Can You Alter Your Destiny? (Ecc. 7 – S.S. 1)
Do you ever think about your future? What does the world hold for you, a future with notoriety, a recognized name, a righteous life? The word ‘destiny’ can elicit a wonder of sorts; an encouragement toward dreaming of the future.
Ecclesiastes provides a rather blunt viewpoint for us to consider.
What Purpose Is Your Life? To what purpose are you living?
all is lost
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The world is not our home…
This world is not our home, and to think otherwise should signal a red alert to dig in to the Word and ask for God to reveal our purpose. Ecclesiastes is one of the most succinct books to put it all into perspective for us. Share on XThis world is not our home, and to think otherwise should signal a red alert to dig in to the Word and ask for God to reveal our purpose. Ecclesiastes is one of the most succinct books to put it all into perspective for us.
A Christian journey is one where we our eyes are focused on Heaven and how to live more like Christ every day… in thought, action, and deed. Our lives are to be enveloped with God as we traverse the hills and valleys we encounter. The reason? In part, it is preparing us for Heaven. The truth is, the words of the Bible describing God’s holiness cannot do it justice for our simple minds with how HOLY He truly is. We can come to the table with flawed perceptions and closed minds which inhibit our true understanding… not even the wisest men in the world can truly grasp His sovereignty while they live on Earth.
Think back to Moses, when he met with God, his entire face became illuminated radiance because of God’s glory!
And He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you My name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” He said, “you cannot see My face, for man shall not see Me and live.” And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by Me where you shall stand on the rock, and while My glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.”
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.
Exodus 33:19-23, 34:29-30
Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? … For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory. … And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:7-8,11,18
Is our destiny meaningless?
In the simplest terms of this sentence, yes. Whether rich or poor, in great health or bad, in e will all experience the same destiny.
It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.
Ecclesiastes 7:2, NIV
It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath.
Ecclesiastes 9:2
We are all guaranteed one commonality in this life. Death will come to us all at some point. (Other than Enoch and Elijah of course.)
The author of Ecclesiastes candidly shows us that this world is not our home, and we are not to live like it is. We pass through it, experience the same destiny (death), and go to Heaven (or Hell).
Even our name is oft, not long remembered. Look at the Bible characters, how often do their stories and advice get neglected and they're in the Bible?! Or how many stories do you read in the Bible that you just never remembered or… Share on XEven our name is oft, not long remembered. Look at the Bible characters, how often do their stories and advice get neglected and they’re in the Bible?! Or how many stories do you read in the Bible that you just never remembered or knew? Take note here, this can either serve to teach us what to focus on while we are on earth or it can be an empty truth we ignore while pouring our heart and soul into the things of this world rather than an eternal future with God.
For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.
Ecclesiastes 9:5
However, we are more than this world offers and we have a future that very few will experience.
Can you alter your destiny?
We cannot alter the destiny regarding the end of our life on earth. Only God knows the details, just as He knew the details of your creation.
While the great conundrum of the Christian faith evades full understanding, the fact still remains that God predestined us to be His.
[E]ven as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1:4-6
Our choices in this life ARE alterable… as in, you have the choice to obey God/the Bible or disobey. Listening, reading, and acknowledging are not enough, you must also obey.
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.
Ecclesiastes 11:9, emphasis added
The prospect of divine praise or blame makes every detail of life significant rather than meaningless. To know this gives direction to our heard and discrimination to our eyes.
NIV Study bible
In light of your destiny…
In light of your destiny, let us keep the true light leading us through this dark world.
Not only does Ecclesiastes give us a realist point of view on how to look at our lives on earth, it leaves us with guidance.
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.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Our destiny is the same, but how we live on earth determines our true future.
Are you living in light of a destiny with a future? If not, perhaps now is the time for you to make some changes….
A motto that should hold fast to every area in our lives… why not grab a daily reminder to boast of Our King!
Last Week
Proverbs 31 – Ecclesiastes 6
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I have for so long felt that pull of being a sojourner, an alien, not fitting in, and such and know that God has placed me right where I am for however long He has planned. Then, Homeward bound I head. When I began to grasp this, I quit beating myself over the head for not fitting in. I only belong to Christ and none other. There has been a release of angst and pressure. How grateful I am to be reminded of this in your post today. ~ linda
Your message reminded me of Ebenezer Scrooge’s exchange with the ghost of Christmas yet to come. We alter our future by following God in the present.
I’m so glad my home is not here. I can’t wait to go home to my Savior.