The source of our joy

As I noted yesterday, many times Solomon writes as someone who is living without God at the center of his life. Why?

Because for a long time he actually did so. He married foreign wives who led him into idolatry. And while he still worshiped God, his worship was diluted. And with that came a desire to seek joy in his life apart from God. 

That is the problem with many people today. They seek joy apart from God. 

They look for it in pleasure. (Ecclesiastes 2:1)

They look for it in work and in amassing wealth and possessions. (4-9)

They look for it in being smarter and wiser than everyone else. (12-14)

These things may bring joy for a time. But ultimately, without God in your life, they leave you empty and in despair. (1-2, 11, 14-23)

And Solomon realized, “God does want us to enjoy this world he has given us. But we cannot separate the gift from the Giver.” 

So Solomon concludes,

who can eat and who can enjoy life apart from him? For to the person who is pleasing in his sight, he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; (Ecclesiastes 2:25-26)

Let us not waste as much time as Solomon did figuring this out. 

God wants us to enjoy this life he has given us. But we will never find true joy without him.

So let us always place him in the center of our lives. If we do so, not only will we find true joy, but our joy will be complete. (John 15:9-11)