Living with Joy and Urgency in God's Gifts
Summary
This morning, we reflected on the closing words of Ecclesiastes, a book that doesn’t shy away from the hard realities of life—its brevity, its disappointments, and its inevitable end. Solomon, after exploring every avenue the world offers—wisdom, pleasure, work, wealth, and even religion—concludes that all is vanity when God is pushed to the margins. Yet, in the midst of this sobering honesty, he urges us to see life as a gift, to rejoice in the days we are given, and to live with both joy and urgency.
We are reminded to enjoy God’s gifts while we have them. Life is sweet, and every sunrise, every breath, is a reason for gratitude. Solomon warns us not to wait for perfect circumstances to find joy or to begin living with purpose. Instead, we are to delight in the present, recognizing that both youth and old age are fleeting. The call is to live fully, but with eternity in view, knowing that our choices matter and that we are accountable to our Creator.
As Solomon’s tone shifts from philosopher to father, he pleads with us to remember our Creator before time runs out. The poetic imagery of aging in Ecclesiastes 12 is not meant to depress, but to awaken us to the urgency of turning to God now, not later. Whether young or old, none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. The best day to seek the Lord is today.
Finally, we are pointed beyond the vanity of life to the hope found in Christ. Solomon’s conclusion is that fearing God and keeping His commandments is the whole duty of man, for every deed will be brought into judgment. Yet, we know that only Jesus has perfectly fulfilled this call. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He offers us forgiveness, purpose, and meaning. In Him, our lives are no longer chasing after the wind, but are anchored in hope and significance.
The invitation is clear: enjoy God’s gifts, turn to Him before it’s too late, and trust Jesus to give your life meaning. Don’t drift through life as if it will last forever. Live today with joy, urgency, and purpose, anchored in Christ.
Key Takeaways
- True joy is found in gratitude for God’s daily gifts, not in waiting for perfect circumstances. Life is both beautiful and brief, and the call is to rejoice in the present, even as we acknowledge its limitations. Don’t let the pursuit of an ideal future rob you of the sweetness God offers today. [39:34]
- Accountability to God gives weight to our freedom. While we are encouraged to live fully and pursue what is good, we must remember that our choices have eternal significance. Freedom is not the absence of responsibility, but the opportunity to honor God with our lives. [42:41]
- The urgency of turning to God cannot be overstated. Solomon’s vivid depiction of aging reminds us that time slips away faster than we realize, and the longer we delay, the harder it becomes to return. The best time to seek the Lord is now, before regret and missed opportunities accumulate. [51:49]
- Life’s meaning is not found in accomplishments, pleasure, or even wisdom alone, but in reverence for God and obedience to His commands. This is not a call to legalism, but to a life shaped by awe and worship, knowing that every secret thing will one day be revealed before our Creator. [55:31]
- The gospel is the answer to our inability to live perfectly. Only Jesus has fulfilled the call to fear God and keep His commandments, and through Him, we receive both forgiveness and purpose. In Christ, we are freed from chasing vanity and invited to walk in lasting meaning, anchored in His love and grace. [56:19]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:40] - Opening and Offering
[05:14] - Prayer for Mission Partners and Families
[22:52] - Greetings and Reflections from Honduras
[31:10] - Gratitude for Church Support
[34:06] - Reading Ecclesiastes 11:7–12:14
[38:31] - Three Final Truths from Ecclesiastes
[39:34] - Enjoy God’s Gifts While They Last
[42:41] - Freedom and Accountability
[44:18] - Joy with Eternity in View
[45:40] - Turn to God Before Time Runs Out
[47:13] - The Progression of Aging
[49:07] - Life’s Fragility and Our Creator
[52:26] - Trust Jesus to Give Your Life Meaning
[55:31] - The Whole Duty of Man
[56:19] - The Gospel and Lasting Purpose
[57:58] - Living with Joy, Urgency, and Purpose
[01:01:43] - Invitation and Response
[01:08:18] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Ecclesiastes 11:7–12:14
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### Bible Reading
Ecclesiastes 11:7–12:14 (ESV)
> 7 Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.
> 8 So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.
> 9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
> 10 Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
> 12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;
> ...
> 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.
