Daily Devotions
Ecclesiastes
"That is your portion in life"
Text: Ecclesiastes 9:9
THE FAMILY
In God’s grace and wisdom, He has given to everyone “a family”. We are born into a family. We grow up in a family. There is much to be understood about being a family.
“Live joyfully with the wife whom you love
all the days of your vain life
which He has given you under the sun,
all your days of vanity;
for that is your portion in life,
and in the labour which you perform under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 9:9
1. An unembellished description of life
a) It is called “a vain life”.
b) It is further described as “days of vanity”.
c) The meaning is sobering:
i) We have one short life and it would end in death.
ii) All we do would end up as “vanity”.
iii) This is a reality that can cause some to be in quiet despair.
2. Members of the Family
a) There are always tensions in the family.
i) Mild Disagreements
ii) Sometimes heated quarrels
b) One should determine to “live joyfully” with one”s spouse.
i) It may not be easy.
ii) But every effort should be made.
c) Love would play an important role.
i) Love must be found and exercised.
ii) Love for one’s spouse despite challenges
iii) This love must include all members of the family, though they are not mentioned (aged parents, children etc.).
3. “He has given you… your portion in life”
a) This is a reminder that all we have is a gift from God.
i) Our days on earth
ii) Family members
b) This is a consciousness we must seek to cultivate.
i) We must learn how to treasure what God has given.
ii) Life is too short to waste time on useless quarrels.
4. “And in the labour which you perform under the sun”
a) Thank God for grace to labour under the sun.
b) The work we perform is not without significance.
c) It is good to be aware of God’s hand in our life.
i) He has given us life.
ii) He has also provided a family.
iii) He has given us work to do so that we can provide for the family.
5. A short life on earth
a) Life on earth may last for 80 years or more.
b) But when one looks back, fourscore years is a very short period.
c) Let us learn to live well:
i) Gratefully
ii) Joyfully
iii) Meaningfully
iv) Fruitfully