INTRODUCTION

The book of Ecclesiastes contains documentation of Solomon’s examination of life apart from God. He examined the worth of subjects like happiness, wealth, labour, and death. In the end, he concluded that life "under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
See All...) was vanity. The word vanity means empty or meaningless. Solomon is not the only person in the Bible to declare the vanity of life. David, the father of Solomon, declared that "every man at his best state is altogether vanity" (Psalm 39:5Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
See All...). He added that if both men of high and low degree were laid in a balance together, they would be "lighter than vanity" (Psalm 62:9Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
See All...). Life void of God is meaningless regardless of worldly accomplishments.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Solomon learned that only by trusting in God could he be happy (Proverbs 16:20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
  See All...). Only through God’s word can we understand why the world is full of sickness, sorrow, pain, evil, etc. (Psalm 119:130The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
  See All...a). If God left us here, we'd be miserable (1 Corinthians 15:19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
  See All...). But He has promised to come for us (John 14:1-3 [1] Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
  See All...).
• If there were no God, what would be the purpose of things like labour and love? What would be the purpose of life and death? How can we ensure that our life is not vain?
• Read Revelation 4:11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
  See All.... For what purpose was man created? What happens when a person fails to do what he was created to do? Are you fulfilling your purpose in life? If not, why?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to give your life meaning.
• Ask the Lord to show you the vanity of this world.

HYMN

Almighty Maker of My Frame

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