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### Observation Questions
1. What are some of the poetic images Solomon uses in Ecclesiastes 12 to describe the process of aging? ([47:13])
2. According to the passage, what does Solomon say is the “whole duty of man”? ([55:31])
3. How does Solomon describe the relationship between joy and the reality of life’s brevity? ([39:34])
4. What warning does Solomon give about delaying turning to God? ([51:49])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Solomon urges people to “remember your Creator in the days of your youth”? What does he want us to avoid by doing this? ([45:40])
2. How does the reality of accountability to God shape the way we should use our freedom and make choices? ([42:41])
3. In what ways does Solomon’s conclusion about fearing God and keeping His commandments point us beyond ourselves to our need for Christ? ([56:19])
4. How does the sermon explain the difference between enjoying God’s gifts and chasing after vanity? ([39:34])
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### Application Questions
1. Solomon says not to wait for perfect circumstances to find joy. Is there an area of your life where you’re waiting for things to improve before you allow yourself to be grateful or joyful? What would it look like to rejoice in the present, even if it’s imperfect? ([39:34])
2. The sermon talks about living with both joy and urgency. What is one practical way you can live with more urgency for God this week, knowing that life is brief? ([45:40])
3. Are there any gifts from God—relationships, health, opportunities—that you’ve been taking for granted? How can you intentionally enjoy and thank God for them this week? ([39:34])
4. Solomon warns that the longer we delay turning to God, the harder it becomes. Is there a step of obedience or faith you’ve been putting off? What’s holding you back from taking that step today? ([51:49])
5. The sermon says that freedom is not the absence of responsibility, but the opportunity to honor God. How can you use your freedom this week to honor God in a specific area of your life? ([42:41])
6. The message points out that only Jesus has perfectly fulfilled the call to fear God and keep His commandments. How does knowing this free you from striving for perfection, and how can you rest in His grace while still pursuing obedience? ([56:19])
7. Think about the poetic description of aging and life’s fragility. How does this perspective affect the way you view your time, your priorities, or your relationships right now? ([49:07])
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Closing Thought:
Don’t drift through life as if it will last forever. Enjoy God’s gifts, turn to Him before it’s too late, and trust Jesus to give your life meaning. Live today with joy, urgency, and purpose, anchored in Christ.
Devotional
Day 1: Enjoy God's Gifts While They Last
Life is a precious gift from God, filled with moments of beauty and joy that are meant to be savored, not postponed until circumstances are perfect. Too often, people wait for the “right time” to rejoice, missing the sweetness of each day and the blessings that God has already provided. Solomon urges us to delight in the simple goodness of being alive, to recognize that gratitude and joy are acts of worship, and to remember that even in a world marked by brokenness, God’s gifts are still good. Whether young or old, do not let the pursuit of perfection or the weight of worry rob you of the opportunity to thank God for the light in your life today. [39:34]
Ecclesiastes 11:7-8 (ESV)
Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.
Reflection: What is one simple gift from God—no matter how small—that you can intentionally rejoice in and thank Him for today?
Day 2: Turn to God Before Time Runs Out
There is an urgency in remembering your Creator while you still have strength and opportunity, for life moves quickly and the days of youth and vigor do not last forever. Solomon paints a vivid picture of aging and the inevitable decline that comes with it, not to depress but to awaken us to the reality that our time is limited. The call is to seek God now, not to delay spiritual seriousness for a future season that may never come. Whether you are young, middle-aged, or older, God’s grace is available, and it is never too early or too late to turn to Him—while you still have breath, the invitation stands. [45:40]
Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 (ESV)
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, and the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low—they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets—before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been putting off turning to God or taking Him seriously, and what step can you take today to seek Him while you have the opportunity?
Day 3: Trust Jesus to Give Your Life Meaning
Apart from God, all of life’s pursuits—pleasure, achievement, knowledge—are ultimately empty, but in Christ, life finds its true purpose and hope. Solomon’s conclusion is that fearing God and keeping His commandments is the whole duty of man, yet he also points us to the reality that only Jesus has fulfilled this perfectly. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we are offered forgiveness, righteousness, and a life of meaning that is no longer defined by vanity but by the love and purpose of God. Trusting Jesus is not just about securing eternity; it is about living each day with the assurance that your life matters and is anchored in something eternal. [56:19]
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (ESV)
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to seek meaning apart from Christ, and how can you intentionally trust Jesus to define your purpose today?
Day 4: Live with Purpose and Urgency
Life is fleeting, and the time we think we have is not guaranteed, so we are called to live with intentionality, investing in what truly lasts rather than drifting through temporary pleasures or distractions. Solomon’s wisdom is a wake-up call to stop numbing our souls or settling for the temporary, and instead to realign our hearts with God’s purposes. Whether you have wandered or simply grown complacent, today is the day to return to the Shepherd, to commit to living with joy, urgency, and purpose for the glory of God. He is not asking for perfection, but for a heart that seeks to walk with Him and make each moment count. [59:19]
Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV)
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Reflection: What is one practical way you can realign your priorities this week to invest in what is eternal rather than what is fleeting?
Day 5: Respond to God’s Grace Today, Not Tomorrow
God’s grace is available now, and the best time to respond to His invitation is today, not waiting for a more convenient season or until you feel more “ready.” The reality is that tomorrow is never promised, and delaying your response to God’s call risks missing the meaning and life He offers. Whether you are a believer who has drifted or someone who has never truly trusted Christ, the invitation is to turn to Him now, to let Him forgive, restore, and lead you into the life you were created for. Begin living with purpose and hope today, knowing that God welcomes you with open arms. [01:01:01]
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (ESV)
Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Reflection: Is there a decision or step of faith you have been postponing in your relationship with God? What would it look like to say “yes” to Him today?
Quotes
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