Read Ecclesiastes 5:18–20
Questions from the Scripture text: How does Ecclesiastes 5:18 introduce the conclusion? What two adjectives does it apply to what three things? Where does man labor? But Who gives him his life? What do that goodness and that life constitute? What other six gifts from God does Ecclesiastes 5:19 mention? What will a man who receives these as gifts from Him not do (Ecclesiastes 5:20)? Why not; what keeps him busy?
How do we get joy? Ecclesiastes 5:18–20 looks forward to the call to worship in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that joy is a gift that God adds to His other gifts.
Joy cannot be obtained directly from food, drink, labor, or wealth. The enjoying of good is a portion (NKJ “heritage,” Ecclesiastes 5:18) from God, and rejoicing in labor is the gift of God (Ecclesiastes 5:19). It is God that gives him the joy of his heart (Ecclesiastes 5:20).
So, the key to lastingly worthwhile living is not the obtaining of things, but the receiving of those things as gifts from God.
In our fleshliness, we may think that attaining to high positions, or accumulating many possessions, make life better, more significant, or more happy. But, even food and drink are true blessings when received as a gift from God. Labor and toil, and what they produce, are true blessings when received as a gift from God (Ecclesiastes 5:19). And the power to eat of it, to receive it as a portion from God, and rejoice in it—these are all gifts from God.
When received this way, the darkness and sorrow and anger (Ecclesiastes 5:17) of “dwelling unduly” on the brevity and fruitlessness of one’s life are replaced by joy of heart that is being given by the Lord (Ecclesiastes 5:20).
How rich and joyous is life when received as your assigned portion from God! What grief men unnecessarily bring upon themselves, when they push down on the knowledge of God, and live a life that is limited to what’s under the sun.
How are you receiving your food as a gift from God? How are you receiving your drink as a gift from God? How are you receiving your labor as a gift from God? How are you receiving its productivity as a gift from God? How are you receiving your wealth as a gift from God? What joy do you have in these things? How are you receiving that joy as a gift from God?
Sample prayer: Lord, You have given us every good and perfect gift: our food, our drink, our labor, our life, and the ability to enjoy them all truly. Grant that we would not only enjoy Your good gifts, but that we would enjoy Your goodness, and indeed enjoy You Yourself. So, help us by Your Spirit, to glorify and enjoy You, we ask through Your Son, our Lord Jesus, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am with You” or TPH429 “Come, Thou Fount of Ev’ry Blessing”