Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. – Ecclesiastes 2:11
What a state of utter hopelessness. | WATCH ON YOUTUBE
The book of Ecclesiastes paints a picture of life when God is taken out of the frame. It is presented as the experiences of the Philosopher or ‘Teacher’ who deliberately places himself in the shoes of a godless person. And the resulting worldview is one of emptiness and meaninglessness (Ecclesiastes 1:2). The writer shows that the human mind is unable to come up with convincing answers to the meaning of life, without the help of God.
Man has great potential for creativity and technical advancement. And yet, when that potential is not governed by a God-centred worldview, it leads to indiscipline and slavery of different kinds. Identity and significance elude those who do not know God. Revelation 3:17 says that without God we are wretched, miserable, poor blind and naked and we do not even know it. And that is the sorry state that a life away from God looks like.
Jesus and the apostles taught that man’s problems don’t so much stem from the outward circumstances as from the inner state. Problems and relationship issues stem from jealousy, selfishness, pride, greed, covetousness, and all wrong motives. And that a choice to be friends with the world makes one naturally the enemy of God. A heart that is proud, God opposes. But if we come near to God, He will come near to us (James 4:1-10).
Is yours a life that is experiencing God near to you each day?
Lord, draw me close to you, never let me go, I pray.
Extended Reading — Ecclesiastes 1-6
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