The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Ecclesiastes 10:19,
"A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything."
In the midst of a series of proverbs, Solomon makes this observation which seems to me to be thematic with the message of Ecclesiastes. He observes the diversions we engage in to bring us enjoyment in life. For laughter a feast is made, for merriment in life we look to wine. He concludes this proverb noting that while people look to one thing or another to bring about what they want, "money is the answer for everything."
It sure seems like nothing has changed in three thousand years. We pursue diversions for ourselves and we think we know what is needed to bring what our hearts desire. Often we look in all the wrong places and we settle for far less than what will satisfy the deepest yearnings of our hearts. While there is nothing wrong with laughter and merriment (I am in great support of them), the feast comes to an end and the bottle runs empty. These are only temporary diversions in life under the sun and often mask the genuine yearnings of our hearts. Additionally, "the answer for everything" turns out to be not the answer we thought it might be.
How many times have we heard stories of those who have encountered wealth report back to the rest of us that it really doesn't bring happiness? It is often thought that money will resolve whatever it is we look for in life, but this really isn't the case.
What is the case is that having an encounter with our Creator through his Son, Jesus Christ, is the answer to everything. Not only is laughter and merriment found here, more than just a shallow diversion, an encounter with God brings the deepest satisfaction and pleasure. Peter speaks of being filled with an "inexpressible and glorious joy". In speaking to the Lord, David says, "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Knowing God brings assurance of what lays beyond the grave. Knowing God brings us rescue from his coming wrath for sins we have committed. Knowing God eliminates the anxieties of life because we are assured of his great love for us and his wonderful intentions for us. Knowing God is the perfect satisfaction of the gaping hole left in our hearts since our estrangement from him in the garden of Eden.
Knowing God is the answer for everything.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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