ESOCS Devotional 24 December
TEXT: ECCLESIASTES 1:1-10
MEMORY VERSE: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV
The book of 1 Cor. 7:31 states: “And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.” Also, 2 Peter3:10 talks about the heavens passing away and the elements melting with fervent heat, while the earth and all that are therein shall be burnt up.
The author of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon, in all his wisdom was not able to find meaning in all of life. He could not discover any pattern that made real sense. All he could find is that God was a mystery, and that death would eventually strike everyone. Ecclesiastes is also full of affirmation that good will always be rewarded, while evil shall without fail be judged.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
As a great poet, and playing upon the word vanity, King Solomon affirms that life on earth outside God is meaningless. To him, all that constitutes life is as a vapour or breath – if it is either consumed or enjoyed outside God. All that is of this world will pass away. He could not find profit in anything, as all is vanity to the one who labours and acquires riches and fame for the sole purpose of seeking pleasure in life (Eccl. 1:3; Matt. 16:26). It follows therefore that, if one’s life is simply for pleasure and fame, then, he would eventually come to the point that all is meaningless. All is vanity except one puts God first. The difference between the believer and the materialist is in their diverse orientation towards life. While the believer stores up good works, the materialist builds monuments of his achievements. The works of the believer are not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58), for “blessed are the dead which die in the Lord … for their works do follow them” (Rev. 14:13).
CHALLENGES
Is life meaningful really without God? Justify your answer from scripture.
PRAYER POINT
Lord, now I know that all is vanity; help me to strive in making sense of my world.
FURTHER READING: Ecclesiastes 2:12-26; Luke 3:1-6; 3:7-15
Thank you for reading the ESOCS Devotional today. Please share and follow us on all our platforms to contribute to the spread of the Gospel.
ESOCS Devotional 24 December
