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Life without the “God” connection!

Scripture reading for July 14th: Ecclesiastes 1-6

Solomon, the richest and wisest man who ever lived outside of Jesus Christ, decided to try to find meaning in life by pursuing riches, fame, and fortune to the maximum.  The result is this book of Ecclesiastes!   After trying everything, Solomon found no meaning in endless days of toil and the work of man.  (Ecclesiastes 1: 9-11)  He observed that man spent his time working and gathering things and suddenly death took him away.  In a few years or less, no one remembers him or his works!

Solomon tried to find meaning with the pursuit of pleasure and things that brought laughter.  He tried wine and pleasure common to his culture!  He then tried great building projects to find satisfaction in what he had accomplished.  He built houses and planted vineyards and fruit orchards.    His herds and flocks were numerous and his treasury filled with silver and gold.  He hired singers and entertainers and even bought a harem of beautiful women to enjoy as he pleased.  He enjoyed his life under the sun but as he thought about it, it was meaningless!  (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11)

Solomon noted that all his hard work would be left behind when he died and given to someone else who did not work for it. (Ecclesiastes 3:21-23)  His conclusion was that if  man would eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work each day, that was a gift of God.  For without God, we can’t find meaning or enjoyment!  (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25)

“He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Solomon concluded that God had made a time for everything under the sun.  These times are in His hands and man should accept each day with gratitude.  Man has a God-given knowledge of eternity in his heart.  Each knows that he is an eternal being who will be judged by God one day.   This understanding helps bring meaning to all of life!

Take a moment to thank God for revealing eternity and the plans of His heart through Jesus Christ!  In Christ we now have eternity restored in God’s presence!   All our life has purpose and meaning under the Son!