I'm reading the book of Ecclesiastes. This is where Solomon summarizes his attempts at finding satisfaction and contentment in the things of the world. Solomon states his summary in the first part of the book - "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." Solomon goes on to say all that he has chased after in his life has left him empty. Like holding smoke, it dissipates; like sand through your fingers, it escapes. Trying to grab onto happiness by chasing after wisdom, pleasure and possessions is useless. These things won't satisfy you apart from God. Solomon was frustrated at what he saw as injustices in life. In his eyes, real justice was a vain thing.
God has put eternity in our hearts and nothing in this fallen world will completely fulfill this emptiness and longing we feel except God. We are all in God's hand, we will all die and we will all step into eternity. Until that time comes everything we do should be done with all your might. Our time is short and we won't get these opportunities again.
The race is not to the swift,
Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise,
Nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favor to men of skill;
But time and chance happen to them all.
12 For man also does not know his time:
Like fish taken in a cruel net,
Like birds caught in a snare,
So the sons of men are snared in an evil time,
When it falls suddenly upon them.
Time is short. We don't know how long we have. We tend to chase after all kinds of things to make us happy. Solomon says, you'll never find it. Commit your ways to God and then "Cast your bread upon the waters" and live life with what is given you. Living your life committed to God is the closest you will come to fulfillment and contentment in this life.
Solomon didn't have any direct knowledge of Jesus Christ, he only knew of a coming messiah. We have an advantage in knowing the savior and all the words he spoke to us of the new covenant. If Solomon knew these things, I think he would tell us to find contentment in Jesus Christ by committing our life to Him. We were purchased by His blood and though he promises us much about eternity, he doesn't promise us a cushy life. We live in a fallen world full of disease, fires, natural disasters, car wrecks and on and on. Bad things will happen to us, that's life. We can only come close to contentment by having an eternal perspective. This is only available through Jesus Christ. If we are redeemed by Jesus Christ, this life will end and we will find a fulfillment and contentment beyond what we can imagine.
Psalm 16:6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.
Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Proverbs 14:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
Ecclesiastes 2:24 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God,
Ecclesiastes 3:12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
1Corinthians 7:17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.
Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
1Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Doug
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