April 5 | Bible in a Year: 1 Samuel 1-3; Luke 8:26-56

God’s Presence

[God] has . . . set eternity in the human heart. Ecclesiastes 3:11

READ Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

Monique was struggling. She had friends who were believers in Jesus, and she respected how they handled life’s struggles. She was even a bit jealous of them. But Monique didn’t think she could live the way they did; she thought having faith in Christ was about following rules. Finally, a fellow university student helped her see that God wasn’t out to spoil her life; instead, He wanted the best for her amidst her ups and downs. Once she understood this, Monique was ready to trust Jesus as her Saviour and embrace the magnificent truth about God’s love for her.

King Solomon could have given Monique similar advice. He acknowledged that this world does have its sorrows. Indeed, there’s a “time for everything” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)—“a time to mourn and a time to dance” (v. 4). But there’s more. God “has also set eternity in the human heart” (v. 11). An eternity meant to be lived in His presence.

Monique gained life “to the full”, as Jesus said (John 10:10), when she trusted Him. But she gained so much more! Through faith, the “eternity in [her] heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) became the promise of a future when life’s struggles will be forgotten (Isaiah 65:17) and God’s glorious presence will be an eternal reality.

By Dave Branon

How have you experienced the fulfilling life Jesus offers? What are some things about your life in Him that you’re thankful for?

Dear Jesus, Solomon was right. Life is a rollercoaster. Thank You for making this life valuable and worth the effort. And thank You for the eternal joys that await.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Ecclesiastes is different from other Wisdom Literature books of the Old Testament. It’s filled with scepticism, as life is described in terms that are often dark and cynical. Ecclesiastes contains several key ideas. The word meaningless (1:2) is used repeatedly and means “empty” or “futile.” Another term is under the sun (v. 3). It means “according to this world’s system or values.” Another repeated expression is “chasing after the wind” (v. 14 ). This phrase is a word picture describing “effort expended with no results gained since no one can catch the wind” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary).