{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Faith","title":"From “In the Beginning” to Amen // Ecclesiastes // Mark Davies // June 06, 2026","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2360,"description":"From “In the Beginning” to Amen // Ecclesiastes\n \nEcclesiastes 1:2 (NLT)\nEverything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”\n \nHevel = Smoke\n \nTemporary\n \nParadoxical\n \nEcclesiastes 9:3 (NLT)\n“It seems so wrong that everyone under the sun suffers the same fate…”\n \nSmoke\n \nEcclesiastes 2:4,10-11 (NLT)\n“I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all of my labors. But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.”\n \nA Warning:\nEcclesiastes 7:16-18 (NLT)\n“So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time? Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.”\n \nFear God and Obey His Commandments\n \nEcclesiastes 12:13-14 (NLT)\n“That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.”\n \nThe Answer is Fear God, Stop Grasping, and Receive Life as a Gift.\n \n“Nothing Better”\nA repeated phrase in the book. So, be joyful, do good, enjoy walks, a garden, a friend, a tasty meal, a swim, a sunrise, etc…\n \nRemember God\n \nEcclesiastes 12:1 (NLT)\n“Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.’”\n \nAccept This: You cannot Control Your life\n \nEcclesiastes 5:18-20 (NLT)\n“Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. And it is a good thing to receive...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/xe5ZmqsbRK_eg3Aa1aaHkwMagjXYQWPYjJYhv8jTcBI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hMDUw/MGUwMDE1NzNlYTc4/ZWM2Y2YzZWJjMjQy/MmQ2Yi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}