Bible Chapter: Ecclesiastes 1 & 2

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    What a way to start out this book.  Everything is worthless.  All is vanity. What do you get for all your hard work?  The sun rises and falls and the wind blows.  Everything is wearisome beyond description.  We can’t be satisfied.  There is nothing new, we have heard all of this before. The writer devoted himself to find wisdom and he observed all he could.  It was all meaningless.
    He decided to pursue pleasure, for the “good life”. That was meaningless.  He sought major material possessions, homes and gardens and large herds and flocks.  He had more gold and silver than could be counted.  He got anything he wanted.  And his conclusion is that it was all meaningless, like chasing the wind. All of this was done with human effort and didn’t include God in the picture.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    I see some interesting insights here.  It appears that the writer has come to the conclusion that life has no meaning.  The key here is that life has no meaning apart from God and what He will do in our lives.  Life seems to always be the same, and it can become dreary.  I can seek pleasure and wisdom.  But, the conclusion is that, apart from God, none of it has meaning. God blesses us with food and the ability to gain wisdom.  With Him we find meaning and purpose in life.

3.  How can I help someone?
    It is easy to get caught up in the wild rush for more things, or power, or popularity or . . . .  The important thing is to learn where the purpose and meaning for life is found.  All of the things we seek that seem so important will one day let us down.  God will never let us down.  We find meaning in and through God.