Why in The World Am I Here PDF

WHY IN
THE WORLD
CONTENTS AM I HERE?
The Search
W
For Meaning . . . . . . . . . 2 hy do some of us
feel so empty?
Grasping For What’s the point
The Wind . . . . . . . . . . 4 of going on day after day in
Learning . . . . . . . . . . 5 the same meaningless way?
Escaping . . . . . . . . . . 8
Working . . . . . . . . . 12 How can we find satisfaction
Loving . . . . . . . . . . . 16 and significance in the
repetitive routines and
Finding Life’s uncertainties of life?
Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . 20 In the following pages,
Know Who’s
In Charge . . . . . . . . 20 Our Daily Bread Managing
Follow His Editor Kurt De Haan explores
Directions . . . . . . . . 25 the ancient but timeless
writings of Ecclesiastes to
For The Glory look for answers to our
Of God . . . . . . . . . . . 29
deepest and most troubling
Helping You questions. We’ll see that we
Help Others. . . . . . . . 30 don’t need the wealth or
intelligence of Solomon to find
Your Reason the answers we are all here
For Living . . . . . . . . . . 32
to discover.
Martin R. De Haan II
Managing Editor: David Sper Cover Photo & Design: Terry Bidgood
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version, ©1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas
Nelson, Inc., Publishers
Copyright © 1987, 2001 RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, Michigan Printed in USA
© RBC Ministries. All rights reserved.

THE SEARCH corporate leader to live for
FOR MEANING your job.
You don’t have to live
Y
ou don’t have near a landfill to think
to be suicidal that life stinks.
to wonder if You don’t have to be
your life is worth driving a luxury car to
living. believe joy comes from
You don’t have to be possessions.
deep in debt to feel You don’t have to be
bankrupt. homeless to feel lost and
You don’t have to be out of place in the world.
locked behind bars to be
imprisoned by your own
desires.
“Most men
You don’t have to be lead lives
walking the street to sell of quiet
your life to others.
You don’t have to be
desperation.”
promiscuous to be —Henry David Thoreau
preoccupied with sex.
You don’t have to be You don’t have to be
addicted to drugs to exist ignorant to misunderstand
on an artificial “high.” what life is all about.
You don’t have to be a And you don’t have to
millionaire to be bought be a genius to discover the
by the love of money. real meaning of life.
You don’t have to be So what’s the secret? If
paranoid to run from the the meaning of life is not
deeper issues of life. the private possession of
You don’t have to be a the brilliant scientist or
2
the devoted theologian, they can be found? This
who can know and how booklet will review the
can the rest of us find out? search of a man who lived
Why are so many people almost 3,000 years ago. It
living with frustration, may be hard to believe,
emptiness, despair, but the issues that he
hopelessness, disgust,
apathy, or anger? If the meaning
When they think about of life is not the
the issues, some searchers
find that the answers that
private possession
seem to satisfy others of the brilliant
are not adequate for scientist or
them. Another group of
seekers isn’t really all
the devoted
that interested in finding theologian, who
answers—at least as long can know and
as they are finding some
pleasure in life. Still
how can the
others have given up rest of us
hope of finding relief for find out?
their inner ache. They’ve
escaped into an unreal wrote about are the same
world of drug- or alcohol- basic issues that are
induced numbness to bothering people today.
the harsh realities of life. His observations sound
Some, tragically, have like someone living in the
even taken their own lives. early 21st century. The
Who has the answers search has not changed,
and why are so many nor have man’s desperate
people still searching if attempts to find answers.
3
GRASPING FOR and grasping for the
THE WIND wind (Eccl. 1:12-14).
To this author, life
I
t’s an exercise in “under the sun” appeared
futility—reaching out to be nothing but vanity,
and trying to catch a futility, meaninglessness.
piece of a breeze. You He struggled to find
may as well be attempting significance in the
to tame a tornado or pleasures and pains of
harness a hurricane. everyday existence.
Chasing fulfillment in
life can seem just as
impossible, especially if Chasing fulfillment
you’re looking in all the in life can seem
wrong places. Listen to
someone who learned the just as impossible
hard way. as taming a
I . . . was king over tornado.
