Devotional - May 13, 2026
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1: 1-2 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
The writer of Ecclesiastes, as it says in the text, is a preacher. The Hebrew has a deeper flavor, it means gatherer. One who gathers people to share with them the theological and philosophical insights he has gathered. We surmise from the text that he is old and he is now looking back and sharing what he has concluded about life and the world. Uplifting and positive are not among one's first, second, or for that matter, ever -impressions, one gleans from his outlook on life. But, it is interesting that he chooses to use the word we translate as vanity. In some translations, they use the word meaningless or futile. I wish they wouldn't because it gets you to the end result without telling you how you got there, and that I believe is the most important part. The word that is being translated means breath, vapor, or that which quickly dissipates. It's there, and then it is gone. How many of us look around our house, or better in our closets, or in the basement in boxes, and we see all those things which we had to buy. Now! With them, our life would be complete. We were sure they would change things for the better. It may even have been a relationship or job. Once received, ...the newness dwindled as reality set in and ...poof, the magic was gone. The preacher is sizing his life up and is overwhelmed by all the vain pursuits it entails. Maybe you don't have this problem, if you don't, consider yourself blessed. But for those of us who do, I hope you can consider some of your vanity, fleeting as it was, with a smile. We tip many windmills and chase a lot of wild geese in our days, but it's not all bad. It means we had dreams, good dreams, high and lofty dreams, that were simply beyond us, but at least we wanted it. Or, we did it, but with different results than we expected. I believe God appreciates our intentions, or dreams, our attempts at making the world a better place. The world that God made and loves. Fleeting as they may have been, we would of, if we could of, and that's as far as it got, but not necessarily in vain. Even if our attempt failed or the pursuit of our dream never came to be. God sees and appreciates your heart (1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Chronicles 29:17), your intention, and that takes the vanity out of the equation.
Pray with me..., Holy God, thank You for appreciating the things I had hoped to accomplish and do for You, even now. Thank You for judging my heart and not always my actions or results. Thank You for all the blessings You have given me over the years. Hear my prayer for my loved ones. I ask Your blessing upon them and upon our church. Help us Lord to be the people You call us to be, in Jesus name, Amen.
God's peace,
Pastor Brian
