Finding Joy in the Every Day

Introduction: Joy in a World of Shadows

Have you ever been so overwhelmed by life that joy seemed... out of reach? You wake up, go through your routines, shuffle through responsibilities — but joy feels like a luxury, or worse, a distraction.

Ecclesiastes understands that. It doesn't ignore death, suffering, or disappointment. In fact, just before our passage, the Teacher is blunt: “The same fate comes to all.” But it’s in that hard truth that he turns and says: “Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart…”

How? Why? Because — as the Preacher will show us — joy is not denial. Joy is grace. Joy isn’t escapist. It’s not hedonism. It’s seeing life whole, real, valuable, and full of grace. (Hubbard & Ogilvie)

Ecclesiastes 9:7–10

Ecclesiastes 9:7–10 NIV

7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. 8 Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. 9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

Eat and Drink with Joy

“Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.”

This is a command. Not just an invitation — a imperative. “Go” — in Hebrew, this is a call to action. It’s like God saying, “Start living!”

Bread and wine — the staples of life. Not feasts, not luxury — but the common table.

Why? Because God “has already approved what you do.”

This isn’t saying, “Just do whatever you want!” It’s saying that God delights in giving good gifts, and when we receive them with gratitude, we honor the Giver.

✳️ Application:

What if the most spiritual thing you could do today was enjoy a meal with someone you love?

That sandwich at lunch? That coffee on your porch? That laughter around the dinner table?

Joy isn’t fake — it’s faithful. “The reality of joy can occur only when God has invaded our lives.” (Moore & Akin)

Dress for Joy

“Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.”

This isn’t a dress code; it’s a metaphor. In ancient Israel, white clothes and oil were symbols of celebration — weddings, feasts, holy days.

But notice the word “always.” This isn’t joy for the weekend, or when the bills are paid, or when the diagnosis is clear.

This is an invitation to live with a frame of mind of celebration — not naïve, but rooted in grace.

✳️ Application:

This doesn’t mean you pretend life isn’t hard — it means you trust that God is good, even when life is hard.

God is Good, All the Time and All the time Good is Good

What do your habits and rhythms say about your theology of joy?

Are you living like it's still Saturday, when Sunday’s resurrection has already come?

Love with Joy

“Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun…”

Notice the phrase: “vain life” — the Hebrew word hebel, meaning vapor or breath.

Life is short. Fleeting. But that makes it more precious, not less.

And in that short life, the Preacher says: enjoy the people God has placed in your life. For him, it’s the wife he loves. But the principle applies to all relationships: God made us for joyful connection.

Even the brevity of life can’t cancel the beauty of love. Because joy is best when it’s shared.

✳️ Application:

Who are the people around you right now — your spouse, your kids, your neighbors — that God is inviting you to enjoy, not just endure?

Work with Joy

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…”

In other words: Do your best. Be all in. Your job, your parenting, your serving — do it with energy. Enthusiasm. Grit. Joy.

Because one day, you won’t be able to. Life under the sun is temporary. But work done with God in view — that echoes into eternity.

Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord…”

✳️ Hebrew Insight:

The word for might is koach — strength, vigor, power. It’s about full-bodied effort, yes — but it’s also what God gives you to work with (Deut. 8:18).

Even your strength is a gift. So use it — with joy.

Next Steps: Joy Is a Witness

Let’s be honest — the world doesn’t expect joy from Christians. They expect duty. Guilt. Judgment. Drudgery.

But what if we shocked them with joy?

What if the most evangelistic thing we did this week was to laugh at the table, work with purpose, hold someone’s hand, and thank God out loud for a peanut butter sandwich?

“In the very face of death, expansive joy is not only possible but demanded.” (Hubbard & Ogilvie)

Because we know something the world forgets: Life is short, yes — but it is also sacred. Every breath, every bite, every relationship, every good day and hard day — is grace.

So — Go. Eat. Drink. Love. Work. And do it all with joy.

Invitation / Closing Prayer

As we respond today, maybe some of us need to repent — not of rebellion, but of ingratitude.

Maybe you’ve been rushing through life, missing the joy in front of you.

Would you ask God to open your eyes this week?

To see bread as a blessing, love as a miracle, work as worship, and life — as a gift?

Let’s pray.

Bibliography

Hubbard, David A., and Lloyd J. Ogilvie. Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. Vol. 16 of The Preacher’s Commentary Series. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1991. Moore, David G., and Daniel L. Akin. Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. Edited by Max Anders. Vol. 14. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2003. Lohfink, Norbert. A Continental Commentary: Qoheleth. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003. Cone, Christopher. Life Beyond the Sun: An Introduction to Worldview & Philosophy through the Lens of Ecclesiastes. Ft. Worth, TX: Tyndale Seminary Press, 2009.

