Category: Ecclesiastes Devotionals

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Ecclesiastes Devotionals

The ultimate answer

Ecclesiastes

“This world so broken? If God is good, why do we see so much evil?”

”What is the meaning to life?”

If you wanted to sum up the two main themes of this book, those would be it.

And they are questions that people ask to this day.

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived aside from Jesus, said concerning these questions:

But beyond these (the wise words of our Shepherd), my son, be warned: there is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body. (Ecclesiastes 12:12)

How many books are out there trying to explain evil? How many philosophy and self-help books are out there trying to give people a better life, to give them meaning?

All those books may have some truth in them. Some can even prod us in good directions. For all true wisdom is from God (11), and by his grace, even unbelievers have some grasp of the truth.

But ultimately, all human wisdom fails and proves inadequate apart from God. And it will leave you tired and in despair.

There is only one conclusion that gives life. If we would just believe it, if we would just live it, we could toss out all other books and never miss them.

What is that conclusion?

When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity.

For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil. (13-14)

What is the answer to the problem of evil? Why do “good people” suffer?

Ultimately, these questions are beyond us and our limited minds. And because our minds our limited, we are in no position to question God and his goodness.

Rather, fear him. Because the day will come when he will judge all evil, including yours. And apart from Jesus and his work on the cross, no one will be able to stand before him.

What is the meaning to life? Keep his commands.

What are his commands? Love him. And love others. Everything else in life is ultimately meaningless because they are fleeting.

The only two things that go beyond this earthly life is our relationship with God, and our relationships with others who have put their faith in Jesus.

So let us invest our lives in our relationship with him, and spreading his kingdom. For only in these two things will we ever find meaning in life.

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Ecclesiastes Devotionals

Because life is a breath

Ecclesiastes

One thing to note about the word “vanity” that Solomon has repeated time and again in Ecclesiastes is that it literally means “a breath.” A breath is such a temporary thing, which is why it is often used as a metaphor for “vanity.”

Throughout the Bible, life is often described as a breath. Our time here on earth is short. There is so much that is uncertain in life.

We don’t know what disasters may befall us. We can plan for different contingencies and it is wise to do so because we don’t know what will happen in the future. (Ecclesiastes 11:1-6)

But as  I’ve mentioned before, death eventually comes for us all.

So what do we do with that knowledge?

1. Rejoice in the gift of life God has given us. He has given us so much that we can rejoice in. (7-9)

2. Remember that we are in a broken world. And so it doesn’t matter how righteous you are, bad things will happen to us. (8b)

3. Remember that whether good or bad, all things in this life are fleeting.

So when evil things happen on this earth, remember that they are temporary. They won’t last forever.

That’s important for everyone to remember, but especially for those who are young. Too often young people waste their best years because they think their sorrows will never end. (10)

On the other hand, when good things happen earth, enjoy them, thank God for them, but remember that good times too are fleeting, and that we will see trouble in our lives again.

4. But most importantly, remember that our life here on earth is preparation for eternity. And the day will come when God will judge us all. (9b)

We can waste a lot of time with things that are merely temporary. We can put our hope in a lot of things that cannot deliver. So let us instead turn our eyes on God and put our hope in him.

So let us pray with David.

LORD, make me aware of my end
and the number of my days
so that I will know how short-lived I am.

In fact, you have made my days just inches long,
and my life span is as nothing to you.
Yes, every human being stands as only a vapor.
Selah

Yes, a person goes about like a mere shadow.
Indeed, they rush around in vain,
gathering possessions
without knowing who will get them.

“Now, Lord, what do I wait for?
My hope is in you. (Psalm 39:4-7)

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Ecclesiastes Devotionals

A natural thing?

Ecclesiastes

“Death is a natural thing. It’s just a part of the cycle of life.”

Have you ever heard that before?

Is it true?

Yes…and no.

In a world broken by sin, it is a natural thing. As Paul said, the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)

But God originally created us as eternal beings. 

If death were truly natural, people wouldn’t fight the thought of death. But as it is, they have to convince themselves that it is a “natural” thing.

Deep down, all people realize what Solomon did: death is evil. (Ecclesiastes 9:3)

And death comes for all people, sometimes more suddenly than we expect. (2, 11-12)

How do we respond to that knowledge? 

We could despair. To rage at the evil that death is. 

We could also waste a lot of our short time here on earth on worthless things like hatred and envy.  

Or we could do as Solomon says and enjoy the gift of life we have been given, fleeting though it may be. We could use the time we have to show love to the people we care about. (6-9) 

We could use our minds and our bodies that God has blessed us with to glorify him in our work, in our leisure, and in everything else we do. (10, Colossians 3:17)

The question, though, is why bother? What’s the point of it all?

The point is that the grave is not the end. 

Jesus said, “Because I live, you will live too.” (John 14:19)

And ultimately,

The righteous, the wise, and their works are in God’s hands. (Ecclesiastes 9:1)

So let us not live in despair because of the prospect of death. Rather, let us sing with Solomon’s father David.

I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure. 

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption. 

