MAR 8

Ecclesiastes 9:4-6
Memorise Ecclesiastes 9:4
"For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope"

WHY IS THERE HOPE FOR THE LIVING?

But despite the certainty of death, Solomon tells us that there is still hope for the living. Those that are dead are lost and gone. They cannot enjoy the fruits of life anymore, and neither can they know anything anymore. The fleeting human experiences of love, hatred and envy are now perished, and they can’t be brought back to life anymore. They no longer have any reward or portion in life, and they will soon be forgotten. This death is permanent, and there is nothing at all that man can do to prevent it.

On the other hand, for those who are living, they still have time to enjoy life. More importantly, they have an opportunity to seek after God. Even the vilest of men still have the opportunity to repent and turn back to God. He can still make his life worthwhile and experience all the joys that life has to offer. This is why a living dog, though he be despised and ostracised by society (1 Samuel 24:14), is better than a dead lion, which is a symbol for strength, majesty and authority, the most noble of all animals (Proverbs 30:30).

Thus knowing that death comes to all, and that after death man has no more opportunity to know anything, the living must take heed and realize the futility of their life under the sun, and seek after God. We must submit our lives to Him and through Christ have hope for eternal life.

Dear teen, if you are reading this, it means that you are still alive. It means that you are of the living, and there is still much hope in your life! If you do not trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour yet, then there is still hope. But do not delay, for we never know when our time on earth will be over. For those of us who are Christians, we must also cherish the life that God has given to us, and do all we can to make it a life that brings glory and pleasure to the Lord. We have only one life to live. What will you make of it?

Thought: "Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way; Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last." – CT Studd
Prayer: Lord, help me to cherish this life that You have given me, and always to live it for Thy glory.