Read the Word:
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
Meditate on the Word:
According to the BBC, “Oliver Cromwell ruled the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland following a civil war in the 1600s. In 1653, an artist named Samuel Cooper was asked to paint Cromwell’s portrait. Cromwell had several large warts on his face. So, when Cooper started sketching, he tried to smooth out Cromwell’s face to make him look more attractive. When Cromwell saw what the artist had done, he said he preferred the portrait to show him “with pimples, warts and everything.” Over time, this was shortened to the phrase ‘warts and all’.” (https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/course/experiment/unit-1/session-9)
One of the great things about scripture as a whole, and biblical poetry specifically, is that they show God’s people, “warts and all.” Solomon, the wealthiest and wisest man on the planet, got depressed. He went through times where he saw only futility in the day to day routines. Times when he saw all existence as pointless. Times when he likely, just did not want to get out of bed and face another day. In other words, the same depression and anxiety that many of us feel, either occasionally or more often. Biblical poetry gives us a chance to see our own experiences with life and with God put into words. These words remind us that it is okay to not be okay sometimes. It’s a part of being human.
Pray the Word:
Confess any depression or anxiety that you are having to our Lord. Express your reliance on Him.
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