Finding Hope Amidst Injustice and Human Depravity

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God's Justice in a Corrupt World

In a world filled with evil and corruption, it is easy to question God's power and love. King Solomon's frustration with injustice mirrors our own experiences, as we often see the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. However, we are reminded that God will ultimately judge the wicked and right the wrongs in His time. This eternal perspective helps us navigate the challenges of living in a fallen world. By trusting in God's justice, we can find peace and hope, knowing that He sees all and will act according to His perfect timing. [28:14]

Ecclesiastes 3:17 (ESV): "I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you have witnessed or experienced injustice. How can you trust God to bring justice in His time, and what steps can you take to find peace in the meantime?

Day 2: Understanding Our Eternal Destiny

Solomon highlights the depravity of humanity and our shared physical destiny with animals—returning to dust. However, there is a crucial distinction: the spirit of man goes upward, signifying an eternal destiny. This understanding encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our lives have meaning beyond the physical realm. By focusing on our eternal destiny, we can find purpose and hope, even in the face of life's challenges and uncertainties. [31:36]

Ecclesiastes 12:7 (ESV): "And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it."

Reflection: How does knowing that your spirit has an eternal destiny with God change the way you view your daily life and decisions? What specific actions can you take to live with an eternal perspective today?

Day 3: Embracing God's Grace

While we often demand immediate justice, we must remember that God's grace has spared us from the justice we deserve. The cross is the ultimate example of this grace, where Jesus took on our sins and offered us salvation. This grace should inspire us to extend forgiveness and compassion to others. By embracing God's grace, we can let go of our desire for immediate retribution and instead focus on loving and forgiving those around us. [41:03]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who has wronged you. How can you extend God's grace and forgiveness to them today, just as He has extended grace to you?

Day 4: Trusting in God's Sovereignty

Believing in a sovereign God who controls all seasons and times allows us to rest and find joy in our lives. We can trust that God is not bound by our time and will fulfill His promises, including bringing justice. This trust enables us to live confidently and share our faith with others. By trusting in God's sovereignty, we can let go of our anxieties and embrace the peace that comes from knowing He is in control. [54:46]

Daniel 2:21 (ESV): "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's sovereignty? How can you surrender this area to Him and find peace in His control?

Day 5: Living with Eternal Hope

Despite the presence of sin and corruption, we can find delight in our work and the good gifts God provides. Our hope is not just in this world but in the eternal life promised through Jesus Christ. This hope allows us to live joyfully and purposefully, knowing that God is in control and will ultimately bring about His perfect plan. By focusing on our eternal hope, we can navigate life's challenges with a sense of joy and purpose. [57:26]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: How does the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ influence your daily attitude and actions? What specific steps can you take to live with more joy and purpose today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Welcome to Shaw's Creek Baptist Church! Today, we celebrated birthdays and anniversaries, prayed together, and prepared for upcoming events like Serve NC and a baptism at the Davidson River. We also discussed the importance of giving and supporting our community, especially through a benefit for Chad and Kimberly Jones.

Our main focus was on Ecclesiastes 3:16-22, exploring the theme of "Hope in the Midst of Injustice." We acknowledged the presence of evil and corruption in the world, which often leads people to question God's power and love. King Solomon's frustration with injustice reflects our own experiences, as we see the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. However, we are reminded that God will ultimately judge the wicked and right the wrongs in His time.

We also discussed the depravity of humanity and the physical destiny we share with animals—returning to dust. Yet, there is a distinction: the spirit of man goes upward, signifying an eternal destiny. This eternal perspective gives us hope and allows us to find joy in our labor and the good gifts God provides, even in a world tainted by sin.

In conclusion, we are called to trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He will fulfill His promises and bring justice. This trust allows us to live with confidence, share our faith, and enjoy the blessings God has given us.

###

Key Takeaways

1. The Reality of Injustice: In a world filled with evil and corruption, it's easy to question God's power and love. King Solomon's frustration with injustice mirrors our own experiences, but we are reminded that God will ultimately judge the wicked and right the wrongs in His time. This eternal perspective helps us navigate the challenges of living in a fallen world. [28:14]
2. Human Depravity and Destiny: Solomon highlights the depravity of humanity and our shared physical destiny with animals—returning to dust. However, there is a crucial distinction: the spirit of man goes upward, signifying an eternal destiny. This understanding encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our lives have meaning beyond the physical realm. [31:36]
3. The Importance of Grace: While we often demand immediate justice, we must remember that God's grace has spared us from the justice we deserve. The cross is the ultimate example of this grace, where Jesus took on our sins and offered us salvation. This grace should inspire us to extend forgiveness and compassion to others. [41:03]
4. Trusting in God's Sovereignty: Believing in a sovereign God who controls all seasons and times allows us to rest and find joy in our lives. We can trust that God is not bound by our time and will fulfill His promises, including bringing justice. This trust enables us to live confidently and share our faith with others. [54:46]
5. Living with Eternal Hope: Despite the presence of sin and corruption, we can find delight in our work and the good gifts God provides. Our hope is not just in this world but in the eternal life promised through Jesus Christ. This hope allows us to live joyfully and purposefully, knowing that God is in control and will ultimately bring about His perfect plan. [57:26]
### [57:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:41] - Celebrating Birthdays and Anniversaries
[10:39] - Children's Church and Hymn
[13:57] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[20:06] - Offering and Worship
[26:09] - Opening Prayer and Scripture Reading
[27:18] - Introduction: Hope in the Midst of Injustice
[28:14] - The Reality of Injustice
[31:36] - Human Depravity and Destiny
[39:08] - God's Timing for Justice
[41:03] - The Importance of Grace
[46:21] - Eternal Perspective on Life and Death
[54:46] - Trusting in God's Sovereignty
[57:26] - Living with Eternal Hope
[63:07] - Application: Choosing Joy
[64:21] - Closing Prayer and Doxology
[66:09] - Final Announcement and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does King Solomon observe about the presence of wickedness and righteousness in places of judgment? ([28:14])
According to Ecclesiastes 3:20, what is the shared physical destiny of humans and animals?
How does Solomon describe the spirit of man in contrast to the spirit of animals in Ecclesiastes 3:21? ([31:36])
What example of modern-day corruption did the pastor mention to illustrate Solomon's frustration with injustice? ([36:36])

