Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day.

We are in the last chapter of Ecclesiastes. That means today we are 5 days away from starting the Gospel of Mark. Go to the website and grab the Scriptural Journal for this study so you can study along with us.

Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 12:2-3:

Before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed— Ecclesiastes 12:2-3

Solomon shifts his tone here—what began as an invitation now becomes a slow descent into poetic realism.

He’s describing the gradual breakdown of the human body. The lights dim. Strength fades. Teeth are few. Eyesight fails. Age is creeping in.

It’s like a storm that just passed, but the clouds keep rolling back. You think it’s over—but it isn’t. The effects of time continue to accumulate, one layer at a time.

The metaphors are vivid. The “keepers of the house” tremble—your hands. The “strong men” are bent—your legs and back. The “grinders” are few—your teeth. The “windows” are dimmed—your eyes. This is what happens when we age.

Solomon isn’t being cruel—he’s being clear. This is reality. And he’s urging us to take it seriously.

The point isn’t to fear old age—it’s to respect time. To recognize that the life we have now, in all its mobility and clarity, won’t last forever. So why delay obedience? Why postpone faithfulness? Why assume you’ll always have what you have today?

If you’re still strong—use your strength. If you can still see clearly—open your eyes to truth. If you can still speak—declare God’s goodness.

The shadows of age are coming. And you who are older know what I am talking about. But you don’t have to wait for the dark to live in the light.

#LiveBeforeTheDark, #Ecclesiastes12, #DailyDevotional

ASK THIS:

1. What physical ability do you often take for granted?
2. How has age or time humbled your perspective?
3. What truth are you avoiding because you think you have time?
4. How can you use your current strength to honor God today?

DO THIS:

Use your strength, clarity, and voice today for God’s purposes—don’t delay what you were meant to do now.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, thank You for the strength and clarity I still have today. Help me not to waste it, but to honor You with urgency and obedience. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Graves Into Gardens.

Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day.

We are in the last chapter of Ecclesiastes. That means today we are 6 days away from starting the Gospel of Mark. Go to the website and grab the Scripture Journal for this study so you can study along with us.

Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 12:1:

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them.” — Ecclesiastes 12:1

There’s a temptation to put off getting serious about our faith until later in life. To assume we’ll get around to God when life slows down or after we’ve experienced all that the world has to offer. But Solomon flips that thinking on its head.

He says: "Remember your Creator"—now, not later. In the days of your youth. Not just when it is convenient or calm. Not when the pressure lets up. But while you’re young, energetic, full of possibility.

Why? Because evil days are coming. Aging is inevitable. Challenges will increase. Pain will multiply. And it becomes harder to build a foundation of faith when life begins to wear you down.

Youth is a gift, people. It's a window of opportunity. It’s a season when your heart is still moldable, your body is still able, and your mind is still open. That’s when you need to anchor yourself to the truth of who God is.

"Remember" here also doesn’t mean a fleeting thought—it means live like God is your personal Maker, Designer, and Architect. Make decisions that reflect his authority. Build habits that honor his design. Shape your values around his Word.

Because the days will come when you’ll look back and realize how vital those early decisions were. The strength you’ll need for tomorrow must be cultivated right now, today!

Don’t wait until life breaks you to bow your heart. Remember Him now—before regret writes your story.

#FaithNow, #Ecclesiastes12, #LiveAnchored

ASK THIS:

1. What does it mean to remember God in your youth?
2. Have I been delaying spiritual growth for a more "convenient" time?
3. What habits am I forming that anchor me to God's truth?
4. How do I want to look back on my youth in light of eternity?

DO THIS:

Build one spiritual habit today that reflects God's design for your life—don’t delay.

PRAY THIS:

Father, help me to remember You now while I still have strength, clarity, and opportunity. Teach me to live today in a way that honors You for a lifetime. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

I Believe.

Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day.

We are one week away from starting the Gospel of Mark. Go to the website and grab the Scriptural Journal for this study so you can study along with us.

Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 11:9-10:

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity. — Ecclesiastes 11:9-10

Solomon gives a strong encouragement here: to enjoy your life. This isn’t a call to reckless living—but to a joyful one. Life is short, and the days pass quickly. So don’t waste them.

But the freedom he describes comes with a boundary. He reminds us that everything we do—every diversion, every decision, every desire—is seen by God. And it will all be weighed.

That’s not meant to scare us. It’s meant to ground us. God is not a killjoy; He’s the One who gave us the gift of life. But He also cares how we use it.

We’re called to live with boldness and accountability. To enjoy life deeply and honor God fully. To chase good things—but not in a way that forgets the Giver. To pursue the desires of our heart—but also regulate those desires by his will.

So what does that look like? It looks like joy without rebellion. Passion with wisdom. Zeal that’s anchored in truth. It means dealing with the stuff that confuses our hearts—bitterness, anxiety, sin—and not letting it steal the true beauty of the moment.

Then he adds to remove vexation and put away pain. In other words, don’t let the weight of the world settle into your soul. Don’t carry what you don’t have to. Don’t waste your youth—or your life—on what doesn’t last.

Enjoy your life. Honor your God. And let both shape the legacy you leave behind.

And on to our last chapter of Ecclesiastes—chapter 12.

#LiveWithPurpose, #JoyAndJudgment, #Ecclesiastes11

ASK THIS:

1. Am I enjoying life or simply surviving it?
2. How does the thought of God's judgment shape my daily decisions?
3. What desires in my heart need more wisdom and accountability?
4. What "vexation" or pain do I need to release to live freely?

DO THIS:

Enjoy your life today in a way that honors the God who gave it to you.

PRAY THIS:

Father, thank You for the gift of life and the freedom to enjoy it. Help me live with joy and accountability, honoring You in everything I do. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Joy In The Morning.