Read Ecclesiastes 3:9–22
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his
toil—this is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:13
When the well-known British Methodist preacher William Sangster
learned that he had progressive muscular atrophy and could not get
well, he made four resolutions and kept them to the end: (1) I will
never complain; (2) I will keep the home bright; (3) I will count my
blessings; (4) I will try to turn it to gain. This is the approach to life
that Solomon wants us to take.
However, we must note that Solomon is not saying, “Don’t
worry—be happy!” He is promoting faith in God. Faith is only as
good as the object of faith, and the greatest object of faith is the Lord.
He can be trusted.
Since we have trusted Jesus Christ, we are being prepared for an
eternal home. The Puritan pastor Thomas Watson said, “Eternity to
the godly is a day that has no sunset; eternity to the wicked is a night
that has no sunrise.”
The proper attitude for us is fear of the Lord (v. 14 KJV), which is
not the cringing of a slave before a cruel master, but the submission of
an obedient child to a loving parent. If we fear God, we need not fear
anything else, for He is in control.
Something to Ponder
In what ways do you feel God is preparing you now for your eternal
home?