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 4 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 12:4-5:

And the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low—they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets— Ecclesiastes 12:4-5

Solomon continues his poetic descent through the aging process—and this time, he describes not just physical breakdown but also emotional and social decline.

The “doors on the street” are shut—perhaps the ears or even social isolation. The “sound of grinding is low”—daily activity slows to a crawl. Rising at the “sound of a bird”—sleep becomes fragile and easily disturbed. “Daughters of song are brought low”—joy is muted, and singing no longer lifts the soul as it once did.

And then the fear creeps in. Fear of falling. Fear of going out. The almond tree blossoms—white hair. The grasshopper drags along—once agile, now slow. And desire? It begins to fade. Not just sexual desire (though let’s be honest—testosterone replacement therapy is more common than ever), but also a decline in passion, motivation, and drive.

Solomon isn’t rubbing it in—he’s inviting reflection. Because the destination is clear: man goes to his eternal home.

He’s asking us: Do you really want to wait until life grows silent, slow, and sorrowful to make eternal decisions? What you still have—your energy, joy, desire, and courage—use it now. Before the mourners gather, choose the joy of the Lord.

#EternalPerspective, #ChooseJoyNow, #DailyDevotional

ASK THIS:

1. What “desire” in your life has faded over time?
2. How do you respond to fears that come with aging?
3. Are you making eternal decisions while you still have strength?
4. What does it mean for you to choose joy before the mourners gather?

DO THIS:

Reflect on one area of your life where you’ve lost desire—and ask God to reignite it with eternal purpose.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me see the brevity of life not as a burden but a blessing. Teach me to live each day with eternal purpose and lasting joy. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Grow.

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.

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

We are approaching the end of Ecclesiastes, and the Gospel of Mark is next. Go to the website and grab the Scriptural Journal for this study so you can study along with us. If you are a donor who gives $35/month or more, you will receive one of these for free each time we begin a new study, as long as we have your current mailing address. You also get a few more benefits by becoming a monthly or annual donor, like video access to the website, and you can see all those benefits at the link in the description today. Either way, get your Scripture Journal now so you can take notes and follow along.

Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 11:7-8:

Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity. — Ecclesiastes 11:7-8

Life is a gift. Solomon reminds us to enjoy it—to see the light, feel the warmth, and enjoy the good days. There’s something sacred about the simplicity of a sunrise, a shared meal, or a laugh with a friend. These are glimpses of God’s goodness in a world that often feels heavy.

But Solomon adds a sobering reminder: "The days of darkness will be many." Life has darkness. Seasons of loss. Moments of grief. Times when the light isn’t so visible. And we shouldn’t be surprised when they come.

Still, the contrast makes the sun sweeter. The joy of life isn’t found in pretending the dark days don’t exist—but in choosing to rejoice while we can. Not in a shallow, Instagram-worthy way—but in a deep, grounded gratitude that sees every moment as grace.

The call here is to live with balance. Rejoice fully. Remember frankly. Don’t cling to the delusion that life will always be easy. But don’t grow so cynical that you miss the beauty right before you.

Savor the good gifts of God today. And who prepare your hearts to trust God when the shadows fall tomorrow.

#LifeIsAGift, #Ecclesiastes11, #DailyDevotional

ASK THIS:

1. What simple joys has God placed in your life recently?
2. How do you respond when the dark days come?
3. In what ways can you practice grounded gratitude today?
4. Are you living with a healthy balance of rejoicing and remembering?

DO THIS:

Today, pause and savor one good gift from God—a sunrise, a smile, or a moment of stillness.

PRAY THIS:

Father, help me rejoice in the light and prepare my heart for the shadows. Teach me to see each moment as grace from You. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Fountains + Came To My Rescue.

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

Today's shout-out goes to a couple of Delta pilot friends of mine. Cory Baron and Randy Strenge. Thanks to both of you for being followers for so many years and for faithfully serving me and others on Delta for all that time.

Also we are approaching the end of Ecclesiastes, and the Gospel of Mark is next. Go to the website and grab the Scriptural Journal for this study so you can study along with us. If you are a donor who gives $35/month or more, you will receive one of these for free each time we begin a new study, as long as we have your current mailing address. You also get a few more benefits by becoming a monthly or annual donor, like video access to the website, and you can see all those benefits at the link in the description today. Either way, get your Scripture Journal now so you can take notes and follow along.

Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 11:6:

In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. — Ecclesiastes 11:6

Solomon is encouraging us to live and work with a faithful consistency. He paints the picture of a person who begins sowing early in the day and continues into the evening. They’re not lazy. They’re not overly selective. They simply keep showing up and doing the work.

Why? Because they don’t know what will succeed. One seed might take root, or another. Maybe both. Maybe neither—at least not right away.

This is how life works. We can’t always predict outcomes. Some conversations bear fruit. Others don’t. Some relationships thrive. Others fade. Some opportunities explode into blessings. Others seem to fall flat. But the point is this: if you never sow, you’ll never reap.

God calls us to live faithfully, not perfectly. He calls us to work diligently, not just when we feel inspired or when the results are guaranteed. What matters most is that we show up. That we keep planting. That we remain steady in the daily grind.

The harvest isn’t our job—obedience is the job. We don’t control the soil, the weather, or the results. Shoot, we don't even produce the seed. But we do control whether we’re willing to keep working, believing God will bring something good from our faithful effort.