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:8-11, ESV)

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Ecclesiastes Devotionals

In a world where we see evil.

Ecclesiastes

I don’t think anyone can deny we live in an evil world. None of us are untouched by it. But how do we deal with evil when we are touched by it?

I think there are three answers we find in this passage.

1. Don’t break your brains trying to find out all the whys for evil in the world.

As I mentioned in my last article, Solomon was the wisest person who ever lived besides Jesus, and he couldn’t figure it out. Neither will you. (Ecclesiastes 8:16-17)

2. Trust that God will bring justice in the end. (12-13)

We may never see justice here on earth. (10-11). But our God is good, and ultimately, the Judge of all the earth will do what is right. (Genesis 18:25)

3. Seek God’s wisdom.

We live in a world where people have the power to hurt others. (9) 

Just because we are Christians doesn’t mean we’ll escape that. So when people hurt you, seek God’s wisdom on how to deal with them.

When do we seek justice? When do we show mercy? When do we simply leave justice in God’s hands? To answer those questions, we need God’s wisdom.

Solomon said, 

…a wise heart knows the right time and procedure. For every activity there is a right time and procedure, even though a person’s troubles are heavy on him. (Ecclesiastes 8:5-6)

4. Choose to rejoice. (15) 

If our focus is always on our troubles, it will suck us into a pit of despair.

But the Lord is near. He is good. So in the midst of our troubles, let us focus on him, and his goodness to us.

And as we lay our burdens before him, let us not forget all the things we have to be thankful for.

As you do, even though you may be touched by evil in this world, you will know God’s peace. (Philippians 4:5-7)

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Ecclesiastes Devotionals

Why is this happening to me?

Ecclesiastes

Let’s be honest. This passage has some difficult things to understand in it. I have read different commentators talk about this passage, and many times, they are saying completely different things.

Take for example,

Don’t be excessively righteous, and don’t be overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

Don’t be excessively wicked, and don’t be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

It is good that you grasp the one and do not let the other slip from your hand. For the one who fears God will end up with both of them. (Ecclesiastes 7:16-18)

What does it mean, “Don’t be excessively righteous”?

And what does it mean, “Don’t be excessively wicked”?

Is Solomon saying that as long as we don’t sin too much, it’s okay to sin from time to time?

Probably not, considering that he talks about the one who “fears God” holding to both truths.

So what does Solomon mean then?

In verse 12, he talks about how wisdom is a protection for us.

But then he says this does not mean that if we are wise, nothing bad will happen to us.

God of course does bless us. But there are times when he allows us to go through trials too. There are times when good people perish. And there are times when bad people prosper. (13-15)

That said, Solomon points out in verse 20 that no one is truly righteous. All of us sin.

So there is no one that can honestly say, “Why is this happening? I’ve never done anything wrong.”

How often, for example, do we point out others’ sins while failing to see we’re guilty of the exact same things? (21-22)

What Solomon probably means then is, “Don’t see yourself as so righteous that you think you should never go through trials or suffering.”

There is no one that righteous.

On the other hand, just because you sometimes see good people suffer and evil people prosper is no reason to start sinning wildly. That will certainly lead to death. (Romans 6:23)

What does it mean not to be overly wise? Solomon probably means that we shouldn’t think we are wise enough to figure out all the reasons for evil in this world.

Solomon was the wisest person who ever lived apart from Jesus and he couldn’t figure it out.

He studied people both men and women. He never did find a woman he could completely figure out. And he didn’t have much more success with men. The only thing he ever did conclude is that we are all people tainted by sin. (23-29)

We can break our brain and potentially destroy our faith trying to figure out all the reasons for evil in the world.

Job’s friends thought they had all the answers. And all they earned for their “wisdom” was God’s rebuke.

So let us avoid both those ways of thinking. Instead, let us humble ourselves before God, trusting he is good, and continuing to follow him no matter what.

And if we do, like Job, we will find out that he is indeed good. (Job 42)

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Ecclesiastes Devotionals

Content, enjoying life, blessing others?

Ecclesiastes

One of the big themes in this chapter is contentment. Solomon writes, 

Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. (Ecclesiastes 6:9)

We cannot enjoy life if we are not content. How often do we fail to enjoy the good things we have because of the things we don’t.

Solomon talks of a man blessed with many children. But because he is discontent, he fails to enjoy his relationship with his kids, and he dies unloved and unburied. (3)

But it is not enough to simply be content.

The man in Jesus’ parable in Luke 12:16-21 was very content. The problem was that he was also very selfish. And because of it, God brought judgment on him.

Perhaps Jesus was thinking of Ecclesiastes 6:2 when he told this story. 

God has called us to be a blessing to others. And as we bless others, we find the truth in Jesus’ words:

It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)

Do you want to enjoy the life God has given you? Then learn to be content. And as God has blessed you, bless others. 

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Ecclesiastes Devotionals

Who we put our hope in

Ecclesiastes

If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.

But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields. (Ecclesiastes 5:8-9, ESV)

I don’t know about you, but I don’t have much faith in politicians, bureaucrats, or judges.

