-Devotion by Paula Kirkpatrick (MN)
It’s the end of a long hard day, and nothing went the way you planned when you awoke that morning. The coffeemaker quit—you don’t have time to pick up coffee on the way to work because you are already late. Overcast skies reflect your mood. Entering the door of your office, someone has piled ten new files on your desk for you to tackle. There is no time for lunch, so you grab a stale granola bar from your desk drawer. On the way home during a rainy commute, your car gets a flat tire. Starting to call for help, you realize you forgot to charge your phone last night, and it is out of battery power! At the end of your rope, you exclaim, “I hate my life!”
Would you believe that the wisest man that ever lived once stated the same thing?
“So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.” (Ecclesiastes 2:17)
Reading that declaration, it’s hard to comprehend that King Solomon began his reign over the nation of Israel in humility and with a sincere heart to serve God.
When Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar of Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and told him, “Ask what you wish me to give you” (I Kings 3:5a)
“Then Solomon said, ‘You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. So, give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?’” (I Kings 3:6-9)
God was pleased with Solomon’s reply, particularly that he had not asked for a long life, or riches, or revenge to his enemies. Consequently, God granted Solomon’s request and so much more.
“Behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.” (I Kings 3:12-14)
What remarkable blessings for the start of Solomon’s reign—wisdom, honor, long life. What more could he desire? With these incredible gifts from God, his fame spread.
“Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. Men came from all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.” (I Kings 4:30,34)
Ecclesiastes 2 shares a first-person summary of Solomon’s activities. He experimented with wine and folly; built houses and planted vineyards; made gardens and parks and ponds; bought slaves and possessed larger and larger herds; collected silver and gold and treasures of others; enjoyed the pleasures of many concubines; and became greater than all who preceded him.
Yet, this all-wise, anointed king of Israel was not immune to sin. His hundreds of wives and concubines allowed idol worship to creep into his kingdom. Despite building the temple in accordance with God’s direction, despite writing thousands of proverbs, because of Solomon’s sin, Israel became a divided kingdom after his reign.
Whatever Solomon desired he had obtained, as a reward for his labor. Yet, he realized it all was meaningless. The same fate awaited the wise and the fool.
Solomon exclaimed, “So, I hated life!” (Ecclesiastes 2:17a)
Solomon went on to express his dismay that all his work and accomplishments could be diminished or destroyed by his successor. So, what was the point? He answered his own question.
“There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?” (Ecclesiastes 2:24,25)
Only with God, only with our Creator, our loving Father, can we enjoy the fruits of our labor. As Solomon expressed, “Who can have enjoyment without Him?”
Yes, we have bad days when we voice our anguish. But God is on His throne. He hears our concerns, He calms our fears, offers His comfort. God and God alone is the reason we exist. Living for God and God alone, is the only way to enjoy this life as we anticipate His coming kingdom.
“But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless (II Peter 3:13,14)
Reflection Questions
- What do you do to lift yourself up when you have a bad day?
- If the Lord appeared to you in a dream, like he did Solomon, and said “Ask what you wish me to give you,” what would your answer be?
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank You for the gifts of life and labor, food and drink, companionship along the way, and the sun that rises and sets every day. Mostly though, thank You for being You, the Great God who sees, hears, knows, provides, and cares. Without You, who can have enjoyment? Help me train my eyes, heart and mind to focus on Your greatness and Your goals for me when I am looking instead at the size of my trials, needs or moods. Show me what sin is and make me wise and strong to pursue righteousness instead so I am ready to live in Your new heavens and earth with You and Your Son.
Seek Grow Love 