ECCLESIASTES 1:1-11 – “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.”
THEME OF THE DAY: GETTING A GOOD DOSE OF REALITY. If I were restricted to recommend just one book in the Bible for every Christian to read, and to make it a book visited often, it would be from where today’s scripture is taken – the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. Yes, I know. We actually should be reading all the books in our Bibles regularly. And yes, I know the New Testament book of John’s Gospel is a “go to” place to encounter Jesus. And of course, the Mount Everest of theology, the book of Romans, should be a regular diet for Christians to establish firm theological and doctrinal foundations for life. But I maintain Ecclesiastes is a must read to help us maintain a proper perspective on life, ourselves, and the world around us. We may even call this wisdom book by King Solomon “getting a good dose of reality.”
The book starts directly and “in your face” with the words vanity of vanity, all is vanity. This is the common theme throughout. Vanity is defined as excessive pride in or admiration of one’s own appearance or achievements. It also means the quality of being worthless or futile. King Solomon knew both painful experiences well. He was the richest person in the world. He partook of anything or anyone money could buy (read Ecclesiastes 2:1-11). No doubt he was the envy of many, and he would lie awake at night, looking to the ceiling and cry, “Vanity, vanity, it is all vanity.”
Not only did the king learn nothing satisfies the human heart by way of possessions, recognition, achievements, or accolades but God Himself, he also came to the realization nothing in life mattered but the approval of God. Remember, vanity also means worthless or futile. And nothing reveals this more to us than us seeking the vain approval of people. The ones who praise us today and profess loyal friendships may well be the ones who gossip about us and abandon relationships in the not-too-distant future. People are fickle. God is not. Don’t live for the fickle but the unchanging! Don’t live to be accepted, liked, or pleasing people. It is vanity.
Ecclesiastes brings reality into our lives. It really is a good dose of real life. Spend time reading it and be protected from the deception from the devil, the world, and our own hearts.
PRAYER: Father, help me not to be deceived and be attached to the things of this world more than You.
REFLECTION: In this world, don’t look to things and people for what is only found in Christ alone.