APR 21

Ecclesiastes 2:26
Memorise Matthew 7:11
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above”

Following on from the thought that he had with regards to being content and enjoying the life that God has given us, Solomon then exhorts man to trust in the wisdom of God. He guides us to acknowledge God as the one who sovereignly directs all things that happen in this life, for He knows how to dispense wisdom, knowledge and joy to those who are deserving of them, or to those whom He chooses. Likewise, God knows how to deal with the sinner and He gives travail to him so that he will live his life in vain pursuit of all things under the sun and gather and heap up worldly possessions just like Solomon did. Yet, there will be times where God can also take all the possessions that the sinner has gathered, and then give them to one whom God decides is more deserving of such wealth. Does this seem like vanity? Does it seem unfair? Are we but pawns in the hands of a fickle god? To the unbeliever, yes it will seem so unpredictable and appear to be ‘vanity and vexation’. That was also Solomon’s conclusion when he had the wrong perspectives of life.

However for us, we know that it is God’s divine prerogative to do as He wills, and everything will be done according to His infinite wisdom. He will never give wrongly, and therefore there is no need to fear death, to hate life, or to despair of our labour. If we acknowledge that God is the sole giver of everything that we have in this life, then we will know that the life that we live and the labours that we perform are all guided and controlled by Him. We will then realise that anything done under the sun, apart from God, is vanity. True meaning and happiness can never be found under the sun. Rather, we remember the maxim, ‘Only one life to live, twill soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last.’

May we all learn to acknowledge God as the giver of all things and, in light of that, live a life pleasing and acceptable in His sight.

Thought: Can I blame God and be angry with Him when I do not seem to receive the things that I want in this life?
Prayer: Lord, may You help me to trust in You and to believe that all Your plans for me are always the very best.