Filling The Void 07.29.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Tuesday July 29, 2008 and today we are beginning our studies on the book of Ecclesiastes. Please read Chapters 1-4 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & Paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiates%201-4&version=9

The book of Ecclesiastes is the twentifirst book of the Old Testament and contains 12 chapters. The book was written by King Solomon to Israel and all believers in general with a special emphasis towards the youth. The purpose of the book is to show all that a life apart from God is never satisfying and will always leave us searching for more to fill the void.

Today we will read and learn about the vanity (emptiness) of living for pleasure and material gain; that there is a reason for everything; and the varied proverbs of wisdom. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that no matter how many possesions we have or people we know all is vanity without God.

It would be easy to be impressed by the achievements of Solomon. He wrote of the many possessions that he had. "I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees: I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me." (Ecclesiastes 2:4-9). The key word here is me. Solomon did all of these things for himself. With each increasing excess, he found less and less pleasure in what he got and was always wanting more.

Solomon's adventure in search of satisfaction apart from God ended in moral and spiritual disaster. Eventually he declared, "Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done." (2:11-12). The word vanity means that all is superficial or empty, the word vexation means to face displeasure or an annoyance which means that Solomon declared that without God all his possessions were superficial and displeasing.

Sadly, many today are still trying to gain fulfillment with earthly pursuits while ignoring the will of God. If only they realize their want for more to possess is merely a need for God. The wisest man on earth tried to substitute man's limited knowledge for the limitless wisdom of God in order to gain satisfaction and popularity. He only succeeded in avoiding God's best for himself as well as for his kingdom. 

Solomon assumed that his vast material wealth was great not realizing that spiritually he was a beggar. Worldly greatness is deceptive in that men imagine that they will eventually reach satisfaction, but their empty souls always desire more.

Each of us needs to consider what God's purpose is for our brief lives here on earth. Are we doing things to satisfy our own needs or are we following the path that God has chosen for us. We were not created to become satisfied with the things that were set before us, but to become the person He desires us to be and to accomplish His purpose for our lives. This is not merely a decision we make in a moment, but one that determines a lifetime and eternity. Remember, God blesses all who will put Him first. "(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:32-33).

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through God, the true source of wisdom, and knowledge, and joy. (Ecclesiastes 2:26). "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ." (I Corinthians 2:16).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
As we diligently labor for You it is not to bring attention to ourselves, but it is to bring glory to Your name and further the kingdom of God. Help us to find our place of Christian service where we can develop our gifts and expend our labors for building up the body of Christ. In Jesus' name....Amen.

Have a great and wonderful day!
God bless,
Christina

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