In The Word
Read: Ecclesiastes 3:1-4:8
3 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven—
2 A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
5 A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
6 A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.
9 What benefit is there for the worker from that in which he labors?10 I have seen the task which God has given the sons of mankind with which to occupy themselves.
God Set Eternity in the Heart of Mankind
11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, without the possibility that mankind will find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.
12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; 13 moreover, that every person who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—this is the gift of God.14 I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it. And God has so worked, that people will fear Him. 15 That which is, is what has already been, and that which will be has already been; and God seeks what has passed by.
16 Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness. 17 I said to myself, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked,” for a time for every matter and for every deed is there.18 I said to myself regarding the sons of mankind, “God is testing them in order for them to see that they are as animals, they to themselves.” 19 For the fate of the sons of mankind and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath, and there is no advantage for mankind over animals, for all is futility. 20 All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust. 21 Who knows that the spirit of the sons of mankind ascends upward and the spirit of the animal descends downward to the earth? 22 I have seen that nothing is better than when a person is happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?
The Evils of Oppression
4 Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold, I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and power was on the side of their oppressors, but they had no one to comfort them. 2 So I congratulated the dead who are already dead, more than the living who are still living. 3 But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.
4 I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a person and his neighbor. This too is futility and striving after wind. 5 The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. 6 One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.
7 Then I looked again at futility under the sun. 8 There was a man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches, and he never asked, “And for whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?” This too is futility, and it is an unhappy task.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
After looking back at his life and realizing that he had pursued empty treasures, Solomon brought God into the picture, and his perspective changed. He saw three things that God intended for a person’s life. First, life is a gift from God. Solomon had focused on the routines and struggles of daily life on earth “under the sun” and didn’t find satisfaction until he saw that God had given him life. When we see life as a gift from God and thank Him for it, we will have a right attitude, even toward struggles that come our way.
Second, Solomon discovered that man was created by God for an eternal purpose. God gave us life, so we should set our minds on God’s plan. Our achievements on earth were not meant to bring satisfaction, but rather to accomplish God’s perfect will which brings true fulfillment. This led to Solomon’s third discovery that life can be enjoyable. We are not meant to pursue happiness; instead, we should work hard using the gifts God has given us and enjoy the fruits of our labor that God provides. When we live for God and let Him have His way, life is meaningful and manageable. Rather than complaining about what we don’t have, we should be content and thankful to God for what we do have.
Life has meaning, peace, and enjoyment when you discover God has made you a part of His eternal plan! God is in control, so get on His Ancient Path.