“History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. Sometimes people say, ‘Here is something new!’ But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9-11)
One thing I love about the Bible is that I can read the same versus over and over again and still be struck by the beauty of God’s Word. I am sure I have read Ecclesiastes before but this morning everything struck me very hard. The first three chapters, at least, are dedicated the futility of living a life for ourselves…although Solomon doesn’t come right out and say it. If you read this section you find that Solomon has tried to live for pleasure, wisdom, and work and all of them are like chasing the wind. Life repeats itself over and over again. Do you feel alone in what you have done in your life, or what direction our country is going in, read Ecclesiastes and find that this has all happened before and it may happen again.
Solomon said he tried to find satisfaction in everything: money, sex, drinking, knowledge, and possessions and came up with everything being futile and meaningless. If Solomon, in all his God given wisdom, found that life is empty when you live for these things 3,000 years ago what do you think has changed in God’s plan for our lives that we will find any lasting pleasure or satisfaction from them now? If Solomon is right, and everything simply repeats itself, than nothing has changed and that is why we are left searching and seeking when we are turning to worldly things to find our fill.
However, when we turn to God and His promises we can never run empty. If we go to God He will constantly fill us with however much we need. Our relationship with God is not a cycle to do over and over again throughout time. Our relationship with God is solid and eternal. As money, knowledge, carnal pleasures, and possessions come and go God is right there the same yesterday as today and the same today as tomorrow. Where are you finding your pleasure? Where are you finding your purpose? Look to your Lord and feel satisfied; open your heart to Him and feel the blessings flow and the joy fill you better than any thing this world could ever offer.
“Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures gives hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” (Romans 15:4)
