NOTHING'S NEW

Is there anything of which one
might say, “See this, it is new?”
Already it has existed for ages
which were before us.
Ecclesiastes 1:10

Lately I've been reading through the book of Ecclesiastes...yes, it's really a book in the Bible. It's one of those that is nestled between Proverbs and Song of Solomon. I remember where it is because both Proverbs and Song of Solomon were penned by Solomon with Holy Spirit leading. It's understandable that Ecclesiastes should be found in between those two books. So often we feel that much of the Bible is out of date. Even Christians who love God's Word can take on that attitude if they aren't careful. I look at this particular book and wonder if Solomon wasn't looking into the future of our living room windows, halls of Congress, Wall street investment desks and maybe even into our church buildings
.

Solomon was a blessed man. At the beginning of his reign, he gave the right answer when God told him he could have anything he wanted. He could have had military power, riches and whatever else many people would have asked for. Solomon simply asked for wisdom. As a result, God added those other things to the list Solomon might have desired because Solomon had given God the answer He wanted.

Unfortunately, the wisdom and riches God gave him didn't seem to be enough. Eventually, his pride and riches became compulsions in his life and in this book that is also considered a wisdom book, gives his frustration with all of his achievements.

First, in 1:13,17 of this book, Solomon said, “I set my mind.” In verse 13 he set his mind on wisdom.. In verse 17, Solomon's goal was similar in that he wanted his mind to know wisdom. For a time, all went well, but before he knew it, in both cases, he ended up in the middle of folly and things that didn't matter. We must be careful what we set our minds on because we will usually do all we can to achieve whatever it is. Solomon also decided in 1:18:

Because in much wisdom there is much grief,

and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.

In chapters 2 & 3, Solomon spoke of all the things he added to his coffers. He seems to speak of where we might be in our day in 2:10.

All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them.
I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure,
for my heart was pleased because of all my
labor and this was my reward for all my labor.

I can hear us now. I may have said something similar at times. “I've worked hard and there's nothing wrong with buying myself some things I want and deserve. I can buy anything I set my mind on and can have as much fun as I want.” Does any of that sound familiar. It's pretty much the mind set of our society today.

My prayer for us is we will live lives that will honor God in every way whether it be in our work, spending, possessions, or amusements. If the richest man who lived came to know the folly of riches and things of this world that were for nothing, can't we learn as well. Our responsibility is to set our minds on things that honor and please our Father. May our longing for more of God's wisdom in our lives be an ongoing desire of our hearts.

Dear Father, I'm so grateful that You never change. You decided how things should be long before time began and you have adhered to those things to the letter. Thank You for Your provisions in my life that are just what You want for me. I praise You today for who You are in my life. Thank You for Jesus and it's in His name I pray....Amen