Ecclesiastes 1
As times passes, we’ll inevitably begin to experience more physical aches and pains. But disappointments can leave us feeling old in spirit at any age. In today’s passage, we find a disheartened Solomon bemoaning how meaningless his existence has become. The king who was once unsurpassed in wisdom has tragically allowed worldly ideals and pursuits to distort his priorities. And as a result, he’s become dissatisfied with life.
What Solomon didn’t realize is that our focus determines our level of satisfaction. Those who stay young in spirit continually look for evidence of the Almighty—ways that He’s working, providing, loving, and guiding. Without this perspective, the pain and problems of life take center stage, which can then lead to discouragement and grumbling.
These are burdens that believers are not meant to bear. Jesus Christ invites the weary and heavy-laden to come to Him and find rest (Matthew 11:28-30). Our Savior is the solution for everything that weighs us down, but we must let Him carry it for us.
What are you hauling around that is aging your body, soul, and spirit? Whether you’re burdened by unforgiveness, regret, guilt, or something else, cast it is on God, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
Our culture is obsessed with youth. The marketplace is flooded with products promising better health, fewer wrinkles, and stronger bodies. But these will only scratch the surface of our aging problem. Unless death intervenes, growing old is inevitable. Living as if we’re old, however, is a choice. We can be young in soul and spirit, regardless of our chronological age.
Today’s passage tells us that when a righteous man is firmly planted in the Lord (Ps. 92:13), he’ll become fruitful in things that last into eternity. Believers are never to retire from bearing fruit; we’re to continually abide in Christ so we can do the work He’s given us to accomplish (John 15:4, Ephesians 2:10).
Even when we walk with Christ, our bodies may grow physically weaker in our latter years. But we can have the confidence and stability that come only from growing strong in faith. Each year is an opportunity to trust God more and rely wholly on His Word.
Staying young while growing old begins with your mind. Never stop listening to the Father and learning from His Word. Allow godly thinking to shape your attitude. Be thankful, never stop laughing, and rejoice in your Lord. Above all, keep believing and loving Him with all your heart.
Throughout the Bible, God commands His people to obey Him. But submission doesn’t come naturally to us because we’re all born with a rebellious spirit. We must be taught to obey the Lord, and we begin to understand how to yield through interactions with people in authority over us.
The most common place for learning obedience is the home. Today’s passage tells children to honor and obey their mother and father (Eph. 6:1-2). God planned that our earliest experiences of authority would involve submitting to parents who love and care for us. Through their admonitions and discipline, we learn what it takes to master our rebellious spirit.
At every stage of life, God places us under leaders, whether parents, teachers, coaches, employers, or governing officials (Romans 13:1-2). Of course, like all of humanity, these people were born into sin, so they’ll make mistakes and sometimes treat us unfairly—but they’re still His instruments. Whether or not we approve of how we’re ruled, people in these roles teach us the value of obedience and the consequences of disobedience.
We often balk at the idea of answering to someone else. But it helps to realize that the ultimate goal is to obey the Lord—and that God’s commands are for our good (Deuteronomy 10:12-13).
Following God can sometimes feel like a balancing act between a spirit of resolve and a spirit of deference. Consider Abraham, to whom God said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac … and offer him there as a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:2). Abraham was so resolute and devoted to God’s instructions that he built an altar, tied Isaac to it, and actually raised a knife over his son’s body. Can you imagine being this sure of God’s plans, even when they appear awful? At the same time, Abraham remained open—the moment the angel of the Lord told him to stop, He yielded.
As believers, we want to remain focused on the Lord’s call, and yet we must do so with both flexibility and sensitivity to His voice. By listening and responding to His Spirit, we can be sure we’re participating in building His kingdom on earth, no matter what path He chooses for us. At the end of the day, the goal is cling to Him, not to plans themselves.
Have you ever comforted people going through a hard time by reminding them of the marvelous truth of Romans 8:28? Most of us are quick to quote this verse to others, but how often do we claim it for ourselves? What happens when we’re the ones going through a difficult season of life?
Proclaiming faith in the truths and promises of the Bible is not the same as applying them to our own life in the midst of trying times. It’s one thing to know Scripture intellectually, but it’s something else to live by faith. And disappointments are great opportunities to put our faith into action. Since God always works them for our benefit, they’re actually proof that He loves us. Our heavenly Father actively oversees our lives, and difficulties are one way we’re shaped into the likeness of Christ.
We can profit from hard circumstances by growing in faith, wisdom, character, and knowledge of the Lord. Even though God’s best may not turn out to be what we hoped or wanted, He has promised to work everything out for our good. It’s helpful to remember that He is more interested in the eternal value of our spiritual growth than in our temporary relief from difficulty.
