Ecclesiastes 1:1-2

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

Thanks for joining me as we journey through the fascinating book of Ecclesiastes. This book was written by King Solomon, a man who had everything the world could offer. Wisdom, wealth, power, pleasure—you name it, Solomon had it. If he wanted something he didn’t have, he could order it up like we would order an overnight shipment on Amazon. 

And yet, the man who had it all concluded he had nothing at all. He determined that life’s possessions and pursuits were “vanity of vanities.” A search for anything worthwhile came to a screeching stop at the dead end of meaningless. The Hebrew word for “vanity” is hebel. It means a “breath” or “vapor.” Life is like a breeze that blows on your face. The puff of wind is quickly experienced, leaving little trace that it was ever there.  

But Solomon’s journey is not hopeless. His questions and quests drive him to look deeper than the things this world can offer. At the end of his spiritual digging, he hits divine bedrock. God is the foundation of meaning, purpose, and eternal life. God’s love delivered his Son to the cross where our sins were paid in full. The answer to life’s confusion and struggles is Jesus. We will find him throughout this book. I trust you have found him and call him, Lord. 

Heavenly Father, I bring all my questions, searches, confusion, and doubt, and lay them before you. (Take the time to do that right now). Even when I know Jesus, I can still run after the things the world presents as compelling and attractive. I so easily fall for the fake. Forgive me. (Take time to ask God to forgive you for chasing the things of the world). Your Word is clear that temporal things rust, rot, and decay. Even when I finally grasp what I have been chasing, the emptiness doesn’t go away. So, today give me the focus and strength to pursue the eternal—where you are. 

In Jesus’ name. Amen.