Ecclesiastes 2  The "Preacher", the son of David.. perhaps Solomon, although he talks about all those who came before him... decided to "test" himself.. " with pleasure".   Anything he wanted he got.  Wine and houses, gardens and parks, ponds and forests, slaves and treasures.. "Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem." (v9)  Yet, in the end he found that this was "vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun." ( v11)

He then "turned to consider wisdom, madness and folly.. "  His conclusion... it makes no difference if you are wise or foolish.. because either way you die. ".. there is no lasting remembrance of the wise man as with the fool.." (v16)

All this brought about some depressing thoughts for the Preacher.. everything that he worked for would be left behind.. to someone who may not be wise.. someone who waste the legacy left behind and do evil.  All that work would be for nothing .. "Because all his days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity." (v23) 

But, then the Preacher remembers God!  "There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. this also I have seen, that it is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?" For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy..." (v24-26)

Jesus said, "For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?" (Luke 9:24)  He taught that to deny oneself instead of indulging oneself is necessary for true life.  We are called to lay down our lives for Him.. to take up our cross and follow Him.  That is what leads us out of "vanity and striving after wind"... out of foolish and fruitless living. 

In our world today, we witness the "pursuit of happiness" through the same vain efforts that the Preacher writes about.. people seek pleasure through houses and treasures and exciting experiences.  They indulge themselves in all kinds of things to try to find anything that is not "vanity and striving after the wind".  Yet, they cannot find satisfaction that is lasting and in the end.. we all face death.  

There is only one way to gain true life.. eternal life... and that is through Jesus Christ. 

Father in heaven, thank You for giving us life everlasting.. life that is not in vain.. life that is fruitful and profitable.. through Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Thank You for this reminder.. that life is more than work or pleasure or anything else.. that all things are for You and from You.. that Your purpose and plan is for our good and Your glory.. and in that is where we will find worth.  We give our all to You and for You, Lord Jesus. Lead us in Your paths this day. Restore our weary souls and bodies,  transform our thinking and conform our wills to Your perfect Will. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the True Wisdom of God and  the true source of lasting joy.  amen.