Ecclesiastes Encouragement

Life is tough, life is painful. Everyone who is alive, experiences at some time or another, the loneliness of life. The heart aches and there are no words to soothe. Productive work, pleasure, possesions give no fulfillment.

"So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind." The Ecclesiates author sums up the desolation he feels throughout the book. Is there any remedy or is it all just 'dust in the wind'?

Sometimes we have to live with the ache. We know we were made for more, but reality sets in. Even faith cannot be a panacea for the pain and difficulties our hearts face. For twelve chapters we see and we feel the struggle of the human condition. Does it really matter what we do and how we live? Are there any answers?

But as we sit and wait in the shadows we hear the voice of God.
"Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
There are answers. It does matter. And that encourages me.