“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1:2 KJV
“For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; yet he must leave his heritage to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22 For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? 23 For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 2:21-23 NKJV
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14 NKJV
Father,
Father, today I call You Father as well as Lord because it reminds me that You understand personally what it is like to be human. Your Son experienced the joys and disappointments of life. I do not want to linger in Ecclesiastes for two reasons. One I am reading through the Bible in a year and cannot linger too long in the short books. Secondly this book seems to have been written by someone (Solomon) at the end of their life and not very positive. In fact rather than have a glass half empty as we say he seems to have lost most of that too.
Today we talk about mental health. But it is also about his spiritual health. He has achieved much but also knows his own downfalls and mistakes. And after considering life he comes to the conclusion that regardless of it all he needs to stick with the God, You that have got him this far and trust You to be the one to judge what he has done and not done.
We know we have Jesus to take away the guilt of sin and wrongdoing and like Solomon we know that the only judgement that matters is Yours. We do all we do for an audience of One. Our glasses are full of the water of life. We will pass through judgement safely if we fear You God, keep Your commandments and trust Jesus to keep us . Keep our mental health seeking You and lift us up when we are down.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 12th June 2025
Simply dependent.
Faithful one so unchanging
Ageless one You’re my rock of peace
Lord of all I depend on You
I call out to You again and again
I call out to You again and again
You are my rock in times of trouble
You lift me up when I fall down
All through the storm
Your love is the anchor
My hope is in You alone
Lyrics: Brian Doerksen