Ecclesiastes 8:15 So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.
The book of Ecclesiastes can be challenging. It can feel heavy and depressing since you see the repetitive statement of “meaningless” and “nothing new under the sun.” But though there is a sense of hopelessness in much of the words of the Teacher, there is also great hope and joy. He moves from a total sense of hopelessness to a place where his joy is abundant. Today’s verse is one of those nuggets of joy contained within this book.
We know that life doesn’t always do what we expect or want. It is often unfair and feels meaningless. But we are promised that God richly supplies us with things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). We are not meant to toil endlessly with no hope and no future. God has better plans for us than that. He wants us to be blessed and filled with joy. The Teacher in Ecclesiastes (some sources attribute the book to Solomon) tells us that there is nothing better for us than to eat, drink, and be glad. We are meant to enjoy our lives, to find joy in the little things each and every day.
And when we enjoy eating, drinking, and experiencing life, we are told joy will accompany us. How encouraging is that? We will have joy overflowing from within us, the joy of the Lord that He has filled us with and uses to bless others in the same way we were blessed.
Today let’s remember to focus on the blessings in our lives. Focus on the things that He has given us and provided. And experience the joy that will accompany you as you go about your day.
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