Read Ecclesiastes 9:1-12
It’s sad to think about those people who share Solomon’s mindset in terms of death. They see death as the end–so you better live it up while you have breath! How tragic. No wonder so many people fear death.
When we experience death of a loved one, the mourning can be one of the hardest things we ever go through. I think of several friends who have lost their spouses in the last couple years. In each case, grief has taken a toll on these faithful people. Thankfully, God’s word is packed with passages to help us find hope, peace, and strength.
Here’s a great promise from Revelation 21:4 about our eternal home. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” That verse really helped me when my mother passed away. For years her body was ravaged by residual pain from polio and then cancer. She was able to leave all of that behind when she claimed her spot in heaven, her eternal home.
Solomon gets this part about death right when he says, “The same destiny ultimately awaits everyone, whether righteous or wicked, good or bad, ceremonially clean or unclean, religious or irreligious.” We will all die at some point. However, the final destination for believers is the presence of God for eternity! If Solomon had been aware of that truth, this book of Ecclesiastes would look a lot different.
We know Jesus’ promises to us about death, and yet it is still unknown how it all works. People who like to control everything (like me) tend to have a hard time with navigating the unknown. Death is something I no longer fear, and the older I get, the more curious I become about what will happen next.
Trust. It comes down to trust for us believers. After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he tells us Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” (John 11:25). Do you believe and trust Jesus’ words?
Rather than focus on something that will happen “one day” to us all, Solomon does shed some wisdom here. He tells us to enjoy our lives. After all, God has given us the gift of life, we should experience all that we can to delight in this gift. Do you do something each day to celebrate life?
Maybe for you that’s going on an adventure or rekindling relationships. Maybe it’s curling up with a good book, singing praise songs, or spending time in nature. There may be a lot of crazy stuff going on in the world around us, but we can always find beauty in God’s creation as a reason to celebrate.
Be intentional today about celebrating life and the freedom you have in Christ.
Let’s pray. Father God, thank you for the gift of life. The majesty of your creation includes me! Help me to be a good steward of all that you have given me. Forgive me for taking you for granted at times because I know you are always there. I want to be more involved in growing a relationship with you. Continue to open my eyes to the truths you have hidden in Scripture. I love exploring your Word for your messages to me. May I continue to shine for you each day that you give me air in my lungs. Thank you for my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
