5 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“Rejoice, young person, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. And walk in the ways of your heart and in the desire of your eyes; but know that for all of these things God will bring you to judgment.”
Ecclesiastes 11:9 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Should you give up having fun when you choose to follow Jesus? Some Christians make it seem that way. But such a notion is antithetical to the teachings of Scripture.
In an article I wrote three days ago (“April 21: Confession and Happiness”), I referenced the book, “Happiness,” by Randy Alcorn. I cannot recommend that book highly enough. It is an in-depth study on the topic of happiness and digs into questions like, “Is God happy?” and “Does God want us to be happy?”
The author shows from Scripture that God is overwhelmingly happy and desires for the climax of His creation, men and women, to be happy, too. The author reveals that while God wants us to find our primary source of happiness in Him, there are endless sources of secondary happiness.
That’s what we see in the verse I have chosen for today. Solomon encouraged young people to enjoy life … within reason.
Ecclesiastes 11:9 (CSB): “Rejoice, young person, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. And walk in the ways of your heart and in the desire of your eyes; but know that for all of these things God will bring you to judgment.”
Solomon, led by the Holy Spirit to write these words, encouraged young people to enjoy life, to pursue the things that their heart and eyes wanted to do. But, he qualified his comments by reminding young people about the judgment. So, he told them to enjoy life without engaging in what is sinful.
This is great counsel for young and old alike. Pursue holiness but have fun doing it. Realize that God is happy and desires that we be happy, too. So, pursue Christlikness and happiness simultaneously.
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Lord Jesus, the Bible makes it clear that You are a happy God. It also makes it clear that while there will be trouble in this world, You want me to have a happy disposition. You even command me to think on only those thoughts that would seem to create happiness (Philippians 4:8). I don’t want to be a hypocrite and pretend to be happy when I’m not. But, I pray that You would help me to enjoy the life You’ve given me so that I can demonstrate that following You satisfies our heart’s desire. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 