One Verse in the Least-Read Book of the Bible Can Ignite a Greater Sense of Joy in Our Lives
Ecclesiastes has gems of wisdom for us if we search
Today’s word is, ENJOY.
But, first, we must tackle the problem
Everyone else has too much and we do not have enough. Stuff, that is. Do you have a problem of not running side by side in life with the “haves,” instead, walking in step with the “have nots.”
What’s the solution to this problem vexing our souls?
The writer, King Solomon, is called, The Preacher in this book. He describes all the pursuits of life as vanity. Forty times in Ecclesiastes we read the word, vanity.
The Hebrew root of the word vanity denotes “mere breath.”
Now, take a deep breath, hold it, now breathe out. You have just expressed the length of your days as seen by Solomon. A mere breath. Kind of depressing, isn’t it?
Yet, digging through The Preacher’s book, we find he has leftover wisdom words not in his previous book, Proverbs.
Ecclesiastes assures us everything has its time. A time to be born, a time to die, to laugh, and to cry. Read the complete list in chapter three.
The other notable verses are at the end of the book. Solomon sums up his writing in the last two verses. He writes the whole conclusion of the matter is to serve God and obey His commandments.
But there is more to this book than in the off-quoted verses I mentioned above. Much more.
I began by addressing a problem we carry in our souls at times. Which is the thoughts we have of never catching up to what our neighbor has. Our “have-nots” keep winning the battle over our, “haves.”
It is never a good idea to point out a problem without giving a solution.
The solution
The solution is this gem of pure wisdom in chapter six of his book.
It is so relevant in the day we are living.
Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless — like chasing the wind. (My emphasis) (Ecclesiastes 6:9 NLT).
Pastor David Jeremiah clearly identifies the meaning of this verse with a brief statement.
“Don’t let your fantasies replace your reality.”
We are living in a fantasy world today. Facebook, Twitter, blog posts, including pictures we send over the internet. All filled with smiles of impeccably groomed people. It's a world like only a few can ever live. Yet, we measure ourselves against those who only show one side of their lives.
Ecclesiastes instructs us to enjoy what we already have. This is the perfect way to begin our day. Thanking our Lord for our, “haves” rather than our “have-nots.” Read how I begin my day here.
The songwriter put to words what The preacher tells us. “Count your blessings, name them one by one.” Listen to Guy Penrod sing it here.
So, it is time to begin to recount your blessings. Impress your brain to remember what you do have and express deep gratitude for each.
When I sat in math class in high school I daydreamed a lot. I dreamed of a future filled with God’s riches. You and I are adults now. Stop the dreaming. Move forward with the riches God has already given us. Solomon tells us we never will catch the wind; stop chasing it. Now fulfill those desires from your past.
Today’s the day to replace your fantasies with the reality of what you already have. You can do this.
Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless — like chasing the wind. (Ecclesiastes 6:9, NLT).
Enjoy!