Israel in Jerusalem. And
I set my heart to seek
and search out by In trying to understand
wisdom concerning the book of Ecclesiastes,
all that is done it helps to know who the
under heaven; this author is and why he
burdensome task God wrote his journal. He
has given to the sons of never identified himself
man, by which they may by name. But his self-
be exercised. I have seen description as “the son of
all the works that are David, king in Jerusalem,”
done under the sun; as well as his comments
and indeed, all is vanity about wealth, power,
4
wisdom, great
achievements, and
many wives, point to
King Solomon (see
1:1,12,16; 2:4-9; 7:26-29;
12:9). If we accept
Solomon as the author, LEARNING
then we see in
Ecclesiastes glimpses of
the dramatic story of a
king who began his reign
well but then lost sight of DESPAIR
what’s most important in
life (1 Ki. 11:1-13). In his LEARNING
latter years he reviewed I communed with my
how he had spent his heart, saying, “Look, I
days. The conclusions he have attained greatness,
came to are both troubling and have gained more
and hopeful. wisdom than all who
Our study in this were before me in
booklet will follow Jerusalem. My heart
Solomon’s pattern of has understood
discussing the dead-end great wisdom and
answers before revealing knowledge.” And I set
the route to true my heart to know
fulfillment. The futile and wisdom and to know
unsatisfying reasons for madness and folly. I
living that Solomon talked perceived that this
about include learning, also is grasping for the
escaping, working, and wind (Eccl. 1:16-17).
loving.
5
What did Solomon How did Solomon
learn about learning? “wise up”?
In his day, the name Solomon found out that
Solomon was synonymous even though he was able
with wisdom. In 1 Kings to accumulate vast
we read that no one amounts of knowledge,
before him or after him he still had a huge void in
possessed such wisdom his life. As he grew older,
(3:7-12; 10:1-8). He was he tried to fill that ache
wiser than all the men of for something more by
the East and Egypt (4:30). seeking answers from
He spoke 3,000 proverbs the gods of the nations
and wrote 1,005 songs around him (1 Ki. 11:1-
(4:32). He knew enough 13). All his knowledge,
to lecture about trees, though, could not fill
animals, birds, creeping the emptiness he felt.
things, and fish (4:33). Solomon eventually
People came from all recognized that he had
gotten off track.
So I said in my heart,
All Solomon’s “As it happens to the
knowledge fool, it also happens to
me, and why was I then
could not fill more wise?” Then I said
the emptiness in my heart, “This also
he felt. is vanity.” For there is
no more remembrance of
the wise than of the fool
over the world to listen forever, since all that
to “Professor” Solomon now is will be forgotten
(10:24). in the days to come.
6
And how does a wise the world the better. But
man die? As the fool! Solomon realized that the
(Eccl. 2:15-16). pursuit of knowledge just
Why bother for the sake of knowledge
with an education? will leave us empty. The
Solomon also knew the more we learn, the more
emptiness of an empty we will realize how little
head. Ignorance is not a we actually know. You will
virtue. Solomon never end up in despair if your
hope of fulfillment is to
The more learn enough facts (1:18).
What is the
we learn, proper place of
the more we knowledge?
will realize how A billboard advertisement
for a large research
little we hospital proclaimed,
actually know. “Knowledge Heals.”
There’s some truth to that.
promoted foolishness or It’s true when research
stupidity. In fact, he said: results in a cure or the
I saw that wisdom prevention of a disease.
excels folly as light But knowledge about
excels darkness. The genetics, germs, or gastric
wise man’s eyes are in juices cannot heal a
his head, but the fool broken heart. Knowledge
walks in darkness about thermodynamics,
(2:13-14). astronomy, geology,
It is good to gain neurology, or meteorology
knowledge. The more cannot provide a purpose
“Solomons” we have in for life. Knowledge about
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our world can describe life—the physical here-
life, but it cannot explain and-now world that we
the why of life. It cannot walk and talk in—doesn’t
provide values or morality. give us all the knowledge
This has become very we need. We can’t afford
apparent in our present- to neglect knowledge of
day attempts to alleviate the crucially important
teenage pregnancy and spiritual dimension of our
the spread of sexually lives.
transmitted diseases.
Knowledge alone is not
the answer. What we need
are values! Knowledge
without values is like a
ship without a rudder.
LEARNING
ESCAPING
Knowledge
without values
is like a ship DESPAIR
without a rudder.
