I Samuel 12:21
“You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which can not profit or deliver, because they are futile.”
When one comes to Christ, many things happen. Of those is a sense of purpose. The Lord uses the events of our lives to teach and to bring Him glory. We all have a craving for significance. There is none greater than to be used of the Lord. He created us and knows us best. He allows us to be a part of the process. These works could be done without us. However, He chooses to build us up through our involvement.
The message of Ecclesiastes is how much of life is vanity and futility. The Lord blessed Solomon with brilliance and prosperity. He tried it all: raising horses, growing gardens, making a fortune, using people and so on. He breathes a sigh of exasperation and cries our that it’s all vanity.
What Solomon learns that it’s best to happy with one work, to love God and one’s spouse. This book is strong message about how not having the correct view is exhausting and empty. That’s the point of today’s verse. Without the Lord, life is futile.
Futile things don’t profit or deliver. Solomon tried it all and concluded that without God, “All is vanity and striving after wind.” Very few have the resources to try it all. The wealthy and fortunate can. An interesting example are those who win the lottery. A high percentage of those end up worse than if they didn’t win.
It’s best if we can learn from the example of others. That’s the point of most of scripture. To some degree, we all learn from trial and error. But after a while, we get it. We begin to trust the bible.
When we trust the Lord, He gives us purpose and peace. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28,29, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.” The yoke implies work, which the bible strongly promotes, but it’s working according to His will. That and connecting with God brings rest. The futility and emptiness is gone.
Lord, help us to learn from You. Lead us into Your ways. Thank You for the rest and purpose You provide.