7.20.25 - (Ecclesiastes 1:16-18)

Introduction

Hello, this is Kenneth, and welcome to Dwell.

Today is Sunday, July 20th. Thanks for joining us for today's Dwell Kids Daily.

Thanks for joining us for The Melodic Line for Kids.

For the next few minutes, I invite you to join me as we look to our Great King by opening our hearts to hear from Him through the words of the Bible.

Silence

As we begin, let us remember that God calls His people, young and old, to be still and know that He is God. Let's take a few seconds to calm and quiet our minds, so that we can hear him better.

Opening Prayer‌ Father, we rejoice that you have given us a new day to worship you. Today, give us a new song in our heart – a song of praise. (from Psalm 40:3)

Passage

Today our passage is from the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 1 verses 16-18 (ICB):

I said to myself, “I have become very wise. I am now wiser than anyone who ruled Jerusalem before me. I know what wisdom and knowledge really are.” So I decided to find out how wisdom and knowledge are better than foolish thinking. But I learned that trying to become wise is also like chasing the wind. With much wisdom comes much disappointment. The person who gains more knowledge also gains more sorrow.

Exhortation

You know what? Life is just hard sometimes. Sometimes we feel like we have everything figured out only to realize later that we missed something and we weren’t as right as we thought we were.

In our passage, we are hearing King Solomon, someone known for great wisdom, realize just how hard life can be. God has given King Solomon wisdom, but instead of making everything immediately better, it actually gave Solomon the ability to see just how broken the world is.

You see, God made the world to work a certain way. Sin wasn’t part of God’s original creation, so when Adam and Eve rebelled against God and were exiled out of the garden of Eden, life became difficult for everyone who has ever lived. In some ways, gaining wisdom helps you see clearly how things ought to be, which means that you’ll also see more clearly the things around you that are not as they should be. Which can be frustrating and disheartening.

I think a lesson here is that true wisdom requires humility. And humility often comes by being humbled, which isn’t always fun. The truth is that gaining wisdom is one of the greatest things you can attain. We should all desire it, but true wisdom will humble you as you see more clearly that the world, and even your own heart, is broken.

Call to Action Let’s take a moment and quietly reflect on today’s passage

Closing Prayer‌ Let’s pray together.

Heavenly Father, we desire wisdom. We want to know how life ought to work. We want to walk in your ways. But we don’t always realize our own brokenness. Help us, by your Spirit to have humility as we live in this broken world, and look with hope to the world to come, where all things will be made new, and you good order will be completely restored. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Outro

It's been great to be with you today.

Tomorrow, we'll be in the Psalm 111. Until then, go in peace, and let the word of King Jesus dwell in you richly.

Now, go in peace, and let the word of King Jesus dwell in you richly.