Where does all this vanity come
from? George Milne, Lessons for the
Christian's Daily Walk, 1859. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. Ecclesiastes 1.2. My soul, why seek your happiness
below, here in this fallen world, where all is vanity? Oft have
you tried it, anxious still to find some earthly good, as often
you have found Solomon right that all is vanity. The worldling,
too, can say that all is vanity, and yet pursues it still. Be
it not so with you. Let all that is empty here on
earth lead you to what alone will satisfy the grace of God,
the love of God, the Lamb of God, to Jesus Christ, the same
yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13.8 Have you ever asked
yourself, where does all this vanity come from? My soul, it
comes from you, and you received it from your father Adam. You
and your fellows of the human race have caused it all. Whence
comes the tempest? Whence come the earthquake, the
pestilence, the shipwreck, the blighted crop? Whence come sickness,
famine, death? Whence come bereavement, affliction
and sorrow? Whence come murder, drunkenness,
wars and immorality? Whence come all that is vile
and sad and disappointing? Whence comes the universal taint,
the wrongs, the groans, the misery of all created things? The poison
of sin that is in you has poisoned all others besides. Since you
are sinful, all is out of course. Since you are vanity, all things
here are vain. The curse that fell on you, you
have entailed on your children. My soul, be humbled with a thought,
consider, and be wise. Oh, look within your heart, for
all is vanity there. How swift for evil! How dead
to all that is good! What rank corruption! What inbred
sin! How weak your purpose is for
good! How faltering your course in
holiness! If all is vanity without, it
is tenfold vanity within. If all around is vanity, you
are the master vanity of all. Bless God then, O my soul. In Jesus, you have that which
is not vanity. In Jesus, you have all that is
solid, durable, and perfect. You have eternal riches, strength,
life, pleasure, comfort, peace. You have a sure foundation, a
rock that can never be shaken, an unfailing help.