APR 9

Ecclesiastes 1:4-7
Memorise Daniel 4:35
“One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh”

Continuing in his introduction, Solomon now gives a series of observations which he makes concerning life in general. He first looks at nature and the created world around him, and observes its never ending cycle of life. It is interesting to note how astute and scientifically accurate his observations were, again a testament to his amazing God-given intellect.

He comments on the repetitiveness which he sees in the passing of one generation to another. The wheel of time just keeps turning, and waits for no man. The cycle of life will always continue as it is, as children become adults, and then grow old and die, and then another generation comes to take their place. In nature, there is also continual repetition – the sun which rises in the east and sets in the west, then rises in the east again the next day; the wind which whirls about continually, and never seems to end; the waters of the earth, which continue on in their cycle and never run out. In all this he sees nature as fixed, constant, never changing, for the earth abideth forever. No matter how many times the sun goes down, it will always rise, the wind will always blow, and the rivers always run.

But yet amidst the constancy, there is much movement, restlessness, for the sun ariseth, goeth down, hasteth; the wind goeth, turneth, whirleth continually, and the rivers run and return hither again. The verbs used are very active verbs, full of movement and activity. So much hustling about, shifting from place to place. This is how nature is, as it was created by God. Ever moving, but never changing. God in His creation placed all these physical laws in place that the natural world will always follow, and serves as a constant reminder to us as to the glories of His creation.

In the middle of this whole cycle of nature, is man and his insignificant life. We last but for a single generation. With or without us, the world rushes on, and the earth continues to abide. Understanding nature in such a light really does help to put us into our place, and help us realise how unimportant we really are. Man in his delusions of self-grandeur thinks he is far greater than he really is. Compared to God’s magnificent creation, we are but dust! Yet through it all, God has a plan and a purpose for our life – one that can only be fulfilled when the life is lived for God.

Thought: How often do I stop to marvel at God’s creation?
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for creating me and giving me life, that I can live it for Your glory.