Ecclesiastes 6 - Positively Depressing

Sometimes you need to hear the bad news to appreciate the good news.

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Definitions of key terms in Ecclesiastes which make it much easier to understand.

Ecclesiastes 6 Summary

This book seems really depressing, doesn't it.

A stillborn child has it better than a man who lives many years???

Don't fall into this trap of thinking that Ecclesiastes is a morbid waste of time! Understanding what God is telling you here is key to living a satisfying, worthwhile life that has true meaning.

But in v8 the Preacher writes, what advantage has the wise man over the fool?... It's all vanity and a striving after the wind.

Yet this is exactly what you need to know. You will never find happiness, satisfaction or shalom (true peace) by looking for it under the sun. You might find bits of these things here and there, but if you're not familiar with Ecclesiastes you'll never be able to fully enjoy them because you'll be so preoccupied with looking for more.

More importantly, know that it's pointless to set your hopes on anything under the sun. Although Ecclesiastes teaches many valuable, practical life lessons, it's primary purpose is to point you to the one who's been exalted far above the sun.

Dig Deeper

One of the worst things in this grievous world is to not enjoy what you have when you have it (v1).

Remember what your purpose in life is. You were created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (Westminster Shorter Catechism, QA 1).

Learn to recognize the wealth, possessions, and honor that God has given you (v2), knowing that you need to overcome your wandering appetite so the sight of your eyes becomes visible to you (v9).

The best way you can thank God is to fully enjoy and appreciate these good things! Stop constantly focusing on how to make things better and make the time to take pleasure in what you've been given right now, because it may not last for long.

AAA Prayer:

ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father is the God who gives wealth, possessions and honor (v2)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that God will give you the power to enjoy these good things.
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: