KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Chapters: Ecclesiastes 1-6
Message: Make Every Day Count
Hello My Friend,
The Book of Ecclesiastes contains twelve chapters, the timeline is approximately 977 BC. The author of the book is King Solomon and it was first written to the Jews, but is addressed to all believers. The purpose of the book provides a description of the quest for life apart from God, to prove that no matter how much one has, it is vanity (worthless) and vexation (distressing) of the spirit if God is not a part of it. “For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.” – Ecclesiastes 2:26.
King Solomon was brought up by King David, a man known as the apple of God’s eye, he was taught to love the Lord with all his heart, mind, and soul. Solomon did very well in the beginning, he truly loved and feared God, and not only became the wisest, but the richest man in the world. Ecclesiastes means, the preacher, Solomon wrote this book in his old age after realizing the biggest mistake he ever made, his spirit was not right with God. Nothing changes except the seasons, and nothing we do in this life has purpose unless God is in it.
“All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.” – Ecclesiastes 1:7-10.
“it hath been already of old time,” We think that what we see today is awful and terrible, but God has seen it all before and worse, and let me tell you, it is going to get worse. If God destroyed the earth once with a flood due to the wickedness of the earth, imagine what it will be like for Him to want to destroy it all together with fire. I tell you what, I do not want to be around for that. Solomon realized something else, wise or foolish, we all die.
“Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.” – Ecclesiastes 2:11-16.
“And how dieth the wise man?” There is one thing none of us can avoid, and that is death, that is unless Jesus returns soon. I know this is a very depressing thought, but we do not have to fear death, as long as we know Christ as our Saviour, that is. Of course, God wants us to live, and we need to work to eat, just be wise about it, think about what we would be leaving behind once we are gone.
“What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.” – Ecclesiastes 3:9-13.
“and enjoy the good of all his labour,” Do not make the mistake of thinking that good old fashioned hard work does not pay off, God wants us to work, and He wants to bless us according to our work, He just wants to do it for His glory. Nothing in this world lasts, but if we have Jesus we know we have Him forever, and as long as we look to Him, everything we do will be prosperous. Solomon knew that living life to please the flesh was all vanity, something was missing, whether the ones who are oppressed or the oppressor we all need a comforter.
“So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.” – Ecclesiastes 4:1-4.
“and they had no comforter;” This goes back to what I was saying yesterday, Solomon craved love, which is why he tried to find every way possible to please his flesh, but something was missing from his life. Do not think that life does not count and we should just live as we please and suffer through the consequences of living a lustful life because, after all, we die. Life does count, in this one and the next, everything we get, including life, is a gift from God, and since nothing is certain all we have is today to make life count.
“And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness. Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.” – Ecclesiastes 5:16-20.
“and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?” The older I get the more precious life becomes to me, I do not want the rest of my days to be worthless, I want to make each day count. Christians ought to be the best workers in all that they do, and in doing so they will be very prosperous, but we must be careful, if we take our eyes off Jesus for one second we could lose it all. Solomon warns about the evil of superficial wealth.
“There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease. If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he. For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.” – Ecclesiastes 6:1-4.
“so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth,” There are people so rich with so many things that they see no need for God because they have everything they desire. This is also vanity and vexation of the spirit, which is why most Christians learn to live day by day for their bread for a good part of their lives. Every faithful and true Christian will face some financial hardships, but through them they find the best treasure of all, Jesus Christ. Let me tell you, God blesses us for our faithfulness, He will always take care of us and provide for us, we just need to have faith, remain faithful, and make everything we do count for something. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” – Matthew 6:19-21.
Jesus Christ Magnified: Today, Jesus is revealed as the Judge (Ecc 3:17). Jesus is Judge of all and He will judge us according to our works. “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” – Revelation 22:12.
Today’s Prayer: God, As much as I try to do everything with Your Son guiding me I know I fail miserably at it. Sometimes I think I can handle it on my own and that You do not want to deal with such petty things, but I know that You want to be in every part of my life, even when I am doing simple chores. Lord, give me Your power, strength, and guidance to labor for my work. Help me to build everything upon Your foundation so I cannot fall. And if everything crumbles to the ground keep me looking to You and for the blessings that come from my loss. Let me make each day count by filling me with the love, mercy, and grace that only You can fill. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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