Vapor of Vapors, All is Vapor - Part 2

Metaphorical senses of הבל “Hevel”: Insubstantiality, Transience, and Foulness.

How do we live with meaning in this vapor of life?

How do we find Substance Permanence and Sweetness?

Ecclesiastes 3:9–14 ESV

9 What gain has the worker from his toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; 13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man. 14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.

God has invited us to join in his work.

Do we converse with God about what we are doing?

Do this vaporous life with God stewarding his gifts.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 ESV

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Do this vaporous life with God in community.

1 Peter 2:4–5 ESV

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

We are Christ’s presence in this vaporous life to each other and the community.

The Servant Song Will you let me be your servant, Let me be as Christ to you; Pray that I may have the grace to Let you be my servant, too. We are pilgrims on a journey, We are trav'lers on the road; We are here to help each other Walk the mile and bear the load. I will hold the Christ-light for you In the night-time of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, Speak the peace you long to hear. I will weep when you are weeping; When you laugh I'll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow 'Til we've seen this journey through. When we sing to God in heaven We shall find such harmony, Born of all we've known together Of Christ's love and agony. Richard Gillard

Ecclesiastes 12:10–14 ESV

10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

In this vaporous life fear God and obey.

The fear of the LORD is an intimate relationship with God based in reverence and awe which results in transformation.

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet. Or we'll walk by His side in the way. What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; Never fear, only trust and obey.