ESOCS Devotional 26 December
TEXT: ECCLESIASTES 1:1-10
MEMORY VERSE: “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do; and behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:11 KJV
In our text today, the writer tried to achieve pleasure by going all out to look for the good things of this life. He ventured into a variety of pursuits such as education, pleasure, extra hard work, abundant acquisition of material possessions – all to no avail. His continual inquiry only led him to “keep seeing”, to “keep testing”, to “keep discovering and reflecting” without any meaningful conclusion. He would not rest until he discovered the purpose of life, which was never to be. All his investigations ended in futility and frustration.
Many people have tried to party throughout life, in order to be happy. They got themselves entangled with drunken parties, which only led them to greater misery the day following. Drug abuse only encouraged the addict to continue in a life of living in bondage. Lavish entertainments and drug abuse only serve as occasional diversions from reality. True happiness can only come when a man transcends the things of this world, and with one’s mind set on those things that are above (Col. 3:1-2).
The problem with seeking happiness through self-centred activities is that no one can be truly happy by focusing on oneself. A major source of true and lasting happiness comes through giving oneself to others (John 13:12-17), and also giving oneself to the things of God (Ps. 122:1)
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
CHALLENGES
Seek ye first not earthly pleasure, for life (without Christ) is vanity (Eccl. 2:17).
PRAYER POINT
Lord, now I know that acquiring the whole world without Christ is vain, give me the grace to follow aright. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Ecclesiastes 3:14-22; Luke 3:16-22; 3:23-38
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ESOCS Devotional 26 December
