~Old Testament Scenarios~
Ecclesiastes
“So I hated life,
because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me.
All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 2:17 (NIV)
"Are You Feeling The Squeeze?"
Wow, I’m thinking Solomon was beyond just having a bad hair day here. My guess is that he was in a “bad place” emotionally and possibly even at the end of his rope. Scripture says that his soul was vexed. Can you hear from this statement his frustrations with all his futile pursuits that were now leaving him empty and unsatisfied? I wonder if his soul felt to him more as a massive grand canyon and all those thoughts of striving "after things” now just seem to be a faint laugh echoing back at him saying, “Fool, fool”. Did Solomon feel alone here in his feelings, did he feel abandoned or shamed by his worldliness?
Do you know this heavy cloak of dissatisfaction? The type of cloak that wraps itself around your heart consuming the very life from you as it tries to squeeze out hope? Hopelessness is a frightening place to be and the enemy of our soul would like to try and keep us there. He is a liar and a thief, and we cannot give in to those feelings. Shame is never from our Lord! Share your honest feelings with someone you feel is safe and let them “carry your hope for you” until you can find it again yourself. Don’t take your eyes off the Prize and don’t lose sight of your purpose here. God IS at work in your life!
I think it is so interesting, those small but powerful words, "done under the sun" for if we are in God's will then everything we pursue that is within His will and done for His glory will never leave us unsatisfied and there will never even be a hint of hopelessness. All the wisdom Solomon acquired, all the passions of the flesh he tried to devour, all the riches he had, were vanity to him (like trying to hit the wind); because he did all of it for himself. God's work is done “above the sun” and for the SON. Those with a kingdom heart and mind put God's will above their own, and they are satisfied with nothing for themselves except an all consuming desire to know the Lord more. How's that going for you? With that in mind, can you now easily throw off that burdensome cloak of despair? Instead, put on Christ. Walk out in the promises that are yours as a child of the Most High God.
We find Solomon was so correct with his statement that all he strives to build will just go to someone else and they probably won't take care of it anyway. That is exactly what happened with his son who took over the reign after Solomon's death. Rehoboam lost it all.
There are false gods everywhere - some made of wood, stone, or a variety of other materials. In man’s foolishness, he seems to run after them until they become empty for him. Why? Why worship anything dead? We need to be worshiping El Chay, “The Living God” who is Creator of heaven and earth. He desires fellowship with us. He is the One who breathes life into our very soul and gives each of us Living Water to satisfy the thirsty soul.
This is your day; God has given it to you. What will you do with it? May this be your moment to prayerfully consider if you are striving for man-made idols and might be in need of repentance, and then return back to our ever-loving and forgiving Lord!
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,
set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV)