In a fallen world marked by oppression, misadventure, hardship, and futile striving, one of life's greatest earthly gifts is deep, faithful relationships.

This life is filled with injustice, even at the highest levels, and ends in death for everyone. Yet, God has a purpose even in this: that we may repent of mankind's rebellion against God as the standard and enforcer of all human activity. Then we may find satisfaction in living a life that conforms to his righteousness. In light of the gospel, we find our ultimate trust in Christ's resurrection and righteous works on our behalf, so that our body and spirit may be saved in that Day of Judgment which God has appointed.

God's wisdom will enable us to carefully discern the varied seasons he has brought into our lives and to respond to each one prudently and faithfully.

God's wisdom will enable us to carefully discern the varied seasons he has brought into our lives and to respond to each one prudently and faithfully.

God appoints every season of our lives. Rather than fighting against them, wisdom receives each season from His hand, enjoys His gifts within it, and faithfully does the work He gives.

We can find enjoyment in this world of futility and injustice by accepting the limitations God has set upon this life. Embrace the simple goods God gives you, find satisfaction in your work as unto the Lord, and trust Him to set all things in order in the appointed time. Above all, live in relationship with Him.

A life of wisdom and hard work appears better than a life of foolish waste, yet the same suffering, sorrow, toil, and death happen to everyone alike. This makes life under the sun bitter and seemingly unjust. The gospel answers this despair by promising a final judgment that gives eternal meaning to our labor and a grace-given inheritance for all who belong to Christ.

If we make pleasure and the pursuit of happiness the goal of our lives, we will find only emptiness. True and lasting joy is found as a byproduct of living to please God rather than ourselves.

A survey of human history, and an observation of the continuous cycles of this world, would lead us to believe that human existence isn't going anywhere. Taken from the perspective of one life or multiple generations, there is much activity, and nothing gained. If we are going to find a satisfying meaning for our existence, we will have to find it "above the sun." This life only has meaning when lived for God's glory and the life to come.

Through his death and resurrection, Jesus is crowned as the victorious and glorious King, worthy of all worship for all eternity.