“Test You With Pleasure”
I
thought in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out
what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless.
"Laughter," I said, "is foolish. And what does pleasure
accomplish?" I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my
mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men
to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
I undertook great
projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and
parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made reservoirs to water
groves of flourishing trees. I bought male and female slaves and had other
slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than
anyone in
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 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.
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
Sometimes
we chase the sun, others the dog, or the child, or anything else. We can chase
after pleasure, laughter, wine, wisdom, houses, gardens, money, possessions,
and music. But all of that means nothing unless you are chasing God to be a
good solid loving witness for Him.
Are
you chasing after some of the same things Solomon was? Purpose and satisfaction come only from
knowing and obeying God.
Only God can fill an empty heart.
Our Daily Bread –