I said to myself, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself." And behold, it too was futility (Ecclesiastes 2:1). Wouldn’t you like to take that test? This verse has always intrigued me. In the context of the next 11 verses, Solomon doesn’t hold anything back from himself. If it’s something that seems like it would be fun, or bring fulfillment in any way, he did it or bought it or enjoyed it. And yet, in verse 11, he says it’s all vanity!
That’s not very encouraging, I know, but I didn’t set out to write something this week that would encourage you by making you think of all the fun (yet vain) things there are to do or enjoy in this world. The fact that they are vain is why they are discouraging, not encouraging. I want to encourage you with what, in this context, is not vain. Solomon says he turned to compare wisdom and madness and folly (Ecclesiastes 2:12). And what he found was that wisdom exceeds folly like light exceeds darkness (verse 13). And this is what’s encouraging about that fact: you can have wisdom.
I don’t think any of you will ever have the wealth that Solomon had. Some of you may have enough money to test yourself with a lot, but you won’t be able to match Solomon’s experiment. Praise God that you don’t have to! Solomon has already shown us (at the direction of the Holy Spirit) that those things are vain; that means they won’t do us any good when it comes to true happiness and fulfillment. Wisdom is what he recommends.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel very wise, sometimes. I agree that wisdom is what I need more of, but how do I get it? James has the answer: But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:5).
True fulfillment in life comes from living the faithful, Christian life. That takes wisdom. It takes knowledge. It takes faith and faithful obedience to His commands. You don’t have to be the richest person in the world like Solomon was. You don’t have to have the best of everything material. You don’t have to have all the answers, either. You have to be a faithful child of God if you want fulfillment in your life. Look at how Solomon finished his sermon: The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Humble yourself before God so He can lift you up and have a wonderful week of service to Him. He loves you and so do I.
Donnie Bates