Breath Of Praise – Giving Meaning To A Fleeting Life
BRD REFLECTION 2025
Ecclesiastes 6; 7 and Psalm 150 (NIV)
(David Foo from SWR Committee)
READ:
Extracting from Ecclesiastes 6, 7 and Psalm 150:
Ecclesiastes 6:12 – “For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow?”
Ecclesiastes 7:2 – “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.”
Psalm 150:6 – “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”
OBSERVE:
Ecclesiastes 6 and 7 confront us with life’s brevity and futility. Riches, honour, and even long life do not guarantee meaning. Solomon reminds us that we are like shadows, here for a moment. Reflecting on death isn’t morbid—it’s wise. It teaches us what truly matters.
In contrast, Psalm 150 pierces through the fog: even in a fleeting life, we have breath. And with that breath, we can praise the Lord. Worship becomes our purpose; our anchor in the face of meaninglessness.
APPLY:
When I accept that life is short and unpredictable, I stop chasing fulfillment in the temporal things. The futility Ecclesiastes describes isn’t meant to discourage, but to redirect my focus. While life under the sun is meaningless, life under God’s reign becomes meaningful and fulfilling.
God given breath is not just for surviving, enjoying, or complaining. It’s for praising. No matter what our season, the invitation is to use our fleeting lives for something eternal.
DO:
Take 5 minutes today—pause from tasks, worries, or plans—and intentionally praise God. Speak or sing aloud with thanksgiving, even if it’s a simple: “God, You are good.” Let our breath be used for its highest purpose today: worship.
PRAY:
Lord Jesus, remind me that life is short and full of uncertainties, but You are eternal and sure. Teach me to number my days and to use each breath for Your glory. Help me not to waste my life chasing the wind, but to find joy in praising You—my Creator and King. Amen.
