today's meditation (Ec.11) Gaining Purpose and Perspective

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Ecclesiastes 11:1-10)

Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. 2 Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth. 3 If the clouds are full, they pour out rain on the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies. 4 One who watches the wind will not sow and one who looks at the clouds will not harvest. 5 Just as you do not know the path of the wind, and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes everything.

6 Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether one or the other will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.

7 The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun. 8 Indeed, if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be futility.

9 Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. 10 So remove sorrow from your heart and keep pain away from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

In our wisdom, we should learn from the past, and be prepared for both the present and the future, emotionally, physically and financially.  First of all, we should never just throw up our hands and do nothing because we think our efforts will be a waste.  If we don't do anything, we are guaranteed to produce nothing; so we do need to make a good effort.  Secondly, when we do produce income and results, we should not squander, because we do not know what the future will bring.  These are all very practical things we need to practice in order to live and not be a burden on others.

Most importantly, in wisdom, we should be prepared spiritually.  For all eternity, our efforts, strength and resources cannot do anything for us, it is only through Jesus Christ that we can be saved and have eternal life.  And once we are a child of God, while here on earth, He wants to help us and guide us into a life of prosperity, peace and joy.

Therefore, in wisdom, we should realize that everything we earn and produce here on earth is a gift from God, but even with that, these things will be left behind when we die.  So our trust should be in the Lord, and not in our own efforts, strength and resources.  There will be struggles, and by putting the Lord first in our lives, it will be God who helps us.  We may not understand how God is working out all the details, but He will give us purpose and perspective.