December 6, 2020

UPDATE: December 6th will be the final online devotional for the time being. At some point in the future, Champion Forest Baptist Church online devotionals may resume.

The title of the book in the Old Testament we refer to as Ecclesiastes comes from the Septuagint (LXX) which uses the Greek word ekklesiastes. The word means “preacher” and refers to the one who gathers an assembly of people and speaks to them. Solomon is accepted as the author of Ecclesiastes by most scholars. In the first verse he refers to himself as “the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” Additionally, he says he is, “king over Israel in Jerusalem” (1:12), and “besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge.” (12:9).  Solomon was known as the son of King David (1 Kings 3), the third king over the united kingdom of Israel, and for unmatched wisdom in the land (1:16). The book can be dated around 930 B.C. because it was most likely composed in Solomon’s latter years.

Even though Solomon did not initially ask for long life, wealth, or the death of his enemies, but for wisdom to govern the people of Israel, God granted both.  However, even though he knew better, he acted foolishly by taking many wives and worshipping other gods. He became selfish and apathetic towards God. Ecclesiastes is autobiographical as the old king reflects on his many foolish decisions and empty pursuits. He concludes that life without God and the pursuit of pleasure is all “vanity.” He warns subsequent generations to avoid the same mistakes he made and that a life lived without God is futile and meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 12

Remember Your Creator in Your Youth

1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; 2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, 3 in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, 4 and the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low— 5 they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets— 6 before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, 7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. 8 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.

Fear God and Keep His Commandments

9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.

11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Reflection:

  • Solomon’s life is coming to a close and he summarizes the important musings of the book. He has talked about the vanity of living without consideration for God. Without God, life is selfish and self-serving. The pursuit of pleasure will ultimately leave you empty. Seeking God is what makes life meaningful.
  • Don’t waste your life and only get serious about God when your life is coming to a close. Remember God throughout your life (v. 1).
  • The evil days are not referring to evil living, but rather the end of life when the body is deteriorating. Now is the time to lean into God, whatever age you are. Now is the time to seek God with all of your heart.
  • Solomon give a stark picture of the aging process. Once strong men are bent, the grinders (teeth) are few, the view through the windows is dim, and the bowl, pitcher, and wheel are broken.  All of these metaphors describe the journey from this life into eternity. The spirit returns to God.
  • Solomon’s conclusion to his reflection on life is beautifully summed up in verses 13 and 14. Fear God and keep his commandments. If you do this, then you will have no fear of the judgement that is yet to come. Believe in Jesus, God’s son, and trust in him alone for salvation and righteousness. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).”

Prayer: Glorious Lord, I lift my heart to you in praise and adoration. You are holy and worthy of praise and honor and glory! I thank you for your mercy and grace and the kindness you have shown to me. I thank you for forgiving me of my sin and calling me into your forever family. Help me to live for you and not for myself. Enable me, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to live a life that pleases you and help me to seek you with all of my heart. Let my testimony of faith bring hope and good news to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

We encourage everyone to have a daily time in God’s word. There are many devotionals available that can help in spending time with Jesus every day.  Any devotional is just meant to be a tool to help you read and reflect on God’s word and to encounter Jesus every day. Below are some biblically sound devotional resources you might consider.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26 ESV).

10 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-December 6th”

    1. Amen, I will miss this too. Having these devotionals we had every day opened my eyes to know my Lord and Savior. It helped me to become closer to my Lord.

  2. Dear Heavenly Father,
    With the conclusion of these series, I feel I am facing another challenge once again, another period of uncertainty of the future. The world and our country is in turmoil, my personal life has been turned upside down and our church is in reconstruction with a new coming pastor. With these daily devotions I could feel a sense of peace and connection with God’s word better than I have ever felt. This quiet time in the morning will be spent with another book or series perhaps but it won’t be the same. However, I know it is up to me now to step up to the plate and continue on, to not falter. I want to thank whomever prepared these daily devotions with all my heart. They have lifted me up, enlightened my knowledge and given me a blessing and courage to carry on another day. May God bless you and keep you and guide and protect our loved ones and country in the coming year and forever. In Jesus’ most precious and holy name. Amen

  3. Father,

    On my own, I cannot approach your throne room. But LORD, you are filled with grace and mercy.

    I humbly bow, and ask you to forgive me, for I am such a sinner. Your son covered me with his blood.

    I am forgiven. Oh halleluiah, I am saved, I am saved, I am saved.

    I choose to serve a risen Savior, accept him today, do not delay.

    We all will stand before the judgment seat. May the LORD give us a vision standing before him.

    Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

    Father, have mercy on the wanderers in my life.

    Jesus, lift them by name to your Father.

    Amen

  4. Lord Jesus I love the phrase “But God…” when I feel things coming to an end “But God”. You have always come through. You have always been here with me even when I did not know You. You were there loving me. I stand now before You and wait to see what You will do next. And I say Praise to God in the highest. For Jesus my Savior is coming. Amen and Amen.

  5. My morning devotional will not be the same without this daily series from CFBC. Steadiness and consistency is so important. I will miss the comments by my fellow devotional readers. I pray that God will provide the right replacement for this devotional.

  6. Thank you Lord for the reminder that life is short, but you have given us enough time to do your will. Help me not rebel, but to join you where I see you working, and enjoy every moment because it is you I serve, In Jesus’ name I pray.

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