ODM Daily Inspirational Devotional Messages Bible Verse and Prayers ODM
DCLM Daily Manna
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Keep Eternity in Focus
KEY VERSE
“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2).
Bible Reading:
Ecclesiastes 1:1-7 (KJV)
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
MESSAGE
American historian William Hendrick Van Loon once sought to describe eternity and came up with this legend: “High up in the North, in the land called Svthjod, there stands a rock. It is one hundred miles high and ten miles wide. Once every one thousand years, a little bird comes to this rock to sharpen its beak. When the rock has thus been worn away (from this activity), then a single day of eternity will have gone by.”
Today’s passage explains the transitory nature of life and the futility of human endeavours without acknowledging God. Surprisingly, men hardly learn from history but keep pursuing shadows. “What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?”
Eternity is viewed and perceived differently by various schools of thought. To some, it is a mirage, a religious concoction by religious overlords to enslave the ignorant and keep them as perpetual stooges. Others, superstitiously, assume people reincarnate after death, which is reflected in the names given to offspring at birth in some climes.
What, then, is eternity, and how does one live in its light? From the biblical point of view, eternity is associated with timelessness, a realm not bound by time, where the past, the present, and the future meet. It is associated with infinity. That is, an existence without end or bounds. It is also explained as the perpetual existence of God. It is the nature or attribute of God. The creation story relates man to God; like Him, all humans will exist forever. Apostle Paul corroborates the same truth in Acts 17:28: “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” The physical body houses the soul and spirit. When death comes, the soul leaves the body and will continue to live forever, either in heaven, with God, or in hell, with Satan, in a horrible place meant for those who reject the mercy of God through Christ.
Life is worthwhile if a man sets his affection on the things above. Only Christ Jesus offers peace and pardon with eternal bliss for those who turn from earthly pursuits and follow Him. Outside Him, there is crisis and hopelessness after life in this age. There is no satisfaction in sin. In the long run, pleasure quickly turns to poison, resulting in sorrow and regret. Let us prepare for the promised peaceful and endless eternity, guaranteed only through Christ.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Whatever your views about eternity, you will spend it somewhere.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Hebrews 1-4
COMMENTARY
1. The Vanity of Life Without God – Solomon opens Ecclesiastes with the sobering declaration that all is vanity. Life without God is empty and meaningless. Human labour, wealth, and pleasure ultimately amount to nothing if they are pursued apart from Him. The cycles of nature remind us of the fleeting nature of earthly things.
2. The Reality of Eternity – The devotional uses the vivid illustration of a bird wearing down a massive rock to describe eternity. Eternity is not a myth; it is the perpetual existence of God and the destiny of every human soul. We are created for eternity, and our lives will continue beyond the grave, either in heaven or in hell.
3. The Urgency of Preparation – The soul leaves the body at death and continues to live forever. The question is not whether we will spend eternity somewhere, but where. Christ Jesus offers peace, pardon, and eternal bliss for those who turn from sin and follow Him. Outside Him, there is crisis and hopelessness.
4. The Emptiness of Earthly Pursuits – The devotional warns that pleasure quickly turns to poison, resulting in sorrow and regret. Sin offers no satisfaction. Only a life focused on Christ and eternal things brings true fulfillment. We must set our affection on things above.
5. The DCLM Ministry’s Call to Eternal Focus – The Deeper Christian Life Ministry emphasizes the importance of keeping eternity in view. Pastor Kumuyi teaches that believers must not be consumed by earthly pursuits but must prepare for the life to come. The Daily Manna devotional calls readers to live with eternity in focus.
About DCLM and Daily Manna
The Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) was founded in 1973 by Pastor Dr. W.F. Kumuyi. From a small Bible study of 15 students in Lagos, it has grown into a global ministry with churches across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond. The ministry emphasizes holiness, prayer, Bible study, and eternal focus.
DCLM Daily Manna is a daily devotional written by Pastor Kumuyi. Each edition provides Scripture reading, exposition, and practical application to guide believers in their daily walk with God. The devotional consistently calls readers to keep eternity in view and live for Christ.
Prayer Reflection
Lord, help me to keep eternity in focus. Save me from the vanity of pursuing earthly things that pass away. Teach me to number my days and to live with wisdom. I choose to follow Christ, who alone offers eternal life. May my life bring glory to You and point others to the hope of eternity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
