Thought for the day

So I've been reading through and studying Ecclesiastes and this book can really leave you with a cynical out look on life if you miss the point. 12 chapters saying that "everything is meaningless and pointless", all of our striving, our laboring, our good times and bad times are all pointless.

However, chapter 12 verse 13 states,

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all."

The phrase in Hebrew literally says that "this is man", so to fear God and obey Him is where we find our identity. I know this isn't new for some of you, for some this revelation has become nothing more than rhetoric or a cliché but yet your still trying to "find yourself".

But apart from this reality we will never "find ourself", this is why you were created. For Him!

Colossians 1:16-17:

"For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist."

We will never find "wholeness" if we are't sitting at His feet. We will take on every identity the world wants to put on us, what it means to be a man or what it means to be a woman. But it all leaves you with that meaningless feeling. Cause what happens to men when we loose our jobs? We suddenly feel like we have lost ourselves or for women, when your kids no longer need you or that boyfriend says your not good enough, then what? Who are you? What was it all for? What will be the next temporal fix?

Ecclesiastes 1:1b-3,9

"“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?......What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."

We just keep jumping to the next thing and the next thing and on and on. When does it all stop? We can read "The Purpose Driven Life" all we want or whatever other "self-help" book there is out there, but if it doesn't point us in this direction we gain nothing! How many have read these books years ago and are still trying to find their reason for living? Or they think they found it in a hobby or an occupation but when that's gone....then what? And how many have sat at the feet of Jesus, heard His words and know why they're here?

You see; God is eternal and unmovable. If who we are is found in Him then guess what our identity will be; eternal and unmovable.

I will end with this. Revelation 4:11: 

“You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”