May 18, 2024

Passage Read: Ecclesiastes 7-10
Meditation Verse: 7:4

Thought

The wise man keeps in mind that his life is finite. The wise man seeks to remember that his days are few and will end in time, in the time of God's choosing, not his own. The man who remembers that death comes for each of us also considers the best way to use the days he's been given. Some men see that all there is is this life; they do not know what comes next, if anything. The only thing they can be sure of is their body will be buried in the ground and their life on earth will be over. Such men decide that there is nothing better than to enjoy these days while they remain. But when it becomes apparent that there is an eternity of life for those who please the Lord, then there is something else to spend our days on: storing up treasure in heaven.

Application

Solomon knew it was better for a man to live in obedience to God. Obedience to the king was expedient and therefore wise, but obedience to God, he knew it was better than to live in sin. He knew it would go better for the man who feared God, but he also knew that evil befell the righteous and good came to the wicked, at least in this life. But beyond this life, he was not very clear. He understood a judgment would come, but he spoke nothing, and apparently felt unqualified to speak, of what came after death. Knowing better what comes, I can make better choices in how I use the days I've been given, and I would rather do all I can to store up treasure in heaven, as opposed to just getting all the enjoyment out of this life I can.