Introductory Thoughts
The book of Ecclesiastes contains documentation of Solomon’s life experiment apart from God. He examined the worth of subjects involving happiness, wealth, labour, and death. Ultimately, he concluded that life “under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:14) was vanity. The word vanity means empty or meaningless. Though Solomon wrote extensively concerning vanity, he was not the only person in the Bible to declare the vanity of life. In fact, Solomon’s father David declared that “every man at his best state is altogether vanity” (Psalm 39:5). King David added that if both men of high and low degree were laid in a balance together, they would be “lighter than vanity” (Psalm 62:9). Thus, regardless of worldly accomplishments and accolades, a life void of God remains meaningless.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Solomon learned that he could be happy only by trusting in God (Proverbs 16:20). Only through Gods word can we understand why the world is full of sickness, sorrow, pain, evil, etc. (Psalm 119:130a). If God left man on the earth without hope of a home in heaven, we would be miserable (1 Corinthians 15:19). Fortunately, He has promised to return for His children (John 14:1-3).
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(For everyone): If there were no God, what would be the purpose of things like labour and love? What would be the purpose of life and death? How can we ensure that our life is not vain?
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Read Revelation 4:11. For what purpose was man created? What happens when a person fails to do what he was created to do? Are you fulfilling your purpose in life? If not, why not?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to give your life meaning.
- Ask the Lord to show you the vanity of this world.
Song
Almighty Maker of My Frame
