How to Repair Despair
Ecclesiastes 2:17-23 "17Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind. 18Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. 19And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. 20Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun. 21For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; yet he must leave his heritage to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? 23For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity."
Solomon hated his life. He had it all and all did not satisfy. He had scientifically studied the idea of a fulfilling life only to be met with one dead end after another. He hated life because all of life apart from God is meaningless. The billionaire and his dog both go to the same grave.
Solomon knew the truth. That everything one could accumulate in one’s life is eventually left to those who will squander it. Solomon expanded Israel to its greatest influence, its largest borders and increased its wealth beyond that of even King David. Yet immediately upon his death, his son Rehoboam raised taxes, increased forced labor and divided the kingdom of Israel from 12 down to just 2 tribes.
Solomon learned a valuable lesson. A life lived apart from God is temporary, empty, and meaningless. A life lived with God is a life lived for God. A life of faith turns despair to hope. It brings about meaning to the meaningless. Purpose to pain. Repair your despair by living your life for the only One who matters!
Ecclesiastes 2:17-23 "17Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind. 18Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. 19And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. 20Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun. 21For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; yet he must leave his heritage to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? 23For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity."
Solomon hated his life. He had it all and all did not satisfy. He had scientifically studied the idea of a fulfilling life only to be met with one dead end after another. He hated life because all of life apart from God is meaningless. The billionaire and his dog both go to the same grave.
Solomon knew the truth. That everything one could accumulate in one’s life is eventually left to those who will squander it. Solomon expanded Israel to its greatest influence, its largest borders and increased its wealth beyond that of even King David. Yet immediately upon his death, his son Rehoboam raised taxes, increased forced labor and divided the kingdom of Israel from 12 down to just 2 tribes.
Solomon learned a valuable lesson. A life lived apart from God is temporary, empty, and meaningless. A life lived with God is a life lived for God. A life of faith turns despair to hope. It brings about meaning to the meaningless. Purpose to pain. Repair your despair by living your life for the only One who matters!
Posted in Sermon Devotionals
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