ECCLESIASTES 2:1-11 – I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man. So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”
THEME OF THE DAY: IT TRULY IS VANITY. King Solomon was the wisest man ever to live, yet he was quite foolish. He forgot the two most important lessons in life, and here they are – the brevity of life and the vanity of seeking contentment apart from God.
These are two lessons we must learn also, the earlier in life the better, and then to work diligently not to forget them. The first one, the brevity of life, we have ample places and things to keep it fresh in our minds. A trip to a cemetery, attending a funeral, or getting a tough medical diagnosis will do a thorough work in our hearts about the brevity of life. We also have the aging process. Things we physically accomplished not too long ago with little difficulty, now come with extra pain and discomfort.
The second lesson from Solomon is very sad – the attempt to be content in the things of the world and not God. He knew better. Go through today’s scripture and notice all the ways he tried to bring pleasure, contentment, and satisfaction in his life. He went through everything possible and it was nothing but vanity.
Here is a good exercise. Get an 8 ½ by 11 piece of paper. Make two columns. One labeled “Solomon’s Pursuits” and the other, “My Pursuits”. Write down all the vain things Solomon sought, apart from the Lord, to fulfill him. Then, do the same personally. It will be quite eye-opening if we are seeking from the world what is only found in the Lord.
There is only one thing and One Person who brings true contentment in life – a healthy spiritual life and the Lord Jesus. Should we try to substitute anything in this world for the Lord Jesus, we are going to come to the same conclusion as Solomon – vanity, vanity, all is vanity.
May God help us learn these invaluable life lessons and to do so before we are in the twilight of life. It will ensure we don’t look back with regrets and remorse.
PRAYER: “Father, forgive me when I attempt to find contentment in the vain things of this world.”
QUOTE: “Nothing in this world can bring peace to the heart and rest for the mind except Jesus.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim