Ecclesiastes 1:14

I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

There are minor differences between this verse and verse 3.

Ecclesiastes 1:3

What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?

Vese 14 is related to John 3:8 ”The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Verse 3 is more closely aligned with Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Then there is Galatians 6:8 “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

God sowed His Spirit into mankind by faith in Jesus Christ with purpose. The connection between Ecclesiastes 1:3 and 1:14 is seeking. One is everything we desire in life to make us feel fulfilled and the other is seeking to fulfill God’s purpose.

This takes us right back to obedience of faith and the testing of our faith in which we want to see some results for our effort. If we do not see the expected results we begin to have doubts about our ability to hear God and understand His commands. That is human nature.

If we look at the parable of the sower that person sows seed everywhere. Nothing is said about the sower standing and waiting to see if the seed takes root, is watered, is nurtured or even harvested. Faith only asks us to do what we are called to do.

Will he call any one of us to change our task? He might call us to do other things but that is God’s prerogative.

2 Corinthians 9:12

For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

Notice that the needs of the saints are not identified here, just that they exist. Verse 13 identifies that God will be glorified. Insisting on seeing results for our efforts is a form of seeking glory for ourselves and takes us right back to Ecclesiastes 1:14 in chasing after the Spirit.

We can ride the wind but we cannot catch it. Mount up like eagles.

2 Corinthians 11:28

And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

Paul did not walk with Jesus of Nazareth. We do not know for sure if he heard His Lord’s command.

Matthew 6:27

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Jesus asks us not to be anxious about our own life but Paul is anxious about the church.

Philippians 4:6

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Paul got the message and passed it on to us. Anxiety for others leads us to prayer.

We live in uncertain times and there is a fair amount of anxiety about tomorrow. Tomorrow falls in line with Matthew 6:27, do not be anxious about the times. Be anxious for the safety and sanity of others. Pray for others.

There are a good number of people praying for you, just the same as we pray for others.

The good thing about serving this God is that He leaves nothing undone.

Do we believe that? Much of our anxiety centers around what we want to happen, even if it is biblical. We trust God but would prefer seeing a happy ending now rather than later. That is just our flesh wanting our own way.

Ecclesiastes 1

All Is Vanity

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?

It is vanity to want things our own way. Love does not insist on having things its own way.

1 Corinthians 13:5