June 27, 2025 - Ecclesiastes 7-12

In the end, Solomon reaches two conclusions.  The first:  Enjoy and be content in what God has given us, for example, as seen in these verses:  “Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.  Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (9:9,10) & “In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good" (11:6).  The second:  “Fear God and keep his commandments,” (11:13).  In short, love the Lord and obey him, and do whatever he gives us to do.

God of our life, through all the circling years,

we trust in you;

in all the past, through all our hopes and fears,

your hand we view.

With each new day, when morning lifts the veil,

we own your mercies, Lord, which never fail.

God of the past, our times are in your hand;

with us abide.

Lead us by faith, to hope’s true Promised Land;

be now our guide.

With you to bless, the darkness shines as light,

and faith’s fair vision changes into sight.   --Hugh Thomson Kerr (1916)