10“Whatever exists has already been named, and what man is has been known; no man can contend with one who is stronger than he. 11 The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone? 12 For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone?”
is value in all pursuits when one seeks meaning and satisfaction in who he is and what he does. It allows life to be examined and as the philosopher Socrates said to Plato, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” The search for meaning, some will say, is more important than the conclusion. Just to discover more of truth and expose falsehoods is of value, the philosophers will argue.
I minored in Philosophy at the University with minimal value to life’s answers. As experienced Jesus Christ, I discovered truth didn't come from my conclusions but rather His revelation.
Solomon was wise. He brings people down the path of both experiencing life and thinking about it. As he presents the various answers to satisfaction, he reveals the inward emptiness when faced with death and no hope. If that is all there is, what is the meaning of all this endless search? Man left to himself is finite. He does not know the future. He cannot second guess God. He cannot make his life better doing things his own way.
We see a vast number of people running after meaning in man-made philosophies, spirituality, and political pursuits. The nation is at a deadlock when various political powers are at odds to solve the world problems and to find the financial principles that will bring us out of the economic crises.
Solomon argues that meaning for anything within ourselves is insufficient. We were made to have a relationship with God, not a religion. Going through man-made rituals to appease God don't work and even religion leaves us dissatisfied.
Verse. 10 “whatever exists has already been named”. This observation tells us God is sovereign. What is man? He is the clay. God is the potter. God is infinite; we are finite. God is all powerful; mankind is limited in strength and ability. God is faithful; we are unfaithful and inconsistent. Clay pots don’t argue with their maker. (See Isa 45:9-12)
What about the future? Are you fearful? Who knows what the future holds? The satisfied person is not the one who gets everything he or she wants. It is the person who has stopped wanting.
Only if you devote your life to doing God's will, will you find inner peace in the purpose for which He made you. Satisfaction is a gift that comes by faith in Him.
The apostle Paul wrote, “I have learned the secret of being content.”. It is a learned behavior, an acquired skill. Satisfaction comes not in religion or philosophies of man, but in the relationship, we can have with our creator through Christ.
Prayer: Lord, You are my Shepherd; I shall not be in want. Lord, guide me in paths of righteousness for Your Name’s sake.
