There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil.
Ecclesiastes 6:1-2, ESV
When I was in college, I can remember where I was when I heard the news that Kurt Cobain, frontman for the band Nirvana, took his own life. The grief that hit many of my friends who were great fans of him and his music was followed by the words, “Why?” Fame and fortune are no replacement for the joy and comfort that belongs to those of us who believe in the salvation given by God through the Son, Jesus Christ. If there is nothing more than this world, then all the wealth in this world is meaningless because it amounts to nothing. Let our lives be lives lived in the joy of God, and may we be witnesses to those who need to know Him.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.