Who is like the wise? Who knows the explanation of things? A person’s wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance. – Ecclesiastes 8:1

Today’s Scripture Reading (February 3, 2026): Ecclesiastes 8

Mark Twain argued that “If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.” The novelist/humorist might have been one of the wisest men who lived because so much that he wrote about should be published under the heading of “Wisdom for Life.”

Consider this Twain quote: “The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.” I couldn’t agree more, though following that newfound purpose is not always easy. But if we know why we are here, then we can set forth a plan to follow that purpose.

Let me give you one more Twain quote: “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” I live in a world that needs all of the kindness we can get. And it is not just the deaf and the blind, but all of us who need more kindness in our lives. However, I strongly believe in something else that Twain doesn’t say. If you want to receive kindness, then give kindness. So many of us sow bitterness, hoping to receive kindness. Life doesn’t seem to work that way. We need to “be the change we want to see in the world,” which is not a Twain quote, but is most often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, although we really don’t know where the quote originated. But our ignorance doesn’t erase the truth. We need to exhibit to the world the very things we want to see in it. If you want to receive kindness, be kind. If you want to receive love, give love. If you want others to forgive you, forgive them.

The Preacher makes an amazing comment as he continues his writing of Ecclesiastes. He is looking for a wise person who understands how things work. However, he also says that a wise person is also a happy person. Wisdom has the ability to “brighten our faces” and “change the hard appearances” that our faces often reflect. Why? Maybe because we have no lies to remember, we know why we are here and have a plan for our future, and we are receiving the kindness, love, and forgiveness that we are giving to others. Oh, and by the way, in the process of getting to this place in our lives, we will have stopped competing with each other because I can’t truly be kind and want the best for you if I am still focused on myself. All of these things should make us happier, brightening our faces and changing our stern appearance.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 9