As most of you know last week we started a new series entitled “Getting the most out of Life”. It’s a study on the book of Ecclesiastes. Tim started off the series talking about how Solomon was complaining about life and how there is nothing new. It’s always the same old thing. He comically portrayed a sad lingering guy with a woe is me attitude writing the book. This week we are hosting Darrell White and he will be preaching a stand alone message, and then next week I will be preaching the second message in our Ecclesiastes series.
As I have was reading through Eccl. chapter two today is was clear that Solomon was searching. He basically tries everything in life in search of joy and happiness. Check it out.
The Vanity of Pleasure
2 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[a] 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.
Solomon tried everything and pursued everything he laid his eyes on. He withheld absolutely nothing from himself. 2500 yrs later we are still trying everything that he tried just to bring us some kind of meaning and happiness. Down in chapter 2 and verse 26 the answer is made clear “For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight”
Whatever you are searching for, only God can provide. The people we come in contact with every day are searching. We have the answer. It’s Jesus. It’s in being born again and having a relationship with God through Christ. What are we doing to point them to Him? My challenge to each one of us is to point others to the cross. Whether that’s inviting them to church, or asking them to go out to coffee or whatever. Do something! Nothing will ever bring us fulfillment apart from Him.
It’s funny, but an old hymn came into my head when I was reading this chapter today. It’s called “All that Thrills my Soul”. The chorus says “All that thrills my soul is Jesus. He is more than life to me. And the fairest of ten thousand, in my blessed Lord I see.” I hope that Jesus is thrilling your soul today!
Comments
Post a Comment