WHAT IS GOOD FOR MAN IN THIS LIFE

 EVENING DEVOTION

OCTOBER 24

 

Ecclesiastes 6:12

For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, 

all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow?

for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun? 

 
This is a very difficult question, if we refer to it as temporal things; and providence alone can furnish the answer.
 
Sometimes prosperity is good, and sometimes adversity: sometimes sickness, and sometimes health: sometimes success, and sometimes disappointment: sometimes plenty, and sometimes poverty.
 
If we set our hearts strongly upon anything below, that is the thing that is not likely to be good for us.
 
If God deny us, or take anything from us, we may be sure at once that that is not good for us.
 
What we have is good for us, if we rightly use it, and improve it for the Lord’s glory.
 
Beloved, have you been looking for a few steps above you, and think what a good thing it would be for me, if I could obtain that situation?
 
If so, you are wrong.
 
Resignation to God’s will, and acquiescence in God’s plan are far better than wishing for this or longing for that.
 
It is good for a man, daily to live by faith on Jesus, to walk with God, to lay up for himself treasure in heaven, and to endeavour to benefit all around him: but what good for man in a temporal point of view is not for us to say.
 

‘Tis God appoints my earthly lot,

And he does all things well;

I soon shall leave this trying spot

And rise with him to dwell.

 
James Smith