Another day has dawned.

Recently, I’ve been reading Ecclesiastes. At first, it seems a bit depressing, and I began to wonder why God would see fit to have it become part of the Canon (the books or writings that made it into the Bible). Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon, King David’s son. Solomon was responsible for building the glorious temple in Jerusalem and was the wisest King of Israel.

Solomon thought that having wisdom was incredibly important, particularly when he became King. Solomon wanted to do a great job as King, so he asked God for wisdom. He could have asked God for anything, but he chose to ask for wisdom.

At Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (1 Kings 3:5-9 NLT)

God was so pleased with Solomon asking for wisdom to govern the people that He said He would not only give him wisdom but would also give him other riches and long life.

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” (1 Kings 3:10-14 NLT)

Solomon did apparently become very wise and made many wise decisions, but this whole book of Ecclesiastes still seems quite depressing. Solomon recounts that after considering life, and how it is to live in the world, everything is meaningless. He found that many good people remain poor while many wicked people become rich. Good things happen to good and bad people; bad things happen to good and bad people; all is meaningless and makes no sense.

Pursuing God Makes Life More Vibrant and Meaningful.

Still, through this book of Ecclesiastes, these writings of Solomon, what spoke to me is that life—our human, physical life—is so small compared to our spiritual life. While it’s true that the physical life sometimes appears meaningless, the spiritual life is not meaningless. Our relationship with God and our journey to know God is rich, full, and meaningful. I believe a life spent pursuing God and His plan is meaningful, giving life more colour and dimension. However, a life without a thought about God can become a menial, repetitive, and wasted existence. How sad it is if we only ever discover one dimension, the day-to-day activities, without allowing God to speak to us and without allowing the His Holy Spirit to influence us. We are so blessed to have been born on this side of Jesus’s arrival, death, and resurrection in the world. We have been given the gift that King Solomon, who lived in pre-Jesus days, could only dream of, guidance from the omniscient Holy Spirit.

When Jesus told the disciples that it was better that He should go so the Helper could come, this is what He was talking about. The Helper or Advocate Jesus was talking about was the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was here, on earth, He could only be in one place at a time. However, when He returned to Heaven, He could release the Holy Spirit to the earth. The Holy Spirit could then live in anyone and everyone who humbles themselves before God and accepts the Spirit’s Life in them.

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:15-17 NLT)

I am so thankful, Father, that I live in the world at this time when Your Holy Spirit is available to direct and guide my thinking and decisions. Thank you that You provide the wisdom I need for each day through the gift of Your Holy Spirit. I am so thankful, Jesus, that you opened the door for me to be able to see life not only in the black and white of day-to-day activities but in the wonderful dimensions of colour the Holy Spirit adds. I pray, Lord Jesus, that You continue to reveal Yourself to me, pulling me deeper and closer in the knowledge of You every day. Help me know You more intimately and see Your work in my life and in the lives of my children and all their generations to come. Help us, Holy Spirit, to bring Your light to those still in the darkness!!!!!! Amen.