Ecclesiastes 1:12-18; 2:1-11. The Futility of Life Explored
12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! 14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind…1:12-14…
2v10-11...I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labour, and this was the reward for all my toil. 11 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.
Here are three thoughts from the preaching on Sunday.
Your Mind will never find true enlightenment no matter how much you try! 1:12-14.
13 I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. [1:13]
Your Heart will never find true satisfaction no matter how much you try! 2v10-11.
I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. [2v10]
Your Soul will never find true rest no matter how much you try!
35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Mark 8v35-36
Here are my conclusions after musing on the preaching from Sunday.
Your Mind can find true enlightenment in God alone. Your Heart can find true satisfaction in God alone. Your Soul can find true rest in God alone. At that time Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11v28.
Therefore don’t waste your life! Love God and others with all mind, heart, soul and strength! 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark12v30-31
