Wisdom Wednesday
I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
and this was the reward for all my toil.
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
I think all of us deep down suspect that if we had enough money and enough freedom to do whatever we wanted, then life would be great. Do you think that deep down?
Solomon had two thousand wives. Enough money to do everything and have everything his eyes desired. In chapter 1 we are told he built monuments that showed his greatness, and for a time, these toils gave him some delight. But when it came to survey all that he had done… It’s almost as if Solomon is singing U2 - I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.
But there is a lesson in this for us. An opportunity to learn wisdom. No amount of achievement, no amount of entertainment, no family or community, no material thing can ever truly satisfy us. As the writer of Ecclesiastes writes at the conclusion of his reflection in chapter 12,
“here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.”
We would be wise to listen today. Not just because it’s the right thing to do. But also because it’s the true path to deep satisfaction and joy in life.
For Today:
Pray:
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
and this was the reward for all my toil.
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
I think all of us deep down suspect that if we had enough money and enough freedom to do whatever we wanted, then life would be great. Do you think that deep down?
Solomon had two thousand wives. Enough money to do everything and have everything his eyes desired. In chapter 1 we are told he built monuments that showed his greatness, and for a time, these toils gave him some delight. But when it came to survey all that he had done… It’s almost as if Solomon is singing U2 - I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.
But there is a lesson in this for us. An opportunity to learn wisdom. No amount of achievement, no amount of entertainment, no family or community, no material thing can ever truly satisfy us. As the writer of Ecclesiastes writes at the conclusion of his reflection in chapter 12,
“here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.”
We would be wise to listen today. Not just because it’s the right thing to do. But also because it’s the true path to deep satisfaction and joy in life.
For Today:
- What do you think will bring true happiness?
- What is one thing that has failed to bring the satisfaction you thought it would?
- How could you find satisfaction in loving God & people today?
Pray:
- Praise the Father that He is truly satisfied.
- Give thanks for Jesus who gives us life and life to the full through the giving of His life.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others find true satisfaction in Him.
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