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.
Why study the Bible? Let us examine some thoughts on that subject…..
**Study the Bible to learn who God is.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1 Timothy 3:16-17
**Study the Bible to find spiritual guidance.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
**Study the Bible to grow spiritually.
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1 Peter 2:1-3
We will examine a few more thoughts next week. In the meantime, let us read and study our Bibles regularly.
12 Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly; For what can the man do who succeeds the king?– Only what he has already done. 13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly As light excels darkness. 14 The wise man’s eyes are in his head, But the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived That the same event happens to them all. 15 So I said in my heart, “As it happens to the fool, It also happens to me, And why was I then more wise?” Then I said in my heart, “This also is vanity.” 16 For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever, Since all that now is will be forgotten in the days to come. And how does a wise man die?
Ecclesiastes 2:12-17
Death comes to all. The fool and the wise alike are still subject to the same fate. We all die. Hebrews 9:27 reminds us that we are appointed to death because of our sin.
Jesus is our hope for forgiveness. Jesus is our hope for heaven. Without Him, we are lost and separated from God. In Christ, we are saved, sanctified, and secured. Are you ready for death? That day is approaching for all us.
Trust in Jesus and be saved. Repent of your sins and turn to Jesus. Death, indeed, comes to all.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58
As believers, we are commanded to be steadfast and immovable in what we believe. We are urged to trust in the Word of God and to be abundant in our service for God. Why are these commands given? Let’s think about this today.
We are commanded to be immovable in the Word and the work of the Lord because Jesus rose from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15 details the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. His resurrection is grounded in history through these witnesses. His death, burial, and resurrection assures victory for all Christians. Therefore, we can continue to serve Him daily.
We are also commanded to be immovable because of the truth with which we have been entrusted. We understand that Scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and that is has God as its ultimate author (2 Peter 1:19-21). These precepts allow us to keep believing and trusting the Bible even when we don’t always understand.
Ultimately, we can remain immovable because of the faith of those who have come before us. There is indeed a “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) that accompany us on our journey. Down through the centuries, others have believed what we believe and have practiced what we seek to practice. It is comforting to know that others have struggled and suffered persecution and yet still kept the faith.
Their faith encourages us to go on today. Their example urges us forward in faith until we see Jesus. What about us? When our time on earth is done, may it be said of us that we were steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the word of the Lord!
I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure”; but surely, this also was vanity. 2 I said of laughter–“Madness!”; and of mirth, “What does it accomplish?” 3 I searched in my heart how to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives. 4 I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. 5 I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove. 7 I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments of all kinds. 9 So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. 10 Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
Solomon’s attempt to find meaning in life is the stuff of legend. He tried many things in order to find peace and contentment. And each time, these pursuits came up empty.
The “preacher” chased after pleasure to the full. The pleasures of life were given to him in abundance. But, they were never enough and left him empty.
Next, Solomon pursued money and great building projects. He built palaces, public works and even the temple. But, once again, these pursuits do not give him the peace and passion he longs for.
Finally, Solomon sought lasting meaning in his power. Power was heaped upon him as one of the greatest kings of his day. Even that power was not enough to shake him from his conclusion that all is vanity and meaninglessness.
Only Jesus can bring satisfaction. Trust in Him today and everyday!
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
Genesis 3:8-9
In the midst of human rebellion the Lord still calls out “Where are you?” to His creation. God’s mercy is on display even at the worst of times. Verses 8-9 reveal 4 things about the Lord’s love and grace……….
12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. 15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, And what is lacking cannot be numbered. 16 I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
The conclusion of chapter 1 deals with the meaninglessness of purely, human wisdom. While human wisdom is greater than foolishness, it too is limited. Solomon was given great wisdom. Yet, the wisdom he had did not help to ease his frustrations when viewing the paradoxical nature of life. Instead, His wisdom only made the futility and madness of life on this planet more plainly seen and easily discerned.
What is the point of all this? The world’s knowledge, the world’s pleasure, and the world’s prominence will never bring true satisfaction and will only lead one to a meaningless existence. Solomon tried it all and every time was left with one thought—“all is vanity.”
The only hope we have is Jesus Christ. If you are not a Christian, trust Jesus as your Savior today. Call upon Him and ask Him to forgive you and save you. Believe that He died and rose again for you and trust Him to reconcile you.
The world’s goods and delights can never fulfill your deepest longings. Only Jesus can do that! Trust Him today.
Believers, we ought to spend our time pursuing Jesus. While we must live in this world, let’s not be too at home here. We are called to a higher plane of living and being. Seek godliness and Christlikeness instead of this worlds allures.
Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.
Genesis 40:23
Do you ever feel as if you have been forgotten? Perhaps you feel you even been unremembered by the Lord?
Joseph understood this emotion. He was forgotten for over two years and languished in prison. Yet, God was faithful all along and the story of Joseph ends with him as a ruler and not as a convict. God’s plan unfolded marvelously in Joseph’s life and it change the entire course of history.
If you feel abandoned today, I cannot promise you that God will make you a ruler in the end. I cannot guarantee that your life will be perfect or trouble-free. I can, however, remind you that Jesus has not forgotten you. He promised to be with you forever as you follow Him.
Think deeply about these Scriptures today and be blessed!
“And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:18
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
mrtonyfrench 