relationships (Ecclesiastes 6:1-12) The Relationship of Eternity

(Ecclesiastes 6:1-12)

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is widespread among mankind: 2 a person to whom God has given riches, wealth, and honor, so that his soul lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God has not given him the opportunity to enjoy these things, but a foreigner enjoys them. This is futility and a severe affliction. 3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many they may be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things and he does not even have a proper burial, then I say, “Better the miscarriage than he, 4 for a miscarriage comes in futility and goes into darkness; and its name is covered in darkness. 5 It has not even seen the sun nor does it know it; yet it is better off than that man. 6 Even if the man lives a thousand years twice, but does not see good things—do not all go to one and the same place?”

7 All a person’s labor is for his mouth, and yet his appetite is not satisfied. 8 For what advantage does the wise person have over the fool? What does the poor person have, knowing how to walk before the living? 9 What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires. This too is futility and striving after wind.

10 Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is; for he cannot dispute with the one who is mightier than he is. 11 For there are many words which increase futility. What then is the advantage to a person? 12 For who knows what is good for a person during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a person what will happen after him under the sun?

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

All good things are from God, and for right now, even the wicked are able to have good things.  But without God in their lives, they will still feel empty and dissatisfied, no matter how many family members or friends one might have.  And whatever one might acquire here on earth, it will never be enough, and it will all be lost.  As for power, people can seek to build themselves up in their own strength, but there will always be someone stronger, who may or may not take advantage of you.  

As verse 9 alludes to, people usually tend to think that "the grass is greener on the other side" - that - somehow, there must be more.  But more of what?  More of the same, will only be more of exactly the same.  If only one will open their eyes to see the truth that has always been right there in front of us! 

Then, looking closely at verse 10, there is more truth behind its statement.  In the grandest of scales, God has always been, and God is Sovereign.  There is no one more powerful than He.  In fact, He is stronger than all powers put together.  And everyone will have to stand before Him as their judge, whether to be judged by one's sins, or judged according to good deeds done with right movies.  The latter will only happen if one has humbly accepted the Lord Jesus Christ's forgiveness, which is His free gift of salvation.

Even though the Lord is all-powerful, He still will not force Himself on anyone, because He is good, and He loves us.  If one does not want a personal relationship with Him, then one is also rejecting all of the good things that are from God after one dies.  But in seeking out a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we will find forgiveness, protection, strength, wisdom, nourishment, fulfillment, joy and peace, as well as eternal security, treasures, perfection and satisfaction.  The decision is ours to make... a relationship with the fallen, broken world, or a relationship with the God of eternal life, love and goodness.