Devotion

Theme: Toils of Vanity
Text:  Ecclesiastes 2:18-23

18 Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. 20 Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun. 21 For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; yet he must leave his [h]heritage to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22 For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? 23 For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.

Labour in itself isn’t bad, for we have been admonished, he who has not labored must not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). However, if in laboring you forget essential things at the expense of that labour, it will not give you a happy ending. Solomon in all his wisdom wrote the text for our consideration. Indeed all carnal desires are vanity. He had toiled and acquired much but is disheartened because, he can’t tell what the future holds for all his labour. Beloved, God has entrusted children in your care to raise. How well are you doing that? In verses 18 and 19, he made a profound statement and asked a question; 18 Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. Parents leave inheritance for their children before they die, but how well have they trained their children to take after them and manage those resources effectively? Rehoboam succeeded king Solomon but his folly made him to lose his reign over Israel to Jeroboam and was limited to reign over only Judah (1 Kings 12:1-20). As a parent, you need to train your children in the fear of the Lord for they will not depart from it as they grow.

Just as you strive to satisfy your carnal desire, do make time to as well develop your relationship with God for it is useful to your soul. Your wealth cannot redeem you after death or on the Glorious Day of the Lord. You cannot pay a ransom for the salvation of your soul for it is costly (Psalm 49:6-9). Beloved in the Lord, a false balance is an abomination unto the Lord (Proverbs 20:10). You need to balance yourself well so as not perish. In the verse 21, Solomon asked what has man for his labour and the striving of his heart under the sun? All you have acquired will not last forever. The Psalmist in Psalm 49:11 and 12 said, “Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever., their dwelling places to all generations; They call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man, though in honour does not remain; he is like the beast that perish”. Submit to God and become zealous for his works. You will find divine rest with the Lord than in your labour.

Prayer: I’ve toiled enough but my heart has not inclined to Your will. Savior Jesus, I’m calling out to You today to save me from all carnal desires and labour that I may devote myself for Your glory even now and forever more in Your name. AMEN!