MAY 10, 2026

The Journey Through Ecclesiastes

Week 9: Don't Waste Your Life

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The more you know, the more you don’t know!

You don’t know – if your plan is going to work. – vv. 1,2

Uncertainty should not paralyze us nor should it make us reckless.

You don’t know – everything – so much of life is a mystery – v.5a

You don’t know – the providential working of God

Providence has to do with God not interfering with the normal developments of life but instead orchestrating all of the possibilities to bring about His plan and purpose without disturbing your responsibility to choose.

Trusting God is a daily sometimes minute by minute choice.

You don’t know – what will give success – v. 6

Failure is optional but quitting is not.

The more you know, the more you wish you knew – 11:7-12:8

Contrast – 11:7-10

Old People – Rejoice in a long life - vv. 7,8

Young People – vv. 9,10

Command – 12:1

“So, remember your Creator in the days of your youth”

Do not wait until life has taken your strength before you give God your heart.

Or said another way:

Remember God before you have to remember what you used to be able to do.

Change – vv. 2-7

Verse                          Image / Phrase                                            Meaning

12:2    Sun, light, moon, and stars darkened            Life’s brightness fades with age

12:2    Clouds return after rain                                     Troubles keep coming

12:3    guardians of the house tremble                      Hands/arms weaken

12:3    strong men stoop                                               Legs/back lose strength

12:3    grind grain cease because they are few       Teeth become few

12:3    watch through the windows see dimly           Your vision begins to deteriorate.

12:4    doors at the street are shut                              hard to hear or closed lips

12:4    the sound of the mill fades                               Daily activity slows/ can’t chew/ hearing

12:4    one rises at the sound of a bird                       Sleep becomes lighter

12:4    all the daughters of song grow faint               Impaired hearing

12:5    afraid of heights and dangers on the road    Increased fear and frailty

12:5    the almond tree blossoms                                Hair turns white

12:5    grasshopper loses its spring                            Slower gait

12:5    and the caper berry has no effect                   Faded desires and ambitions

12:5    mortal is headed to his eternal home             Death approaches

12:6    Silver cord, golden bowl, jar, wheel broken  Life’s fragile systems fail

12:7    Dust returns to earth                                          Body dies

12:7    Spirit returns to God                                          Life belongs to God

Conclusion – v. 8

 “Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile.”

The man who had EVERYTHING. Riches, pleasures, power and wisdom.

In the end – he became a pile of dirt.

Solomon died knowing the kingdom he led would be divided in two because of his sinful choices.

What a waste!

Application:

You don’t know – if your plan is going to work.

You don’t know – everything – so much of life is a mystery

You don’t know – the providential working of God

You don’t know – what will give success

You don’t know – how long your strength will last.

Don’t waste your life – chasing the wind. (Chasing vapor)

How do we do that?

1 John 2:15-17

Do not love is written in the Greek as – “Stop loving the world” John is saying, what are you doing?!

Lust of the Flesh  - Independence

“I choose”

Selfishness without Surrender

Lust of the Eyes   - Indulgence

Junk Yard Perspective –

Stuff without Standards

Pride of Life        – Idolatry

Success without Sacrifice

1. Students – every choice you make now affects your future.

      Don’t waste your life!

2. Old people – every choice you make today will affect eternity.

      Don’t waste your life!

Only One Life - C.T. Studd

Only one life, a few brief years,

Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;

Each with its days I must fulfill.

Living for self or in His will;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,

When Satan would a victory score;

When self would seek to have its way,

Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,

In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;

Faithful and true what e’er the strife,

Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Remember Him now.

Jim Elliot

He is no fool to give what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.