Life Without God

17 Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind. 18 Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. 20 Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun. 21 For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; yet he must leave his heritage to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22 For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? 23 For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.

Life without God also renders work and labor meaningless. Solomon was famous for his great achievements and building projects. Some of the great buildings in the history of Israel were built during the reign of King Solomon.

Even success in work, however, was not enough to give him substance and significance. He couldn’t seem to enjoy his success knowing that once he died, someone else would take credit for his labor and someone else would spend his resources. His success was no salve to the restlessness for his soul. 

Only Jesus can provide true peace. Christ alone can give us ultimate purpose. Look to Jesus, Child of God, and be filled with His peace.

Tony French