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Meaningless, MeaninglessEverything is Meaningless

What does it take to be contented?

Thoughts to Ponder: Naked a man comes from his mothers womb, and as he comes,

so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand.

Ecclesiastes 5:15 (NIV)

King Solomon, Davids son, was the last of the kings of Israel before the mighty nation was

divided into the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel and Judah, respectively. Upon

coming into power, Solomon prayed to God in I Kings 3:9, So give your servant a

discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.

For who is able to govern this great people of yours? Solomon could have asked for

power or wealth, but instead he requested wisdom. God was so pleased with thisapplication for discernment in administering justice that Solomon was given his appeal for

wisdom, but additionally God gifted him with riches and honor, so that in your lifetime

you will have no equal among kings.(13b of I Kings 3) Furthermore, God spoke, And if

you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I

will give you a long life.(Verse 14)

How incredibly blessed was this son of Davids. He was given power. He accumulated

riches. And he was endowed with wisdom for making decisions. There was none greater

than King Solomon. However, Solomon writes in the Book of Ecclesiastes that everythingin life is meaningless! What caused such a change of heart? In Ecclesiastes, Solomon

pens, Ithought to myself, Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than

anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom

and knowledge. Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of

madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. For

with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.

What could possibly be missing for Solomon? He attempts to figure it out by explaining in

Chapter 2 of Ecclesiastes he has tried laughter, has embraced folly and wine, undertook

great projects, built homes and vineyards, made gardens, parks and planted fruit trees.

He constructed reservoirs to water groves, bought slaves, owned herds and flocks,

amassed silver and gold, acquired singers and a harem. He ends with I denied myself

nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in

all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that

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my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a

chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

Did Solomon think back to an important guideline given by God when wisdom was imparted

to him initially? Did he remember, And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes

and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life. Obedience,

Solomon, thats what the Lord requires of all of us. The more we have, the more we want.

The more we want the less we think we have until one day we realize the accumulation of

stuffdoesnt stockpile satisfaction or contentment.

How is contentment acquired? Why is it that some folk that have so little appear so happy

and at peace? What lesson do we need to learn from Solomon? Look closely at the

meaning of the word content. Webster defines this term as satisfiedor to limit oneself

in requirements or actions. The Encarta definitions include; quietly satisfied and happy;

accept or make do with something, rather than taking further action or making more

demands.

It is relatively impossible for a human being to be content in and of themselves. The

human race will continually find a reason to compare or compete. Most individuals want to

be recognized as being the best or having the best and the issue of contentment is

wrapped into that false package. God emphatically desires our obedience and focus to be

on Him. Once we correct our vision, we are given the attributes of contentment, peace,

joy and the rest of the Fruit of the Spirit. We dont have to grapple for the desires of

the human heart, they will be freely given as a result of our obedience to a loving God.

Think about the word contentment again. Write it on a pad of paper and begin to place a

word or phrase for each letter used in this word. Meditate on attributes that would bring

glory to the Lord of Lords. For instance;

Courageous to speak about the Lord without fear of rejection or ridicule

Obedient to the nudges God lays on the heart whether it be to teach a class at church,

help park cars on Sunday morning or aid the next-door-neighbor with bringing in his/hergroceries.

Never neglect the positives regarding your personal worth remembering Jesus gave His

life so that you might have life eternal. You are that important to the Creator God!

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Thank God daily for the blessings He freely gives remembering family and the provision

of daily bread!

Exuberance over the fact that another day has dawned to worship the Lord and one more

chance has been given to exemplify a life full of blessings!

Newness; each day is a clean slate of new opportunity. How will you use this gift of 24

hours?

Thoughts of purity and peace can only be obtained after being washed in the blood of

Jesus Christ. Accompany a renewed mind with a prayer of dedication each morning.

What will you do with the remaining letters of M, E, N, T?

Solomon ended his writing in Ecclesiastes with these two verses of 13 and 14 of Chapter

12; Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter; Fear God and keep

his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed

into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Solomon recognized that God sees, God hears, God knows our hearts and actions, Fear

God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Find your

contentment in Jesus Christ and all the details of life will abide under Gods mighty wings

of provision and care.

Thank you, Father, for desiring that your children live in contentment, joy and peace.

Help our human tendencies to realize that worldly pleasures are carnal cravings that

will never be satisfied. Our souls were made to thirst for the living water that is

able to quench an eternal longing for heaven, not an earthly lifestyle of immense

possessions and fame. Get our priorities in order, Lord, reminding us this home on

earth is only temporarythe next stop is forevermore!