Interpretation Questions

How does the presence of evil and corruption in the world challenge people's perception of God's power and love? ([27:18])
In what ways does the understanding of an eternal destiny for the spirit of man provide hope in the midst of injustice? ([31:36])
How does the concept of God's grace, as demonstrated by the cross, influence our perspective on demanding immediate justice? ([41:03])
What does it mean to trust in God's sovereignty, and how does this trust impact our daily lives and interactions with others? ([54:46])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt frustrated by injustice. How did you respond, and how might an eternal perspective have changed your reaction? ([28:14])
Considering the shared physical destiny of humans and animals, how does the belief in an eternal destiny for the spirit of man affect your daily decisions and priorities? ([31:36])
How can you extend grace and forgiveness to others, remembering that God's grace has spared you from the justice you deserve? ([41:03])
In what specific ways can you demonstrate trust in God's sovereignty during challenging times? Share a recent experience where you had to rely on this trust. ([54:46])
Identify one area of your life where you struggle to find joy due to the presence of sin and corruption. How can you shift your focus to the good gifts God provides and find delight in your labor? ([57:26])
How can you actively share your faith and the hope of eternal life with someone who is struggling with the reality of injustice and corruption in the world? ([57:26])
Think of a specific situation where you have been demanding immediate justice. How can you practice patience and trust in God's timing for justice instead? ([39:08])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Maybe you've thought about tangible ways to serve Jesus and you've never done it. Maybe you've wanted to for so long, but you just don't know how to get into the game, quote-unquote. This is a perfect opportunity where we can go and we can love as the hands and feet of Jesus and we can minister." [14:49] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God will right the wrongs in His time and in His way. The day of the Lord will happen when the true, just judge punishes the wicked. It will take place. Last week, we looked at verses 1 through 15 in Ecclesiastes chapter 3 and we saw that God has purposeful seasons for everything." [39:08] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Praise God that he would say I've made a home for you for all of eternity in which there is no sin there is no sickness there is no death there is no destruction there is no bad relationships there is nothing. It is perfect it is bliss it is joy and it is filled with worship and we get to go there by the blood of the lamb that was slain on Calvary's tree and we get to experience that." [51:49] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "This is why the message of the Gospel is so important. Because sin is bad. Because God is good. Because Jesus is the way. Because people are lost. Because hell is hot. And because the Gospel saves. That is why." [48:55] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If you don't there are two destinations for the Christian one heaven and one hell. Please, please, please I beg of you. If you're sitting here today if you're standing here today if you're just thinking about this today if you've never made it right with God if you know him only as a character in the Bible but you don't know him personally and you've never experienced his love grace and forgiveness personally please don't leave here this morning." [53:00] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "When we point one finger at someone else, there's what, three fingers pointing back at us? And that's why we need to take the plank out of our hands, out of our own eye, to remove the speck out of the others. Because while we're yelling for justice, we have forgotten that we were not giving the true justice that we should have been given. And in the place of justice, we were given grace." [41:03] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We can delight in the work in the labor in the good gifts that God gives us here on planet earth. We can. Why can we enjoy this? If it is really that bad and if sin is really that rampant and if there really is that much corruption if we really are going to die just like the beasts of the field how in the world can you and I enjoy this life? Because just as we looked at verse 1 through 15 and we saw that seasons and times are used in the hand of a sovereign God that seasons and times are not chaotic but calculated." [54:10] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We get to lay our heads at night on the pillow knowing that our world is not spinning into chaos but that God has got this. And we get to enjoy our families we get to enjoy our relationships we get to enjoy our faith we get to enjoy our work we get to enjoy all of that with this rest we have utter confidence that God is doing just what he says he's doing in his word. That is how you and I as Christians can live in a world that is filled with sin because we know that God is still in control." [55:21] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And so based upon that I know that the day of the Lord is coming where he will judge the righteous and the wicked I know that God gets the last laugh I have read the last page of the book and if you are a Christian it ends well for us and so what do we do up until that point we rest we enjoy we share our faith with others we make disciples we be part of the local church do all that and we don't do it with hands that are going back and forth and pacing the floor we do it knowing that God the author and the finisher of our faith that is why and that is how we do it." [57:54] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "When I look at the Gospel of Jesus Christ and when I think about the cross imagine for just a moment that this perfect, beautiful, wonderful Savior the Savior that we've sung about all morning would give his life on Calvary's tree. Did he do it for himself? No. He did it for you and for me. So we could experience this afterlife that this world is turning away from and saying there's not one." [50:02] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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