September 4
Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:18; 2 Corinthians 7:8-16; Psalm 48:1-14; Proverbs 22:17-19
Solomon continues in Ecclesiastes by looking at life from a strictly earthly perspective. Viewing life as only our eighty or so years on earth, there are certainly things which are more enjoyable than others. It is better to have a happy marriage than one filled with conflict, it is better to have money than to live in poverty, and it is better to laugh than to cry. Yet a life filled with money, a happy marriage, and lots of laughter but without God, is a life empty of what is most important. Therefore, as we will see at the end of Ecclesiastes, what we ultimately need is God.
Paul points to this same concept in 2 Corinthians 7. When he confronted the church in Corinth in his previous letter with their rampant sin, he challenged them to repent. Hearing this caused sorrow in the church, but sorrow which ultimately led them to seek God. If life is only our material existence, than sorrow has no redeeming value. We should pursue pleasure at all costs. But since we will live forever, we need to embrace sorrow, suffering, hardship, trials, and difficulty in a way that leads us to God. If we live only for the moment, then we will miss out on what God truly has for us.
Father God, help me to live for you and in light of eternity. Help me to not make temporary pleasure my highest good, but to make you my ultimate good. Amen.
Question: How can you have a clearer eternal perspective in what you value and the way you live?
Solomon continues in Ecclesiastes by looking at life from a strictly earthly perspective. Viewing life as only our eighty or so years on earth, there are certainly things which are more enjoyable than others. It is better to have a happy marriage than one filled with conflict, it is better to have money than to live in poverty, and it is better to laugh than to cry. Yet a life filled with money, a happy marriage, and lots of laughter but without God, is a life empty of what is most important. Therefore, as we will see at the end of Ecclesiastes, what we ultimately need is God.
Paul points to this same concept in 2 Corinthians 7. When he confronted the church in Corinth in his previous letter with their rampant sin, he challenged them to repent. Hearing this caused sorrow in the church, but sorrow which ultimately led them to seek God. If life is only our material existence, than sorrow has no redeeming value. We should pursue pleasure at all costs. But since we will live forever, we need to embrace sorrow, suffering, hardship, trials, and difficulty in a way that leads us to God. If we live only for the moment, then we will miss out on what God truly has for us.
Father God, help me to live for you and in light of eternity. Help me to not make temporary pleasure my highest good, but to make you my ultimate good. Amen.
Question: How can you have a clearer eternal perspective in what you value and the way you live?
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