“The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.” – Ecclesiastes 9:11
Life isn’t fair. Bad things happen to good people. And our plans rarely turn out like we hoped. Faced with the reality of living in a fallen world instead of a sinless paradise, how can we keep from sinking into cynicism or despair? How can we enjoy this life? Thankfully, Ecclesiastes has some answers.
Ecclesiastes points out the random meaninglessness of life, not to drive us to despair, but to direct us to Jesus. You see, God doesn’t want us searching for joy but searching for Jesus. Joy doesn’t come from finding meaning, success or purpose in this life. Joy comes from finding Jesus.
Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 describes the joy of being in a relationship with Jesus, “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”
We can be glad and joyful because in Jesus God has already accepted us completely. We don’t have to earn His acceptance! He’s clothed us in His righteousness and anointed us with the Holy Spirit. He has given us relationships to enjoy right here and now. He’s also given us good works to walk in so we can enjoy doing those with all our might.
Are you enjoying life in Jesus or are you searching for joy somewhere else?
Life isn’t fair. Bad things happen to good people. And our plans rarely turn out like we hoped. Faced with the reality of living in a fallen world instead of a sinless paradise, how can we keep from sinking into cynicism or despair? How can we enjoy this life? Thankfully, Ecclesiastes has some answers.
Ecclesiastes points out the random meaninglessness of life, not to drive us to despair, but to direct us to Jesus. You see, God doesn’t want us searching for joy but searching for Jesus. Joy doesn’t come from finding meaning, success or purpose in this life. Joy comes from finding Jesus.
Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 describes the joy of being in a relationship with Jesus, “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”
We can be glad and joyful because in Jesus God has already accepted us completely. We don’t have to earn His acceptance! He’s clothed us in His righteousness and anointed us with the Holy Spirit. He has given us relationships to enjoy right here and now. He’s also given us good works to walk in so we can enjoy doing those with all our might.
Are you enjoying life in Jesus or are you searching for joy somewhere else?
Posted in devo