MAY 15

Ecclesiastes 6:1-2
Memorise Ecclesiastes 6:2
“Yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof…”

In this last chapter of Solomon’s observations concerning life, he will add a few more case studies and examples of the vanities of life, which will confirm the conclusions that he has already made, that indeed man under the sun can never find true happiness and contentment in life.

First he speaks of something which he has observed is actually common among man, and is something we realise is prevalent all around us as well. It is of a man to whom God has given riches, wealth and honour – everything that the world seeks after. And so everything that this man wants in his heart, God has granted to him. On the surface, at least for a period of time, it seems that he is living the dream! He has all that his soul desires, and he seems to have a life that should be envied by all around him. Yet he has a problem, in that whilst he has all the physical things on earth and also the honour from man, he cannot enjoy them, for he has no power to eat! Perhaps the problem is health, or old age, or maybe some other personal problems. Whatever the case, all the stuff he has will count for nothing! Eventually he will die, and so his wealth is given to a stranger. Someone else will enjoy the fruits of his labour, and eat the food that he was supposed to eat. Again a very sad end and a very stark illustration of how all the riches and honour in the world cannot satisfy, if God chooses not to allow you to enjoy them. 

Dear teen, have you ever regarded the ‘power to eat’ as a gift and a blessing from God? We look at the lives that we have, and I am sure most of us can confidently say that we have been blessed materially by God. Yet in spite of all the things that we have, many times we are not appreciative of them, and are still discontent. It is only when the ability to enjoy them is taken away from us, like when we get a blocked nose and can’t taste our food, will we learn to fully appreciate what we have not lost. Instead of waiting for that to happen, we ought instead to thank God for even the simple ability to eat, to breathe and to enjoy life, for even those things, are a gift from God.

Thought: Having the ‘power to eat’, does not mean we must focus all our powers on just eating!
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the life that You have given to me, and the ability to enjoy it.