Category: devotional

  • Meaningless to Meaningful

    What Ecclesiastes Teaches About Meaning in Life 

    Leaves blowing in the wind

    I’m often asked what my favorite book of the Bible is, and typically I answer Romans. Surprisingly, though, I often find myself in Ecclesiastes. I love Romans for its robust, deep theology. Paul wrestles with some very difficult questions and teaches us things that can be hard to hear.

    Ecclesiastes, on the other hand, is King Solomon’s lament. Solomon had it all. He was the richest and wisest man in the world at the time. His influence shaped nations near and far. His nation was an economic powerhouse that reached every corner of the known world. 

    Near the end of his life, he comes to some startling conclusions about all He is, has and has done. 

    The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 ESV

    That theme echoes throughout the short book.  All of it is meaningless. All is vanity, emptiness, a chasing after the wind. That’s a harsh condemnation because the things He calls meaningless are what the world tells us will bring us completeness, happiness and fulfillment.

    If that’s true, where is the meaning in life? Where do we find our purpose? Fortunately, Solomon answers that for us.

    The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 ESV

    The Apostle Paul writes:

    Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

    Jesus put it this way,

    But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 ESV

    Stepping outside the Scriptures, the Westminster Shorter Catechism tells us that the chief end of humanity is

    “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever”

    The key to meaning in life is to follow after the things of God. Nothing else will satisfy. It’s the purpose God created you for.

    Are you chasing after the wind or the things that will really fulfill you?

    Kevin

    SUMMARY

    I love Romans for its theology, but Ecclesiastes is where I keep returning. Solomon’s verdict on a life that had everything still cuts through today, and his answer to that emptiness is the answer to ours.

    TAKEAWAY

    You can gain everything the world calls success and still find it empty, because none of it was ever built to satisfy you.

    The answer isn’t found in more. It’s found in fearing God and keeping His commandments, no matter how much or how little you have.

    Ask yourself honestly: are you chasing after the wind, or are you chasing after the one thing that actually lasts?

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  • Blown by the wind? Read the Word

    Years ago, this whirlymagig used to hang outside our dining room window. Some people call them wind spinners, or whirligigs, but I’ve always known them as whirlymagigs. One of our sons built it at camp.

    It is a spiral of popsicle sticks, mounted with a swivel on a string. Whenever the wind blows, it spirals around with the wind; then the tension in the string spirals it back in the opposite direction when the wind stops. 

    It can be quite relaxing to sit and watch them spiral as the wind chimes toll their delightful melody. 

    If the wind gets to be too strong, though, the whirlymagig blows all over the place, and the wind chimes just clang with noise.

    Many people in the church are like this spinner. They don’t know what they believe or why they believe it. Never having read or studied God’s word for themselves, they blow to and fro with the teachers of their favorite pastor and clang about in a storm.

    The Bible warned that this would happen. 

    I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4:1-4 NIV

    We need to be diligent in testing out the teaching we hear with what the Bible actually says. Ask God to reveal His truth when you read. 

    If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.  For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8 NIV

    By all means, listen to sermons, read solid teaching books, read devotionals like Gleanings, but ALWAYS compare them to the Word. If you’re not spending time in your Bible, give up Gleanings or one of the other things you read (or listen to) and invest that time in reading the Bible. Gleanings is only designed to supplement your time in the Bible, not replace it.

    Invest your time in reading and listening to the Bible. Learn what you believe and why you believe it, then when the winds of life blow (and they will), you will be anchored to a foundation that will stand.

    Our hope, our faith and our salvation is in Christ alone. Much of our understanding and our ability to apply the truths of that relationship comes from reading the Word. Studying the Scriptures teaches us more about Christ, about His power and His promises for our lives and those things help us to withstand the turbulence of life.

    Read the Word. Read THE WORD. READ THE WORD. Just in case you’re not certain as to what I’m saying, I’ll repeat it: READ THE WORD

    Invest in a good Bible, perhaps a couple of different translations, get a good concordance, and a Bible dictionary to help if you can. If you have no budget, there are a plethora of free resources available on the net.

    There are all kinds of delightful commentaries out there to help you understand, but the most important thing is time in the Bible itself. READ THE WORD!

    Don’t be like my whirlymagig, blown around by the slightest change. Study God’s truth for yourself. If the church you belong to tells you not to study the Word or won’t allow you to ask questions about it, find another church.

    Until next time, read the Word.

    Be blessed

    SUMMARY

    My whirlymagig only flies out of control when the wind gets too strong, and too many Christians do the same thing spiritually. Stop being blown around by every teacher and get anchored in the Word instead.

    TAKEAWAY

    If you’ve never studied God’s Word for yourself, you’ll blow around with whatever your favorite pastor says.

    Test every teaching you hear against Scripture.

    Don’t let a devotional like Gleanings replace your time in the Bible. Let it point you back to it.

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