:35:49.400 --> 00:35:55.640 Grace that I cannot explain 00:35:55.639 --> 00:36:01.299 Not bad by earthly wisdom 00:36:01.299 --> 00:36:07.619 The prince of life without a stain 00:36:07.619 --> 00:36:12.799 Was traded for this sinner 00:36:12.799 --> 00:36:18.799 By grace I am redeemed 00:36:18.800 --> 00:36:22.460 By grace I am restored 00:36:22.460 --> 00:36:28.460 And now I freely walk into 00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:33.460 The arms of Christ my Lord 00:36:33.460 --> 00:36:38.460 Let praise rise up and overflow 00:36:38.460 --> 00:36:44.119 My song resound forever 00:36:44.119 --> 00:36:49.679 For grace will see me 00:36:49.679 --> 00:36:57.340 Welcome to walk beside my Savior 00:36:57.340 --> 00:37:03.000 By grace I am redeemed 00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:07.000 By grace I am restored 00:37:07.000 --> 00:37:13.160 And now I freely walk into 00:37:13.160 --> 00:37:18.160 The arms of Christ my Lord 00:37:18.159 --> 00:37:33.159 And now I freely walk into 00:37:33.159 --> 00:37:38.699 The arms of Christ my Lord 00:37:38.699 --> 00:38:08.679 And now I freely walk into