A Life Well Lived

187 Pages·2010·1.04 MB·English

by  Nelson, Tommy

“Tommy offered me the privilege of reading the manuscript of this book shortly
after I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. In my sorrow and pain, I
was struggling to accept what was happening in my life. Tommy's insight of
Ecclesiastes and the wisdom of Solomon is clearly, thoroughly, and perfectly
explained. His ability to teach the truth of God's Word displays a deep
understanding of God's attributes and the need in man's heart. The book has
given me peace and comfort. God's sovereign plan is always for our ultimate
good.”

— Sondra McMinn — The first person to read this book because of her
circumstances … fighting cancer. Again.

“I think this book should be required reading for everyone, especially young
adults at the beginning of their lives! All of us, even as Christians, sometimes
find ourselves feeling disappointed and disillusioned with life and wondering
why things happen the way they do. We strive to find meaning and purpose to
our lives, especially in the midst of adversity. This is a book that brings the truth
of God's Word alive in a way that helps us discover the true purpose in life, to
live as we ought to live, to draw us closer to God, and to rest in His sovereignty
over all things. Thanks, Tom, for bringing this message in a way we can all
understand!”

— Eunice Fisher — A woman who, all by the age of fifty, lost her first husband
to divorce and her second husband to unexpected death, and whose third
husband now battles Alzheimer's.
Dedication
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To God the Father Almighty, “in whose light we see light,” who through His
saving mercy made life make sense and yield its delights.

To Teresa,
the wife of my youth, whose love and constant fidelity has been my joy from
the day I met her.

To my father and mother, who made my growing years the absolute magic that
youth was meant to be.

To the late Howard and Jeanne Tomlinson, who showed me how to live this
book long before I wrote it.
May they rest in peace.

To the saints of Denton Bible Church.
No pastor has borne a sweeter yoke.

AND

To every nook and cranny and cross-street, vacant lot, baseball field,
schoolyard, and buddy in walking distance of 3116 Wenz Street in Waco, Texas
—the blessed briar patch of this brer rabbit that filled my memory with the joy
of boyhood.
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1-The Question of the Ages / Ecclesiastes 1:1-18
Chapter 2-A King's Quest for Meaning / Ecclesiastes 2:1-26
Chapter 3-The Problem with God / Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
Chapter 4-Living in an Insane World / Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:16
Chapter 5-A Proper View of Tough Times / Ecclesiastes 5:1-6:12
Chapter 6-When Bad Is Better / Ecclesiastes 7:1-14
Chapter 7-Holiness and Humility / Ecclesiastes 7:15-29
Chapter 8-Poise in Life / Ecclesiastes 8:1-9:1
Chapter 9-Navigating Life's Winding Road / Ecclesiastes 9:2-18
Chapter 10-The Excellence of Wisdom / Ecclesiastes 10:1-20
Chapter 11-Enjoying Life with Contentions / Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:8
Chapter 12-Nails, Goads, and Glory / Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
Epilogue-Jesus Completely Lives Out the Wisdom of Solomon
Foreword
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Why are we here? Does the Bible answer our most pressing, personal, and
painful questions? I believe the answer is yes, and so does Tommy Nelson. A
Life Well Lived is a straightforward and insightful look into the Book of
Ecclesiastes.
Everyone of us has struggled with the deep questions of life—an untimely
death, illness, loss of a job, financial problems, marital problems—all of the
questions that cause us to be anxious and many times discouraged in life. This
book tells the story of perhaps the only man ever to have everything the world
can offer—money, wisdom, and pleasure—and he came to the conclusion that
those things cannot satisfy. In this book, Tommy Nelson helps us understand the
Bible and how it answers these most personal and pressing questions. It also
shows us God's design for our lives.
Perhaps the greatest of all acquisitions is a godly perspective of living—to
understand the purpose, meaning, and joy of our existence. This book has done
that for me, and I know it can do that for you.

— Dr. Anthony Evans — President, The Urban Alternative Senior Pastor, Oak
Cliff Bible Fellowship
Acknowledgments
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Much thanks goes to David Delk, whose skills in writing made this book
possible. Also, to Gary Terashita and his confidence and energies in bringing it
to light. Thanks to Doug Hudson, who has teamed with me since 1993 to bring
God's Word to many hearts through many means. Most of all, to a man I have
never met, but whose skill at Bible exposition opened the key to the Book of
Ecclesiastes. Thank you, Walt Kaiser.
Introduction
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Does the Bible Have Answers
for Life's Toughest Questions?
The Book of Ecclesiastes is amazing. It answers some of the most troubling
questions we face as men and women.
Where is God when bad things happen?
How can I keep from becoming bitter toward God?
How do I deal with the uncertainty of life?
What do I do when I'm not sure of God's will?
When bad things happen, is it because I don't have enough faith?
Are Christians supposed to have fun?
If you're like me, these questions make you lie awake at night.
As a pastor, most of the heartfelt questions I get asked have to do with what
is called the problem of evil: If God is sovereign, He is powerful enough to
eliminate evil. If He is good, He would. Since evil clearly exists, God must not
be sovereign or He must not be good.
At no point in the history of our country has this question become more real.
I finished this book in the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001. On
that day a predator emerged from the jungle like we have never seen before.
Germany in the 1940s industrialized genocide and practiced it on a huge
scale. The world responded and defeated this evil. On September 11, 2001, we
saw terrorism emerge as an industry. This was the organized and purposeful
killing of civilians to create terror. And it was on a scale that dwarfs anything
that has come before. Now the world must rise up to stop this evil.
Even so, the specter of September 11 rises like a dark cloud over a God who