What Are You Looking For In Life?

What Are You Looking For In Life?                                          May 25, 2025

“Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem.  My wisdom also stood by me.  And all that my eyes desired I did not refuse them.  I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor.  Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:9-11)

For many readers the book of Ecclesiastes seems very depressing and negative.  Yet that should not be the case for our life if God is included in it.  Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, was given an amazing degree of wisdom from God because he had asked for the wisdom to lead His people with a discerning heart so that he could judge His people on matters between good and evil.  He wanted the wisdom to rule God’s people wisely (I Kings 3:3-15; II Chronicles 1:7-12).  So it pleased God to grant him that wisdom but He gave him much more.

In II Chronicles 1:11-12 God gave Solomon riches, wealth and honor, such as none of the kings before him had possessed, nor those kings who would come after him.  Even the Queen of Sheba came to test him with difficult questions which he answered wisely.  She was so impressed by his answers and his wealth that she was breathless in his presence.  She even stated that half of his great wisdom had not been told her (II Chronicles 9:1-12).

Without being in Solomon’s presence it is hard to imagine what our reaction would be in witnessing his great wealth and wisdom.  I’m sure we would all be awe struck and speechless.  It was clear, without any doubt, that God had blessed Solomon’s life beyond words.  But what can happen when one lives consistently in such an environment?  If we’re not careful, it can open a door and provide an opportunity for Satan to enter.

Solomon was a great king but he made many mistakes while living in that greatness.  For a time in his life he didn’t deny himself of anything he wanted and that careless path didn’t bring him the satisfaction that he thought it would.  Even when he sought pleasure in every form imaginable he was not happy.  His attempts only brought unhappiness and all seemed so futile (Ecclesiastes 2:1-8). 

What was missing in Solomon’s life that was more important that all the wealth and pleasures he experienced?  It was God’s presence and approval in all that he did in life.  Without God in his life nothing was really meaningful nor did the things he choose provide him with lasting joy.  The best way to experience such happiness in life is, “fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.  For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

What are you looking for that is more satisfying than having God in your life?

Brian Thompson