Daily Devotionals

'Every Day Light' with Selwyn Hughes

Devotional: August 24th

For Reading and Meditation:
     Ecclesiastes 9:1-6

In this chapter Solomon focuses our gaze more clearly on the issues that are "above the sun." Four facts that every believer should know and understand are laid out. The first is everything is in God's hands (v. 1). When I think of myself as being in "God's hands" I feel tremendously reassured. Matters may seem out of control to me, but not to Him. It is true, as Solomon says, that "no man knows whether love or hate awaits him" (v. 1). But when we have God, then nothing will ever confront us that He and we can't handle together. The second fact is the certainty of death (vv. 2-3). Death is a common destiny for all. But how blessed are those whose goals reach beyond death, and who have a settled and assured eternal future with God. Anyone who lives only for time is a fool. The third fact is madness resides in the human spirit (v. 3). Don't expect too much of humanity and you won't be disappointed. One of the best descriptions of sin I know is insanity. It is sheer insanity to think we can run our lives successfully without recourse to God. Yet most of humanity try to do it every day. Utter madness! The last fact is where there's life there's hope (vv. 4-6). "A live dog is better off than a dead lion!" says Solomon (v. 4). Why? Because the king of the jungle when dead has no hope. As long as there's life there's a chance dreams can come true, that plans can be realized, but, above all, that one's eternal destiny can be settled.

Father, I see that along with life comes the presence of hope. Help me now, while I am alive, to know for certain that I will spend eternity with You. I yield myself to You today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.