Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. – Ecclesiastes 9:7
“For everything there is a season… A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). While the writer explains in this well-known passage that God is sovereign, he expresses the frustration: “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity!” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). A generation comes, and a generation goes, but basically “there is nothing new under the sun” (vv. 4, 9).
The writer gives some advice, which commentator Tremper Longman II describes as the “carpe diem” passages. Seize the day – “Eat and drink and find enjoyment in [your] toil” (2:24). But to him, it is still vanity, a vapor.
In his book 31 Days to Happiness, David Jeremiah writes, “Unbelievers live sad half-lives… there is no reward, there is no motivation, no future, no genuine love or even hate… they finish their time under the sun and face only darkness. Believers, however, can live now in the fullest sense. We can do good things, enjoy life, and embrace hope under the sun.” Focused on the life to come in heaven, your outlook can be joyful on this earth.
Today’s verse is not just advice but an imperative. Dr. Jeremiah suggests that you “eat every meal as if at a banquet” because it is a time to acknowledge God’s provision. With a merry heart celebrate each day, for it is a gift from God. “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
As a believer, you can set the tone for the day. Be the light in the darkness. Then, pray for those believers who walk the halls of government, that they shine brightly for the Lord.
Today’s Verse: Ecclesiastes 9:7
Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
