10 All that my eyes desired, I did not refuse them. I did not restrain my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor; and this was my reward for all my labor.
11 So I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold, all was futility and striving after wind, and there was no benefit under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
The Bible answers every dilemma known to man. King Solomon in all of his glory was convinced he knew how to find happiness, and because he had vast resources at his command, he pursued happiness most of his life. Wealth, fame, pleasure, power, lavish houses, and a reputation for wisdom—King Solomon achieved it. And yet after gaining everything he had ever wanted, he reluctantly concluded that his life was still empty and without meaning. His search for lasting happiness had failed, and his soul was still empty.
Many people live the same pattern throughout life and are in danger of making the same mistake King Solomon made, convinced that the things of this world will bring happiness and peace. He wrote: “Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure … Then I looked … and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11).
We must not be deceived; these things will never bring contentment. And the reason is because we were made to know God. Later, King Solomon came to this realization. He should have known it sooner; after all, his father, David, was a man after God’s own heart, and Solomon himself had vowed to live according to God’s wisdom.
The world makes a lot of empty promises concerning happiness; what it looks like and how to attain it. But God is truth and He tells us in His Word that true joy comes to those who delight and meditate on the things of God.
