3. "This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead. "
Edith A Reuss wrote article on Time for the Lord. "Today our pastor preached on time for the Lord, but I'm just a kid, still in high school. I think he meant that for grown-ups; I'm in college now and I love it! So many new ideas! Every day I find myself passing the campus chapel and somehow it nags at me but I have so much studying to do. I'm sure the Lord understands.
I'm married now, and I love him so much! We have talked about taking time to pray together but with our jobs and housework and trying to get adjusted to each other, I don't push it just now; Three preschoolers! They keep me going all day and when they are finally in bed. I'm exhausted. We should have family devotions, but they're too little to understand now. I'll wait until they are older;
They're finally all in school. Now it's PTA, piano lessons, and little league. Each day slips away from me before I know it. We never seem to be home at the same time;
Now my teens are so independent sometimes I feel I'm running a boarding house instead of a family. I suggested family prayer once and they all gave me that "Oh, Mother" look. I can't push them I guess.
The last one is married. It's so quiet being just the two of us again. Now I have a job and I'm busier than ever adjusting to the business world again. When I get used to the new life then I'll have time for daily prayer and time for God;
Cancer is an ugly word no matter how kindly it is put. The hospital is a bustling place and I have a steady stream of roommates, but I feel walled off and alone. I have time now. Nothing but time. I sit with my Bible open before me but my tears blur the words so I cannot read. I cannot pray! God seems so far away now. I wonder why?"
In his sermon in Ecclesiastes, Solomon looks at all his accomplishments and concludes it is all for nothing. Without God life is vanity. All things that Solomon wanted were ultimately in God's hands. All wisdom, knowledge, money, politics, authority, all of it, is meaningless when life lacks meaning and purpose.
When Solomon looked at the problems of the world and the injustices, the abuse of power and money, life is so short lived and futile.
Application: There are two simple, but often overlooked, truths that Solomon talks about in Chapter 9. Death is Predictable and Life is Unpredictable, so, my question is, what are you doing about it?
Prayer: Lord, help me make everyday count for You. Fill my heart with a hunger for you NOW so that I can be ready for the unpredictables of tomorrows! Thank You Lord that I can know that You hear my prayer.
