#remember your creator

     In the end, the lead character turns to the audience      & implores us to do whatever it takes to      find a little happiness.

     For him, this includes leaving traditional morality behind.

     But will “do whatever” work?

     Facing his own despair at life’s horrors, the OT writer      of Ecclesiastes gave it a try long ago, searching for      happiness through pleasure [Ecclesiastes 2:1, 10],      grand work projects [v.4–6], riches [v.7–9], &      philosophical inquiry [v.12–16].

     And his assessment?

     “All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind”      [v.17].

     None of these things is immune to death, disaster,      or injustice [5:13–17].

           Ecclesiastes 5:13-17 | There is a grievous evil            I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to            the harm of its owner, or wealth lost in a failed            venture, so that when that man has a son there            is nothing to pass on.

           As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he            will depart again, naked as he arrived.

           He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.            This too is a grievous evil:            Exactly as a man is born, so he will depart.

           What does he gain as he toils for the wind?            Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness,            with much sorrow, sickness, & anger.

     Only one thing brings the writer of Ecclesiastes      back from despair.

     Despite life’s trials, we can find fulfillment when      GOD is part of our living & working:

     “for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” [2:25].

     Life will at times feel meaningless, but      “remember your Creator” [12:1].

           Ecclesiastes 12:1 | Remember your Creator in the            days of your youth, before the days of adversity            come & the years approach of which you will say,            “I find no pleasure in them,”

     Don’t exhaust yourself trying to figure life out, but      “fear GOD & keep HIS commandments” [v.13].

           Ecclesiastes 12:13 | When all has been heard,            the conclusion of the matter is this:            Fear GOD & keep HIS commandments,            because this is the whole duty of man.

     Without GOD as our center, life’s pleasures & sorrows      lead only to disillusionment.

Reflect & Pray

How much do you seek happiness through things that won’t last? Since the writer of Ecclesiastes didn’t know the hope of resurrection, how would you consider his search in light of Romans 8:11, 18–25?

           Romans 8:11 | And if the SPIRIT of HIM            who raised JESUS from the dead is living in you,            HE who raised CHRIST JESUS from the dead            will also give life to your mortal bodies            through HIS SPIRIT, who lives in you.

GOD, today I place YOU anew at the center of my living, working, joys, & disappointments, for without YOU nothing will satisfy or make sense.

           Romans 8:18-25 | I consider that our present            sufferings are not comparable to the glory            that will be revealed in us.

           The creation waits in eager expectation for the            revelation of the sons of GOD.            For the creation was subjected to futility, not by            its own will, but because of the One who            subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will            be set free from its bondage to decay &            brought into the glorious freedom of the            children of GOD.

           We know that the whole creation has been            groaning together in the pains of childbirth            until the present time.

           Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the            firstfruits of the SPIRIT, groan inwardly as we            wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the            redemption of our bodies.

           For in this hope we were saved; but            hope that is seen is no hope at all.

           Who hopes for what s/he can already see?            But if we hope for what we do not yet see,            we wait for it patiently.