Devotional

“So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish?Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless. A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 2:17-26

This life is meaningless, a sad but true statement from a man who had everything. All of his pursuits ended in vain. He can take nothing of what he had built up over his lifetime with him when he passes away. His concern was justified as Solomon’s son was the recipient of the fruit of the toil, and it resulted in the fall of Israel. Our typical life consists of working for someone laboring 40 hours a week, 50 weeks a year, saving up for a 2 week vacation, and we repeat the process over and over. We attempt to catch pleasure in the toil because treasures on earth eventually get passed on to someone else. If a person has no relationship with God, this is as good as it gets.

A life with Jesus, however, allows to multiply pleasure and accomplishment by serving Him for His Kingdom cause. Not only will you invest in relationships, you will experience the hand of God in your life. You build up character along with memories that can be taken with you into heaven. Labor and toil is but a foundation of maintaining life. We are promised things in heaven that no one can imagine. That is the assurance God has gifted us with when we accepted His invitation to spend eternity with Him. How blessed it is to know Jesus. It kind of makes you want to share this free gift with others, eh?

Prayer

Jesus, your words echo deep in my heart, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” As I ponder their meaning, I am filled with despair at the idea of ever living a life apart from you. You give all things meaning and purpose. Without you, all things truly are meaningless. Holy Spirit, remain in me as I remain in you and empower me to share a purpose-filled life with all who cross my path. May they encounter you in me.

Scripture Memorization

 1 Peter 1:24-25 “For, ‘All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.’ And this is the word that was preached to you.”

Photo Credit: Bill Zielinski @zphotobc

Music Credit: Meaningless – Jonathan and Emily Martin

Devotional Written by: Sambi Katano

Prayer: Pastor Deborah Downs