Solomon warns that satisfaction cannot be found in a future time such as retirement, for it may never come or may not be enjoyed. He then concludes that “satisfaction can and should be found in God right now.” There is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his labour and the simple gifts of life, knowing that this enjoyment is “from the hand of God.” True satisfaction, joy, and peace are possible only when God gives them.
Solomon observes that wisdom excels folly, yet the same event happens to both the wise and the fool. Death comes to all, and even the successful and pre-eminent are soon forgotten. He then turns to hard work and labour and concludes that all his toil must be left to another who did not labour for it. “For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief… This also is vanity.” Success, pre-eminence, and labour bring no lasting satisfaction.
As we begin the New Year of 2026, I’ll like us to consider a couple of lessons drawn from the first chapter of the book of Esther, a book that is unique because the word “God” or “Lord” does not appear even once throughout its ten chapters. Chapter one may be divided into three parts, […]
The apostle Peter reminds us that “ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house,” with Christ as the living and chief corner stone. As stones fitted together, each believer has a place in the church of Christ, shaped and joined in love, growing steadily into a dwelling place for God through the Spirit.
Solomon withheld not his heart from any joy and possessed everything that his eyes desired—houses, gardens, riches, pleasures, and delights of every kind. Yet even while guided by wisdom, he concluded, “behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” Wealth, riches, and pleasure brought no true or lasting satisfaction.
Solomon, the wisest king in Israel’s history, set his heart to seek and search out all that is done under heaven by wisdom and knowledge. Yet after surpassing all before him in understanding, he concluded that all was vanity and a grasping for the wind. Even great learning brought only vexation, frustration, and grief. Satisfaction cannot be found in wisdom and knowledge, for the more one increases knowledge, the more sorrow is multiplied.
Solomon observes that “there is no new thing under the sun,” for history repeats itself and “there is no remembrance of former things.” Life under the sun offers no lasting progress, no lasting satisfaction, and no lasting remembrance. But the Christian sees history moving toward God’s intended end, and knows that while men may forget, God never forgets the work done for Him. True meaning is found not under the sun, but under the Son, Jesus Christ.
Solomon observes that “labour is futile,” asking, “What profit hath a man of all his labours under the sun?” He shows that life is an endless cycle—the sun rising and setting, the wind returning to its circuits, the rivers running yet never filling the sea. All things are wearisome; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing. Under the sun, life becomes monotonous, tiring, and without lasting satisfaction.
“What is the meaning of life and is life worth living?” Ecclesiastes begins by asking what profit a man has from all his labour under the sun. Many measure life by its quality, possessions, work, pleasure, or relationships, but the preacher shows that apart from God such pursuits become labouring and gaining nothing.
Isaiah 40 is one of the most comforting chapters in the Bible. God’s people, weary and uncertain, are reminded that “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.” Even the young shall faint and fall, but “they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.” To wait upon the Lord is to trust, to hope, and to pray. In doing so, He strengthens us to walk and not faint, to soar above our weakness, and to magnify Christ in us.
