Wired for Eternity
People throughout history in every culture have held the belief of eternal life. Because we are made in God's image, we are designed with this innate sense of eternity. It's why we are ultimately dissatisfied with the things of this life. In these verses, we are reminded of God's eternal sovereignty as He writes the story of our lives--amid the challenging chapters and the beautiful ones. And through it all, God desires us maintain an eternal perspective and find joy.
Living the Dash
Here, King Solomon interrupts his journal with a poem that may be familiar to some of us. By contrasting opposite experiences of life's journey, he asserts that every aspect and activity is God-designed and purposeful. Between our birth and death, there will be times to dance and mourn, to plant and reap, to gain and to lose. But peace will be woven through it all only when we live each day with the perspective of the Divine security we have through Jesus Christ.
Question and Answer Program No. 72
Stephen and Scott discuss questions phoned in by listeners. Please note that there is NO transcript available for this program.
Finding Meaning on Monday Morning
Man's pursuit of the dream job has not changed since the days of King Solomon. Today people continue to look for that perfect, fulfilling, life-affirming position--but most of us find only frustration. In these verses, Solomon acknowledges that life--and our job, whatever it may be--is a gift from God. Life under the sun is always enriched with a focus on God. So, whether your work is writing computer code, building houses, or changing diapers, you will only find satisfaction when you work to bring glory to God (Colossians 3:23-24).
Rising Above the Tide
As these verses begin, Solomon seems to be taking to positive turn in his journal when he says that living wisely is better than foolishness. But then he falls into the previous pattern, claiming, "It doesn't really matter, because we're all going to die--and be forgotten--anyway." And he's mad about it. This will be our truth as well--unless we rise above it by embracing the Way, the Truth, and the Life--Jesus Christ--Who gives our lives meaning, purpose, and joy. Eternally.
Let the Good Times Roll
King Solomon discovered that knowledge and wisdom didn't satisfy him or bring meaning to his life. So, he decided to pursue pleasure and entertainment; and when that didn't work, he turned to alcohol. Then, he turned to various obsessions and possessions. With it all--but without God--he was left empty time after time. Without God, these pursuits will only leave us bitter, bondage, and discontentment. We will all be restless until we find our rest in the Lord.
King of the Mountain
Solomon continues to write in his journal about the sad truths he's discovered as he searched the world under the sun. In these verses, he asserts that no matter how much we know, there will be problems, frustrations, and challenges we simply can't solve. Moreover, knowledge and information do not eliminate life's sorrows. Trusting in the world's wisdom is never the answer; we must trust in the wisdom and the word of God.
Chasing After Bubbles and Chickens
In our culture, there is a constant quest for more. But what is enough? King Solomon had, literally, everything. But he discovered through his life that even that wasn't enough to give life meaning. And through the thousands of years since then, this fact has been rediscovered time and time again. But, as Christians, we know the Source of true meaning and satisfaction, and we are able to live a life of purpose because of Jesus.
In a World of Smoke and Mirrors
Have you chased after something only to find that once you "got" it, it wasn't actually satisfying? You felt duped by it all. For those living just for the things of this life (what Solomon deems as everything "under the sun"), life's pursuits are, in fact, ultimately unsatisfying and meaningless. Only with God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ can life have real significance. Here, Pastor Davey continues applying the timeless wisdom of King Solomon's Book of Ecclesiastes.
Tied to the Treadmill of Life
King Solomon uses the word "vanity" 37 times in Ecclesiastes, beginning with verse 2 where he uses it five times, emphasizing this original Hebrew word meaning vapor, futility, senselessness, and frustration. In other words, Solomon begins his journal by describing how human lives come and go as the world continues turning. And he warns us that if we keep our gaze "under the sun"--and don't look to God's purpose for us--life is indeed a futile vapor.