R³ Devotional - Day 171

Ecclesiastes 7 is a call to sober reflection, embracing the realities of life, both good and bad, with wisdom and a God-centered perspective. It challenges us to build a good reputation, learn from sorrow, exercise patience, avoid extremes, and acknowledge our own imperfections, ultimately recognizing that true meaning and peace are found in fearing God.
We will walk through verses 15-22.

Real life principles with Relevant life Applications.
 There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing: This is a stark observation of the apparent injustices in the world, where so call good people suffer and wicked people prosper. It challenges our simplistic notions of immediate divine retribution and points to a deeper reality God does what is just to exercise His will for them however he chooses.

  Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time? This encourages a balanced approach, avoiding extremes of self-righteousness in the name of obeying God (which can lead to pride and judgment) and excessive wickedness in the name of christian liberties (which leads to ruin). It's about practical wisdom and humility.

 Whoever fears God shall come out of them all: Ultimately, the fear of God is the guiding principle that helps one navigate the complexities and paradoxes of life, avoiding harmful extremes. A healthy high respect to God everywhere we are.

  Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you: This is a practical piece of advice about not being overly sensitive to every criticism or negative comment. Stop being thin skinned. People often speak carelessly with no regard to what they are saying. Don’t overthink your conversations, give people the benefit of the doubt. Give grace even to those that are rude

Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins: This profound statement acknowledges the universal reality of human sinfulness. It underscores the fact that no one is perfect, and we should therefore be gracious and understanding towards others, as we ourselves fall short.

Ready: Action steps.
 
Obey the Lord.
Seek His wisdom.
Seek His strength.