🎙️ YouTube Description

Title: Finding Joy in the Everyday | Ecclesiastes 9:7–10

In this sermon, Pastor Ryan explores Ecclesiastes 9:7–10, where the Teacher calls us to embrace joy in the ordinary. In a world marked by toil and tragedy, how can we find meaning in a meal, love in a marriage, and purpose in our daily work? Scripture shows us that God’s grace transforms the mundane into the marvelous. Join us as we learn to receive life as a gift and cultivate gratitude for the simple blessings around us.

🕊️ Text: Ecclesiastes 9:7–10 🎯 Theme: Life’s simple pleasures are gifts from God. 📌 Application: Cultivating gratitude for the ordinary blessings of life.

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📝 Sermon Notes Page (for the congregation)

Title: Finding Joy in the Everyday Text: Ecclesiastes 9:7–10 Theme: Life’s simple pleasures are gifts from God.

I. The Call to Joy (v. 7)

“Go, eat your bread with joy…” 🟩 Question: What does it mean to "go" — to act on joy? 🟩 Reflection: What’s one ordinary thing you usually rush through but could enjoy more today?

II. The Assurance of God’s Favor (v. 7b)

“...for God has already approved what you do.” 🟩 Key Idea: This isn’t about indulgence, but about living in the freedom of God’s grace. 🟩 Reflection: How does knowing you are approved by God change how you live daily?

III. Enjoy Your Relationships (v. 8–9)

“Enjoy life with the wife whom you love…” 🟩 Note: This is relational joy—not just romantic. 🟩 Challenge: Express gratitude to someone who blesses your daily life.

IV. Work with Purpose (v. 10)

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…” 🟩 Key Insight: Joy includes doing what matters with energy and excellence. 🟩 Reflection: How could your work this week become an act of worship?

📖 Big Idea:

“Joy experienced in circumstances like those is not escapist... it is seeing life whole, real, valuable, and graceful.” – David A. Hubbard

✍️ Notes Section for Personal Thoughts & Prayers:

📌 Questions for Further Discussion:

What ordinary joy have you been overlooking lately?

How do you understand God’s approval in this passage?

How does this passage reshape your understanding of work?

What’s one step you’ll take this week to enjoy life more fully?

📚 3–4 Day Bible Study: Finding Joy in the Everyday (Ecclesiastes 9:7–10)

Day 1: The Gift of Everyday Joy

Read: Ecclesiastes 9:7 Key Verse: “Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart…” 🔍 Hebrew Word Study:

שִׂמְחָה (simchah) – joy, gladness

Often used in the context of religious festivals and celebrations, indicating deep, God-centered joy. 📝 Reflection: What’s one daily routine or task that you can begin to approach with simchah? 🙏 Prayer Prompt: Ask God to help you see His grace in your everyday routines.

Day 2: Living in God’s Favor

Read: Ecclesiastes 9:7b and 5:18–20 Key Phrase: “God has already approved what you do.” 📖 Theological Note: This is not about earning God’s approval, but living in the reality of grace. Compare with Romans 8:1. 📝 Reflection: How would your approach to life change if you deeply believed God delighted in you? 🙏 Prayer Prompt: Thank God for His favor and ask for freedom from performance-driven living.

Day 3: The Beauty of Relationships

Read: Ecclesiastes 9:8–9 🟩 Cross Reference: Proverbs 5:18–19; Genesis 2:18 💬 Greek LXX Insight: The Septuagint uses agapaō in similar wisdom texts — sacrificial love, not just feelings. 📝 Reflection: Who in your life do you take for granted? How can you express joy in your relationship with them this week? 🙏 Prayer Prompt: Pray for the relationships in your life, asking for renewed joy and deeper love.

Day 4: Work as Worship

Read: Ecclesiastes 9:10 🛠️ Hebrew Word Study:

כֹּחַ (koach) – strength, power, might

Rooted in the idea of doing something wholeheartedly, often used for God's empowering. 📖 Supporting Text: Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord…” 📝 Reflection: What is one area of your work, home life, or service you could do with greater joy and intention? 🙏 Prayer Prompt: Invite God into your labor. Offer your tasks to Him today as a living sacrifice.

📊 Handout Design (Printable Suggestion)

Header: 🔹 Finding Joy in the Everyday 🔹 Ecclesiastes 9:7–10

Sections with Icons: 🍞 Eat with Joy – Daily gifts ❤️ Love Well – Relationships 💼 Work Hard – Purpose 🙌 Live Gratefully – God's Favor

✅ Include checkboxes or lines under each section:

“Today I will thank God for…”

“I will enjoy _______ with a heart of joy.”

“I will work with purpose by…”

👨‍👩‍👧 Tip: Add a family question at the bottom

“What was your favorite part of today and how was God in it?”