Most of us contend too hard. We're driven, controlling, perhaps even obsessed, and yet is that the way God intended for us to live. The Teacher saw the same thing, and his conclusions should cause us to rethink our position.
I have seen something else under the sun:
The race is not to the swift
or the battle to the strong,
nor does food come to the wise
or wealth to the brilliant
or favor to the learned;
but time and chance happen to them all. - Eccl. 9:11 NIV
So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun. - Eccl. 8:15 NIV
Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun— all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. - Eccl. 9:7-10 NIV
One phrase stands out. 'for it is NOW that God favors what you do.' Live life with gusto, the Teacher says, then you will find the joy God intended for his creation. I'm reminded of the words of that old chorus: 'This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.' This is the day!
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