So keep sowing. Keep investing. Keep loving. Keep showing up. Not just when it’s easy but especially when it’s not. You never know what God might do with the seed you plant today.

Now go plant a seed in someone's life.

#FaithfulLiving, #KeepSowing, #ObedienceOverOutcome

ASK THIS:

1. Where in life are you tempted to stop sowing seeds?
2. Are you more focused on the outcome than the obedience?
3. How do you respond when your efforts seem fruitless?
4. What’s one area God is calling you to stay faithful in today?

DO THIS:

Show up today and do one faithful act—whether it’s seen, celebrated, or not.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me to be faithful in the daily grind, even when I can’t see the results. I trust You to bring the growth in Your time and way. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Stay Strong.

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

I want to give a shout-out to Mike Olson from Mexico, Florida, and Minnesota. Some of you don't know this, but Mike is one of those guys who pushed me over the edge about 12 years ago to start doing what I am doing today. We met for breakfast, and he said, "There is no better time than the present to take the leap." This devotional is for you today Mike.

Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 11:5:

As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. — Ecclesiastes 11:5

There are things we just can’t explain. The mystery of life forming in the womb is one of them. Even with modern science, some things remain hidden—sacred, intricate, and beyond full comprehension—like the impartation of the soul and spirit.

That’s the example Solomon gives. If we can’t even grasp how life begins inside the body, how much less can we expect to grasp the work of God in the world around us?

This verse reminds us: we’re limited. God is not.

And yet, we still try to figure him out. We analyze, we predict, we try to map out what He’s doing and when. But the God who makes everything doesn’t always give explanations. He calls us to trust.

Faith means walking forward without all the answers. It’s releasing control. It’s obeying even when you don’t see the full picture. This can be frustrating for those of us who crave clarity, but it’s also freeing—because it puts the weight of the outcome on Him, not us.

There’s nothing wrong with asking questions or seeking wisdom. But we have to be okay with mystery. We need to live with quiet confidence in the One who understands what we never will.

God is always working. Even when we can’t see it. Even when we don’t get it. Even when it feels like nothing’s happening.

So the question isn’t, “Do I understand what God is doing?” The question is, “Will I trust Him anyway?”

Thanks, Mike, for thrusting me to trust God anyway.

#TrustGodAnyway, #FaithOverUnderstanding, #Ecclesiastes115

ASK THIS:

1. Where do I feel confused about what God is doing right now?
2. Why do I crave control more than trust at times?
3. What’s one situation I can release to God today?
4. How can I grow in confidence when I don’t have clarity?

DO THIS:

Release your need to understand everything and choose to trust God's unseen work today.

PRAY THIS:

God, I confess that I often want answers more than I want You. Help me rest in the mystery and trust Your unseen work. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Trust In God.

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

I want to give a shout-out to Don and Jami Mahr from Minnesota. Thanks for listening as a couple to these daily devotionals, and thanks for sharing them with others, too.

Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 11:3-4:

If the clouds are full of rain,
they empty themselves on the earth,
and if a tree falls to the south or to the north,
in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.
He who observes the wind will not sow,
and he who regards the clouds will not reap. — Ecclesiastes 11:3-4

Some people spend their lives watching the skies—waiting for the wind to settle, waiting for the perfect moment. And you know what happens? Nothing. They never plant. They never build. They never lead. They just watch. Not because they lack passion—but because they’re stuck in their heads.

Solomon presents two earthy illustrations. When clouds are full, they pour rain. It’s what clouds do. When a tree falls, that’s where it stays. You can’t change it. You just accept it. These are natural, inevitable events—beyond our control.

Then he turns to the farmer—the one who fixates on the wind, the one who hesitates to sow seed because they’re waiting for the perfect conditions. But life doesn’t work that way. The world is broken. The wind blows. Trees fall. Rain comes and goes. If you’re always waiting for perfection, you’ll never act.

This is a warning for the overthinker. The perfectionist. The one who masks fear with analysis and delay. There’s a difference between wisdom and paralysis. And too often, we hide behind the excuse of "waiting on God." But sometimes, we’re not waiting on Him—we’re just afraid to obey.

Solomon isn’t saying we shouldn’t use wisdom. He’s saying: stop using caution as a cover for fear. Don’t let your craving for control keep you from faith-filled action. When Jesus called Peter out of the boat, Peter stepped. He didn’t wait for the waves to settle.

Stop trying to read the wind. Stop waiting for the skies to clear. Start doing what you already know is right. Share the gospel. Have the hard conversation. Launch the thing. Say yes to the calling. The perfect moment rarely comes. But obedience belongs to this moment—right now.

So what do you need to do?

#FaithOverFear #ObedienceNow #Don’tWaitJustGo

ASK THIS:

1. What step of faith have you been delaying out of fear or overthinking?
2. How have you confused caution with spiritual wisdom?
3. What natural “conditions” are you waiting on that might never change?
4. What truth from God’s Word do you already know, but haven't acted on?

DO THIS:

Take one bold, faithful step today in the direction God’s already revealed—don’t wait for perfect conditions.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me stop waiting for ideal conditions and start obeying You with faith and courage. I trust that You’ve already gone ahead of me. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Obey.