Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
Some parts of Ecclesiastes can seem like a very bleak read. 'A live dog is better than a dead lion', says the Preacher (verse 4); at least while we're alive we can eat, drink and be cheerful, but when we're dead we're dead.
This is a long way from the Christian hope of eternal life. At this stage in Israel's history there was no developed idea of a life after death. The pessimism of Ecclesiastes – 'the dead know nothing', 'they have no further reward; they are all completely forgotten' clashes sharply with what we might want to say today.
But 'all Scripture is inspired by God' (2 Timothy 3.16), so we don't respond to these verses by simply saying that the Preacher is wrong. Instead, we look for what God might still be saying to us through them today. One clear theme is the need to value the life that we have. As the ancient Latin saying has it, 'carpe diem' – 'seize the day', take every opportunity to live a rich, fulfilling and useful life. For believers, this life involves devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ as we pattern ourselves on him and try to live as he taught us. The Preacher says we're to 'work hard at whatever you do', because in the world of the dead there's 'no action, no thought, no knowledge, no wisdom' (verse 10). For believers today, it's because we are disciples of Jesus and we want to serve him with all our hearts.
God, thank you for the wonderful gift of life, and for the joys I can experience just because I'm alive. Help me to make the very best of what you've given me, living well, happily and usefully for you.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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