Better (W1D3) Chasing the Wind
Note: We apologize for the delay in getting you the daily devotions for this week. This is devotion 3 of 3 you will receive today. After this we will be back on schedule.
Week 1. Wednesday: Chasing the Wind
PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word.
READ: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
1 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. 2 “Laughter,” I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?” 3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives. 4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart. 9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. 10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil.
11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.
UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words
Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words.
Make a list of the key words/phrases and think about what they mean.
Snapshot: In this passage Solomon tell us about all of the possessions and accomplishments he attained in an effort to find out what makes people happy. Ultimately Solomon found out that possessions and accomplishments do not satisfy. They bring temporary happiness but not lasting joy.
Takeaway: Created things can never provide what only the Creator can provide.
APPLY: What is this passage calling me to do?
What created things have you been chasing? How do those things drive your life?
Do those things make you happy or leave you wanting more?
PRAY: Ask God to help you stop chasing things and chase after Him.
