Overview:
Ecclesiastes 9:11–18
We all need an objective view of the rat race we live in! Many of our lives can be summed up in three words: hurry, worry, and bury. Thankfully, Solomon’s ancient journal that God has preserved as the book of Ecclesiastes tells us to come to terms with reality and, with God’s help, enjoy life! This God-inspired book encourages us to squeeze every enjoyment out of life now, while we still have time!
So what words would sum up your life? Don’t let someone else set your pace or establish your objective, or you will be woefully off target. If you feel like you’re on the proverbial treadmill, beginning to resemble a mouse in a maze more than an intelligent human being en route to an admirable and challenging goal, here is a section of Scripture that invites us to pull out of the rat race and take an honest, studied look at life.
Message Summary:
In this message, Pastor Chuck Swindoll addresses the relentless pace of modern life—the "rat race" characterized by hurry, worry, and burial. Many find themselves trapped on a proverbial treadmill, living more like mice in a maze than individuals with clear, admirable goals. Drawing from the realistic wisdom of Ecclesiastes 9, Chuck invites us to pull out of the race and take an honest, studied look at life through a vertical lens.
Solomon’s ancient journal reminds us that while the world offers endless distractions, true satisfaction comes from coming to terms with reality and, with God’s help, learning to enjoy life now. This sermon challenges listeners to stop letting others set their pace and instead squeeze every drop of enjoyment out of life while time remains. By focusing on God's sovereignty rather than human striving, we can find a challenging and rewarding goal that exists far beyond the treadmill of the rat race.
Message Key Facts:
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Hurry, Worry, and Bury: Chuck identifies these three words as the common summary of a life lived purely on a horizontal, humanistic level.
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The Unpredictability of Success: Solomon notes that the "race is not to the swift" (Eccl. 9:11), reminding us that human effort alone does not guarantee outcomes, highlighting our need for divine dependence.
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The Value of Quiet Wisdom: The sermon explores the story of the "poor wise man" who saved a city, illustrating that influence and value are not always tied to status or wealth.
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Enjoyment as a Mandate: A primary theme is the biblical exhortation to enjoy life's simple pleasures—food, family, and work—as gifts from God today.
Message References:
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Ecclesiastes 9:11–18: The core passage addressing the unpredictability of life, the inevitability of death, and the superior value of wisdom over strength.
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Matthew 6:25–34: A supporting New Testament connection where Jesus commands us not to worry about tomorrow but to seek first the kingdom of God.
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Psalm 46:10: Highlighting the necessity of "being still" to truly know God amidst the noise of the rat race.
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Philippians 4:6–7: A vital reference for replacing worry with prayer and experiencing the peace that surpasses understanding.
