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January 25, 2022 7:00 pm
In the tenth century, Abd al-Rahman was the ruler of Cordoba, in Spain. After fifty years of successful reign (“beloved by my subjects, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies”), al-Rahman took a deeper look at his life. “Riches and honors, power and pleasure, have waited on my call,” he said of his privileges. But when he counted how many days of genuine happiness he’d had during that time, they amounted to just fourteen. How sobering.
The writer of Ecclesiastes was also a man of riches and honor (Ecclesiastes 2:7–9), power and pleasure (1:12; 2:1–3). And his own life evaluation was equally sobering. Riches, he realized, just led to a desire for more (5:10–11), while pleasures accomplished little (2:1–2), and success could be due to chance as much as ability (9:11). But his assessment didn’t end as bleakly as al-Rahman’s. Believing God was his ultimate source of happiness, he saw that eating, working, and doing good could all be enjoyed when done with Him (2:25; 3:12–13).
“O man!” al-Rahman concluded his reflections, “place not thy confidence in this present world!” The writer of Ecclesiastes would agree. Since we have been made for eternity (3:11), earthly pleasures and achievements won’t satisfy by themselves. But with Him in our lives, genuine happiness is possible in our eating, working, and living.
Surety Boise and thank you for joining me for this word of encouragement from the elderly, but devotional life total. Today's reading true happiness in the 10th century, Abdul Rahman, the third was the ruler of Córdoba, Spain. After 50 years of successful reign, beloved by my subjects dreaded by my enemies and respected by my allies all Rahman took a deeper look at his life. Riches and honors power and pleasure have wasted on my call. He said of his privileges. But when he counted how many days of genuine happiness. It had during that time they amounted to just 14 how sobering the writer of Ecclesiastes was also a man of riches and honor, power and pleasure in his own life evaluation was equally sobering riches, he realized just little desire for more while pleasures accomplish little and success could be due to chance as much as ability, but his assessment didn't and as bleakly as all Rahman's believing God was his ultimate source of happiness. He sold it, eating, working and doing good could will be enjoyed when done with him over men all Rahman concluded his reflections place not by confidence in this present world. The writer of Ecclesiastes would agree, since we've been made for eternity earthly pleasures and achievements when satisfied by themselves but with him in our lives. Genuine happiness is possible in our eating, working and living today's Scripture reading is from Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verses 9 to 14 what the work is gained from the toil I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart. Yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they leave that each of them might eat and drink and find satisfaction in older toil.
This is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will enjoy forever. Nothing can be added to it. Nothing taken from it. God doesn't so that people will fear him. Let's pray heavenly father we bring our day to you now with all of its beauty and its ordinariness.
We want to find happiness in you and with you today. We will eat and work and live with you by our side, enjoying every moment of it as a precious gift from you.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread ministries
