DAY 5 — WE'RE NOT ALONE UNDER THE SUN
DAY 5 — WE'RE NOT ALONE UNDER THE SUN
Scripture
Galatians 4:4–6 & Galatians 5:22–23
“God sent forth His Son... so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
Devotional
Solomon could identify the problem.
But centuries later, God revealed the answer.
Jesus.
The sermon ends by moving beyond Ecclesiastes to Paul's words in Galatians. At the right time, God sent His Son to redeem us and bring us into His family. And God sent His Spirit into our hearts so that we could know Him personally as Father.
That means something incredibly important:
We're not alone under the sun.
Christianity isn't simply an answer to the philosophical question, “What's the meaning of life?”
It's an invitation into relationship with the One who gave us life.
And through His Spirit, God begins producing within us something the things we've been chasing could never manufacture:
Love.
Joy.
Peace.
Patience.
Kindness.
Goodness.
Faithfulness.
Gentleness.
Self-control.
Think about that.
Solomon had extraordinary wealth but couldn't purchase peace.
He experienced incredible pleasure but couldn't manufacture lasting joy.
He possessed remarkable wisdom but couldn't save himself.
The things of this world make terrible gods.
But when God becomes the center, those same things can return to their proper place.
Work becomes a gift.
Relationships become a gift.
Possessions become a gift.
Pleasure becomes a gift.
Success becomes a gift.
We don't have to squeeze meaning out of them anymore.
We can simply receive them with gratitude.
That's a very different way to live.
Instead of spending your life chasing the wind, you can walk through this life knowing the God who created it.
Reflect
Which fruit of the Spirit do you most need God to develop in you right now?
What is one good thing you've been asking to carry more weight than it was designed to carry?
What would it look like for you to receive that thing as a gift rather than depend on it as a god?
Prayer
Father, thank You that I am not alone under the sun. Thank You for sending Jesus to redeem me and Your Spirit to live within me. Teach me to find my meaning, identity and security in You. Produce Your fruit in my life and help me receive the good things You've given me with open hands and a grateful heart. Amen.
Today's Step
Take five minutes today and identify five gifts God has given you.
Thank Him for each one.
Then end with this simple prayer:
“God, thank You for the gifts. But most of all, thank You for being the Giver.”
Scripture
Galatians 4:4–6 & Galatians 5:22–23
“God sent forth His Son... so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
Devotional
Solomon could identify the problem.
But centuries later, God revealed the answer.
Jesus.
The sermon ends by moving beyond Ecclesiastes to Paul's words in Galatians. At the right time, God sent His Son to redeem us and bring us into His family. And God sent His Spirit into our hearts so that we could know Him personally as Father.
That means something incredibly important:
We're not alone under the sun.
Christianity isn't simply an answer to the philosophical question, “What's the meaning of life?”
It's an invitation into relationship with the One who gave us life.
And through His Spirit, God begins producing within us something the things we've been chasing could never manufacture:
Love.
Joy.
Peace.
Patience.
Kindness.
Goodness.
Faithfulness.
Gentleness.
Self-control.
Think about that.
Solomon had extraordinary wealth but couldn't purchase peace.
He experienced incredible pleasure but couldn't manufacture lasting joy.
He possessed remarkable wisdom but couldn't save himself.
The things of this world make terrible gods.
But when God becomes the center, those same things can return to their proper place.
Work becomes a gift.
Relationships become a gift.
Possessions become a gift.
Pleasure becomes a gift.
Success becomes a gift.
We don't have to squeeze meaning out of them anymore.
We can simply receive them with gratitude.
That's a very different way to live.
Instead of spending your life chasing the wind, you can walk through this life knowing the God who created it.
Reflect
Which fruit of the Spirit do you most need God to develop in you right now?
What is one good thing you've been asking to carry more weight than it was designed to carry?
What would it look like for you to receive that thing as a gift rather than depend on it as a god?
Prayer
Father, thank You that I am not alone under the sun. Thank You for sending Jesus to redeem me and Your Spirit to live within me. Teach me to find my meaning, identity and security in You. Produce Your fruit in my life and help me receive the good things You've given me with open hands and a grateful heart. Amen.
Today's Step
Take five minutes today and identify five gifts God has given you.
Thank Him for each one.
Then end with this simple prayer:
“God, thank You for the gifts. But most of all, thank You for being the Giver.”
Posted in Daily Devotional