Have you ever wondered what life is supposed to be about? Not just your life, but life in general? It's so unpredictable. Everything is fine one minute, and the next, trouble sets in. Sometimes it's one blow after another. Life is full of ups and downs and dreams and desires, and the decisions we make to remedy and fulfill them; both good and bad.
Through much time and prayer, I've landed in the book of Ecclesiastes. Our author is King Solomon. Curiously enough, he likens life under the sun to chasing the wind. Seems accurate. Perhaps we'll notice parallels to our own lives along the way. Maybe his shared experience will inspire us to learn from his mistakes. After all, each of us is on a path to a forever destination, and seeking it is the most important journey you'll ever take.
I pray that God awakens the sleeping, and for those of you who are already awake, may you see all that God intends. I pray you have the privilege of being used by Him as a light in a dark world—a world headed for destruction.
I'm not sure how much, or even if, you are aware of the rabid immorality in our midst. That may seem like a silly statement, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the fact that many are not aware of it at all! So let us be careful not to throw caution to the wind. With how far and fast we've fallen, there is a real danger of becoming desensitized. Jesus's exhortation is to, "take heed that no one deceives you" (Matthew 24:4).
When Solomon became king, he led his whole assembly to the place of worship. He went before the altar and sacrificed a thousand burnt offerings to the LORD. Later that evening, in a dream, God appeared to Solomon, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it. Though he could have asked for anything, Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge to lead His people. (see 2 Chronicles 1:1-10)
Think about that for a moment. His heart was in the right place; at least when he was a young man. I've often wondered what I would have asked for if I were Solomon, especially early in my walk with Jesus. I think it's safe to say, it probably would not have been wisdom. Though the longer I've walked with Him, and the more I seek His heart, the more my heart and perspective align with His. Having said that, I am very grateful I've never had all Solomon ended up acquiring.
God responded to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. (2 Chronicles 1:11-12a ESV).
Scripture says that Solomon became wiser than all men (1 Kings 4:31).
I think we can be sure that this particular part of Scripture does not align in anyway with our current situation—
Just saying!
Though the condition of Solomon's heart did end up in a similar place. He had much wisdom, yet his heart was still corrupt. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" (Jer 17:9)
[The LORD continued] I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.” (vs12b ESV).
Solomon had a hard time following his own wisdom. God gave him everything in order that he use it to serve His people. I guess it's not difficult to imagine how that kind of money and power can rule a person. Jesus made it clear that it's impossible to serve both God and money. Notice the word serve, it's not about having, it's about whatever is ruling your heart. Somewhere along the way Solomon's eyes shifted to earthly things causing his heart to turn from the LORD. He spent so many years focusing on the horizontal, there was no more room for the Vertical.
Not much has changed in the human heart has it? We spend much too much time striving to fill every earthly desire we have—seeking ways to live longer, even forever. Worshipping self, each other, stuff, status, the planet, nature, even purpose—anything but the God who created everything. We have not only become the god of our own lives, but many are deceived into believing they can become God themselves.
Think about it, we have decided just because we CAN do something, we
ought to; but the Bible tells us the polar opposite.
Paul wrote it this way, "Everything is permissible", but not everything is beneficial. (1 Cor 10:23)
Despite the fact that we look as though we're getting smarter, it's just an illusion. We've defied every moral, logical, and scientific conclusion in every aspect of human life, taking God out of everything. And unfortunately, much of the Church has stood by silently, creating a new Jesus to fit the narrative, in the name of inclusion and tolerance.
Solomon had it all but he let sin rule in his heart. He made many bad choices and toward the end of his life he questioned everything. He knew God existed but wrestled with whether or not following Him mattered much. So Solomon set out to discover if there is any purpose to life apart from God.
As he laments, he begins—
“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 1:2 NIV
To spite the obvious, I couldn't help but wonder what Solomon actually meant by meaningless? Other translations say vanity, pointless, or futile. The Hebrew word is hevel, which means, vapor or breath.
That changes everything I thought he meant. He's not technically saying that life is meaningless, but rather it's empty; hard to grasp, like trying to grab hold of a mist or a vapor, it slips through your fingers.
For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. (James 4:14b NKJV)
Sounds pretty depressing doesn't it? Well, I guess if this is all there is, depressing would be an understatement. And that is precisely what Solomon is saying. It's all meaningless.
Without God, it is all meaningless!
If we allow ourselves, I believe we can learn a lot from Solomon. How did he go from wanting to please God by leading His people—to wanting to please himself by filling every desire he had? I think it will become clear. He sugarcoats nothing. I like that. Life is hard enough to grasp, let us not airbrush over any of it! It's essential we learn how to be honest with God as we wrestle things out before Him.
Beloved, what are you striving for? Whom or what is ruling your heart? It's never too late to begin again. His mercies are new every morning.
Paul nails it—
"Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up. No one is to seek his own good, but the good of the other person. (1 Cor 10:23b-24 CSB)
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