All is Vanity

All is Vanity
By Ruby Punch | Dalhart. Texas.

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher.
“Vanity of vanities! All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity [futile, meaningless—a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes, merely chasing the wind].”
— Ecclesiastes‬ ‭1:2-3‬ ‭

This book is attributed to Solomon, noted for his riches and wisdom.

•He examines the meaning of life.
•He bemoans life’s mundaneness.
•He rails against repetitious years.
•He laments “no new thing.”
•He’s disgusted with lack of futility.
•He points out absence progress.
•He yearns for long legacies.
•He accomplishments disappoint.
•Happiness is allusive.

Solomon drew false conclusions from a viewpoint of fallen humanity:

•No advantage man over beast.
 For the [earthly] fate of the sons of men and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no preeminence or advantage for man [in and of himself] over an animal, for all is vanity. Ecclesiastes 3:19

•Came from/returned to dust.
All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust. Ecclesiastes 3:20

•Live only for today.
So I have seen that there is nothing better than that a man should be happy in his own works and activities, for that is his portion (share). For who will bring him [back] to see what will happen after he is gone? Ecclesiastes 3:22

•Righteousness is detrimental.
Do not be excessively righteous [like those given to self-conceit], and do not be overly wise (pretentious)—why should you bring yourself to ruin? Ecclesiastes 7:16

•Life is eat, drink, mirth, death.
Then I commended pleasure and enjoyment, because a man [without God] has no better thing under the sun than to eat and to drink and to be merry, for this will stand by him in his toil through the days of his life which God has given him under the sun. Ecclesiastes 8:15.

•All humanity ends up in Sheol.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) where you are going. Ecclesiastes 9:10

Then Solomon expressed only hope:
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes ‭12:13-14‬ ‭

Happiness is living for God’s glory!

•We are warned: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John‬ 2:15 -17

Perhaps your life is monotonous. Remember, life’s only purpose is fearing and worshiping God and acknowledging God’s glory.

•The world’s offers brief pleasures.
•Christ offers us everlasting joy.
•Christ brings newness to living:

Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].2 Corinthians 5:17.

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] John 16:33

Apostle Paul explains: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy of being compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”Romans‬ ‭8:14, 18, KJV‬‬

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