The strange thing is, neither did Solomon. And he was a king.

Of course, not all politicians, bureaucrats, and judges are bad.

Solomon certainly saw the benefit of government. With good government, a country can prosper. (9)

But on the other hand, although there are different levels of government which are supposed to provide a measure of accountability for the officials, there is corruption that creeps into each level.

The result? We sometimes see injustice and unrighteousness within that government and within society.

That’s the result of living in a world broken by sin.

So as Christians, our hope is not to be in government. Of course, government was established by God and is thus a good and necessary thing. But because of sin, it is also an imperfect tool. (Romans 13:1-7)

What is our hope to be in then? I love the words of the late Chuck Colson. He said,

Where is the hope? I meet millions of people who feel demoralized by the decay around us.

The hope that each of us has is not in who governs us, or what laws we pass, or what great things we do as a nation.

Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people. And that’s where our hope is in this country. And that’s where our hope is in life.

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Ecclesiastes Devotionals

Rethinking our priorities

Ecclesiastes

Again, I saw futility under the sun: There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches.

“Who am I struggling for,” he asks, “and depriving myself of good things?” This too is futile and a miserable task.” (Ecclesiastes 4:7-8)

How often do we take a step back and think about our priorities? 

The person Solomon describes here is essentially a workaholic, seeking wealth and financial security.

But in doing so, he has no loving relationships and can’t even enjoy the wealth he has because he’s working so hard. More, he is already rich, but he still can’t seem to find satisfaction in it. 

What are we prioritizing in life? Life is not worth living without God and people around us who love us. 

One person can easily fall. But a cord of three strands, God, you, and those you love, is not easily broken. (12)

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Ecclesiastes Devotionals

The source of our joy

Ecclesiastes

As I noted yesterday, many times Solomon writes as someone who is living without God at the center of his life. Why?

Because for a long time he actually did so. He married foreign wives who led him into idolatry. And while he still worshiped God, his worship was diluted. And with that came a desire to seek joy in his life apart from God. 

That is the problem with many people today. They seek joy apart from God. 

They look for it in pleasure. (Ecclesiastes 2:1)

They look for it in work and in amassing wealth and possessions. (4-9)

They look for it in being smarter and wiser than everyone else. (12-14)

These things may bring joy for a time. But ultimately, without God in your life, they leave you empty and in despair. (1-2, 11, 14-23)

And Solomon realized, “God does want us to enjoy this world he has given us. But we cannot separate the gift from the Giver.” 

So Solomon concludes,

who can eat and who can enjoy life apart from him? For to the person who is pleasing in his sight, he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; (Ecclesiastes 2:25-26)

Let us not waste as much time as Solomon did figuring this out. 

God wants us to enjoy this life he has given us. But we will never find true joy without him.

So let us always place him in the center of our lives. If we do so, not only will we find true joy, but our joy will be complete. (John 15:9-11) 

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Ecclesiastes Devotionals

If God is not at the center…

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes can be a very depressing book. But the key to it can be found in this one expression: “If God is at the center of our lives…”

If God is at the center of our lives, all our work has meaning, because through it, we give glory to him (Colossians 3:17, 23-24).

If work itself is the center of our lives, we will ultimately look back and ask, “What have I really achieved?” (Ecclesiastes 1:3)

If God is at the center of our lives, we can look at creation and stand in wonder at its design and its Creator (Psalm 19:1-6; Psalm 104).

When he’s not, we lose our wonder at what God has created. (Ecclesiastes 1:5-9)

If God is at the center of our lives, each day is a new adventure with Him. His goodness and faithfulness are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

When he’s not, we enter each day with no joy, no expectation of anything good, just trying to make it through another day. (Ecclesiastes 1:8-11)

If God is at the center of our lives, there is always hope. We, in God’s wisdom, see all the things that are broken in this world, and yet we see that what people have broken, God can heal.

Without God, “wisdom” leads to despair. We see our limitations and realize how powerless we are to fix all that is broken in this world. (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18)

So as you read the words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes, always keep in mind the perspective he is expressing when speaking.

At times, he speaks as a man with God at the center of his life. At times, he doesn’t.  

When he doesn’t, and his words seem so pessimistic and discouraging, ask yourself, “How would Solomon’s words be different if he were speaking as a man with God at the center of his life?” 

More importantly, ask yourself, “How would my perspective be different if God were at the center of my life?”

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Ecclesiastes Devotionals

A time for everything

Ecclesiastes

There is a time for everything in life.

The question is, during the hard times, will we rage against God?

Or will we keep trusting God? Will we keep trusting that there is a plan? That this life is not all vanity? That he truly does make everything beautiful in its time?

We know that there is more to this life. But right now, we see the end imperfectly, “like puzzling reflections in a mirror” (I Corinthians 13:12, NLT).

We cannot see what God has done from beginning to end clearly, only what he has revealed.

So in the meantime, do we believe that whatever God does endures forever? That nothing can disrupt his plan?

Will we choose to be joyful and do good as long as we live, fearing God, and taking each day as a gift from him?