72nd Week Ecclesiastes Into-Chapter 4 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

Click on video for Video Introduction

Monday, Ecclesiastes Introduction

Ecclesiastes Intro

Heather Williams

THOUGHT

My application Bible does a great job outlining and summarizing each book of the Bible, so I can’t take any credit for my devotion today.  I found it interesting that the purpose of this book (according to the Life Application Study Bible) is “to spare future generations the bitterness of learning through their own experience that life is meaningless apart from God”.  My first thought was, ‘Yeah right. Whoever listened to their elders?’ I mean you can tell a kid not to do something, but most of the time they have to learn the hard way. 

I pray that as we read this book our ears and minds will be open to what we are learning, and we can take to heart Solomon’s wisdom.  In this book, we will see what Solomon learned in his life.  He learned that the only place to find true happiness in life is through God alone.  And think about where this is coming from – King Solomon.  He had it all, wisdom, wealth, power, etc. He was the man of his time. And if he couldn’t find happiness in anything other than God, then we sure as well won’t.  He’s preaching from his experience.

I need to hear this message.  Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of life planning. I’m trying to figure out my career path, my future home, saving for retirement and all that good stuff.  However, it’s so easy to get sucked up into what the world tells you.  I see what is tangible and possible to have.  I start to have worldly desires and focus my purpose on making lots of money and having a big house.  That’s not what life’s about.  I need to hear where my purpose needs to be redirected.  I’m not saying planning isn’t a bad idea, but I need to keep my heart and mind focused on what’s really important in life — that is my eternal life.

PRAYER

Lord, please open our ears, minds, and hearts to listen to what You have to tell us about our purpose in life and where true happiness comes from based on Solomon’s sermon in Ecclesiastes.  It’s so easy to get sucked into what the world values as success and to seek happiness in those things.  Help us focus and learn from Solomon’s life, so that we don’t miss out on the true joy and happiness we can receive from being Your children and loving You.

AMEN

Tuesday, Ecclesiastes Chapter 1

Ecclesiastes I

Verse 2

Heather Williams

Verse 2:  Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.

THOUGHT

I know; I know what you’re thinking, “Wow Heather, thanks for picking such a happy optimistic book.”  This book may not come out as the most optimistic, but there is hope!  Immediately when I read this chapter, I thought of that verse in James (4:14), ‘You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.’  That’s what he is saying here.  

I know it feels like we are super important and the world revolves around us, but it’s not true! Shocking, I know.  Our human accomplishments may seem quite significant on earth, but one day they will disappear.  It’s kind of like cleaning the house.  I love the feeling of how clean my house is after I spend 2 hours cleaning.  It’s amazing!  However, two days later, there’s already dust beginning to layer, trash in the trash cans, splattering in the sink and spots on the mirror.  How frustrating!  I spent all that time and felt such an accomplishment for it to be done so quickly.  That’s how all our earthly accomplishments are.  They will disappear. 

I don’t mean to be pessimistic, but this insight is to help us so that (as my Bible puts it) we won’t become too proud and self—sufficient when we succeed or sorely disappointed when we fail.  These earthly possessions and accomplishments are ultimately meaningless.  Only the pursuit of God brings real satisfaction.

PRAYER

Father God, thank You for loving us!  We don’t deserve Your love, but You are so gracious to love us and accept us despite our selfishness.  Lord, help us to see that our real significance lies in You and not in anything we can do, accomplish or possess on earth.  Help us to honor You in all that we say, think and do.  AMEN

Wednesday, Ecclesiastes Chapter 2

Ecclesiastes 2

Verse 11  

Heather Williams

Verse 11:  “Yet when I surveyed all that my hand had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”

THOUGHT

We hear Solomon a few times in this chapter compare ‘everything is meaningless’ to a chasing after the wind.  I think that’s a great analogy.  We can feel the wind, but we can’t ever catch it.  It will always pass by us. 

That is the comparison to our worldly accomplishments. They feel great at the time as they blow by, but they don’t last. We can’t hold on to them.  Again we are reminded that our self-worth is not found in these passing worldly accomplishments, but in God’s everlasting love.  What do you consider worthwhile in your life?  Where do you place your time, energy, and money?

PRAYER

Dear Lord, we thank You for blessing us with accomplishments in this world. We are so blessed by all the things we have, all the people who love us, and all the other blessings given to us.  Thank You!  Lord, help us to remember that You give us those blessings.  Help us to not place our time, energy, and money in making more worldly accomplishments, but by focusing on the One who blesses us.  AMEN

Thursday, Ecclesiastes Chapter 3

Ecclesiastes 3

Verse 1

Heather Williams

Verse 1:  There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.

THOUGHT

Sing with me now, “There is a season, turn, turn, turn . . .”  I had to

pick this verse.  All of the times listed from verse 1 through 8 are appropriate at one time or another.  God provides various cycles of life for each of us to incur.  Through these cycles we need to keep our focus on God and be reminded that without God, there are no solutions to our problems.  We need to accept and appreciate God’s perfect timing which I know sounds easier than it is.

I know from experience that God’s timing is often quite different than mine. I thought I should have passed my CPA exam 5 years ago.  Well, God had another plan.  I’m not sure why; but I trust in his perfect timing, and I know that without Him I wouldn’t have made it through that time.  Of course I doubted God’s timing in that situation, but eventually I came to accept it.

PRAYER

Father God, thank You for the seasons in life You provide for each of us. Help us to be able to accept and appreciate Your timing in our lives.  It may not be easy or what we want or what we expect, but help us to trust in You.  Thank You for having our best interest at heart. May we each be able to enjoy the season we are in and realize we couldn’t get through it without You. AMEN

Friday, Ecclesiastes Chapter 4

Ecclesiastes 4

Verses 9&10

Tanya Ruden

Verses 9&10:  Two are better than one...if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up.

THOUGHT

The theme I really want to talk about is companionship.  Solomon states life is created for companionship.  God created woman so that man wasn’t alone. God does not want us to be alone.  Some people like to be alone at times, but God calls us to serve others and share Him with others.  He didn’t create us to sit at home or work our tails off and be alone.

I think this means we need to make time to spend with people, with family and with friends.  So often we feel we are too busy to share or care about another person’s life.  I love being with my family whether we are eating together, ganging up on Alan in a game of Sorry together, or talking with family on the phone, etc.  I really pray that these things are what keep us ‘busy’.

I pray that each of us are there for others - to help those who fall without being judgmental.  I pray that we as Salt Shakers are called upon by others, to lift those who fall.  Let’s take time to be in relationship, not only with family, but with friends.  

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, You have called us on earth to serve and to share.  In order to do those activities we need to associate with people.  Help us carve time out in our schedule to spend time with people.  Give us quality time for sharing and discussing and having fun. You, Jesus, were one of the busiest people we know, and You always made time for dinner with friends or to help others. May we live by this example - Take time for others.  AMEN