Life is meaningful.
King Solomon had it all: fame, fortune, wisdom, and yet, it wasn’t enough…. (see Being Wise).
God only asked one thing of Solomon; and He warned him of the outcome if he did not obey:
“…if you follow me and obey my decrees and commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.” 1 Kin. 3:14 NLT
“But if you or your descendants abandon me and disobey the decrees and commands that I have given you, and if you serve and worship other gods, then I will uproot the people from this land that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honor my name. I will make it an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations.” 2 Chr. 7:19, 20. NLT
Everything worked out for a while:
During the lifetime of Solomon, all of Judah and Israel lived in peace and safety…each family had its own home and garden. 1 Kin. 4:25 NLT
However, the king filled his harem with many foreign women, who wooed him into worshiping their pagan gods. Obviously, this did not go well with Jehovah, who because He is just, He kept His word:
Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Since you have done this and did not keep my covenant and my statutes, which I commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. However, I will not do it during your lifetime for the sake of your father David; I will tear it out of your son’s hand. Yet I will not tear the entire kingdom away from him. I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem that I chose.” 1 Kin. 11:11 – 13. CSB
In His mercy, God delayed the punishment, to be meted out to Solomon – leaving him only one tribe to rule, that being of Judah, Solomon’s descendants, who would give rise to the Messiah.
Solomon sank into a depression and sought solace in gluttony, drunkenness, pride, fornication and greed. Eventually, after nothing brought him happiness, he repented, and his eyes were opened to the truth behind having a meaningful life:
There is nothing better for a person than to eat, drink, and enjoy his work. I have seen that even this is from God’s hand, because 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; but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and accumulating in order to give to the one who is pleasing in God’s sight. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. Eccl. 2:24 – 26. CSB
So, life is filled with meaning when we find our contentment in God and His provisions from walking in His ways, which includes serving others:
I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with…I have perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live… Eccl. 3:12 & 12. ESV
In this life, our Father in heaven helps us along the way by opening and shutting doors to bring us circumstances that propel us – some of these seem helpful, others don’t, but God has a purpose in all of them:
There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven: Eccl. 3:1 NLT
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider: God has made one as well as the other… Eccl. 7:14 CSB
Now, let us shift our vision to the bigger picture of how to live that meaningful life for our Creator:
1. There is a real urgency to grasp onto your salvation and help as many others as you can to do that same. You must be saved while you still draw breath. Once you die, there are no second chances. Given that you don’t know that date, you cannot afford to tarry.
2. God has a unique plan for you to carry out in your life. You must seek His will and be willing to do it.
3. We can count on the love of God, who redeemed us in Christ, made us the crown of His creation, and guides us on a path to the highest and best life.
4. Jehovah is always on call (via prayer) for any situation, so that we can live a life free of anxiety. He wants to keep a running conversation with you.
5. Everyone sins – even the saved children of God. Praise God that we do our best to keep from sinning, yet the blood of Christ kicks in when we confess and repent, for those times that we do. We are made holy anew.
6. We are related to the entire Godhead and surrounded by angels. No reason for fear.
7. You live life as a forgiver when wronged, just as Jesus forgave you.
8. We must practice our faith in the Godhead, that they exist, and that we are redeemed by their actions. We can ask Jesus for greater faith when needed. He will always comply.
9. A meaningful life demands sacrifices: tithing, placing others’ welfare first, denying worldly temptations, being grateful, and bringing God glory in all we do.
10. We must let our spirit rule: …the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. Gal. 5:22, 23. CSB
11. The devil is real. He came to steal (your salvation), to kill (your eternal opportunity), and to destroy (your life on earth). We keep him at bay, by clinging to Christ.
12. Christ is the centerpiece of the Bible and needs to be the nucleus of your life. He is the only way to God and eternity. The best news is that Jesus is coming back to gather all of God’s children.
13. Finally, Jesus wants you to help Him to save lives by spreading the gospel.
The words of the wise are like cattle prods – painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep…let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.
That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. Eccl. 12:11 – 13. NLT
That’s a meaningful life…
Goodnight and God bless.