ESCAPING
I said in my heart,
Solomon advocated “Come now, I will
balance. It’s good to try to test you with mirth;
be smart, but we need to therefore enjoy
remember that filling our pleasure”; but surely,
heads with facts won’t this also was vanity.
satisfy our heart’s deepest I said of laughter—
desires. Knowledge of “Madness!”; and of
8
mirth, “What does it How can you
accomplish?” I searched feel empty with a
in my heart how to full stomach?
gratify my flesh with Solomon was a
wine, while guiding my connoisseur of fine wines
heart with wisdom, and (2:3), and the best foods
how to lay hold on folly, were available to him
till I might see what was (1 Ki. 4:22-23; 10:4-5).
good for the sons of men But even though he sat
to do under heaven all at tables loaded with
the days of their lives culinary delights,
(Eccl. 2:1-3). his soul was starving.
Solomon had the means He said:
to pursue just about any All the labor of man is
pleasure imaginable. He for his mouth, and yet
followed the philosophy the soul is not satisfied
of the advertising slogan, (Eccl. 6:7).
“You only go around once Why did sex lose
in life, so grab all the gusto its appeal?
you can get.” Solomon Solomon’s quest for
tried it. He grabbed for all pleasure surely wasn’t
the pleasures of life. But hindered by a lack of
he never was able to grasp sexual partners. He
what he wanted most. He had 700 wives and 300
said in 2:1-11 that his concubines (1 Ki. 11:3).
efforts to find purpose Linguistic studies have
through the enjoyment suggested that the phrase
of food, sex, music, and “musical instruments of
beautiful surroundings all kinds” in Ecclesiastes
were like grasping for 2:8 would be better
the wind. understood as referring
9
to a harem, a group of have a traveling band to
concubines. Such a follow him all over the
translation would certainly palace and all over the
fit Solomon’s situation. countryside. But beautiful
Things haven’t changed music didn’t solve the
much since Solomon’s ugly issues of injustice,
day. We are living in a suffering, or cruelty. Music
sex-obsessed society. But didn’t offer answers of
Solomon learned that purpose; it only offered a
sexual relationships diversion, a tranquilizer to
promise much more than get through another day.
they can fulfill. Why did the
beauty of the
gardens begin
Solomon learned to wilt?
that sexual The king surrounded
himself with beautiful
relationships sights. He tried to please
promise much his eyes with rows upon
more than they rows of flowers, trees, and
shrubs.
can fulfill. I made myself gardens
and orchards, and I
Why did music planted all kinds of fruit
sound flat? trees in them. I made
Solomon enjoyed the myself water pools from
melodies of great singers which to water the
(2:8). He didn’t need a CD growing trees of the
player with earphones to grove (2:5-6).
have music wherever he But while the gardeners
went. He could afford to were tending the plants,
10
Solomon realized that his pleasure through drugs,
inner being was overrun which blind them from
with the weeds of seeing how their lives are
confusion and self-serving being destroyed.
pleasures. Something was
wrong (2:11). Just as
short-sighted self-interests We’re still
led to ruin in the first grasping for
garden (Gen. 1–3),
Solomon learned that a
good times
rejection of spiritual and ending up
wisdom could destroy with a fistful of
the beauty of life.
How do people
emptiness.
today try to find
pleasure? Whatever the
We haven’t changed very pleasurable pursuit, the
much since Solomon’s end result is the same—
time. We’re still grasping it doesn’t give lasting
for good times and ending fulfillment. The thrill, the
up with a fistful of high, the excitement, and
emptiness. Our society is the laughter lack staying
obsessed with sexual power.
gratification. Some of us
are preoccupied with
music. Many seek
fulfillment through food
and drink. Others put all
their energies into making
their home a beautiful
place. Still others pursue
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small children may spend
half her day washing
clothes, only to see the
children spill and smear
food on themselves or
“accidentally” fall into the
LEARNING only mudhole within 300
ESCAPING miles. A businessman may
WORKING work all day or all week
on a new proposal, only to
have it “shot down” by his
DESPAIR superiors. Or a man may
spend all day washing and
WORKING waxing his car, only to
I hated life because have a “fender bender”
the work that was done later that same day.
under the sun was What if you went
distressing to me, for all through your entire life
is vanity and grasping with the attitude that all
for the wind. Then I you ever accomplished
hated all my labor in was worthless,
which I had toiled under meaningless, empty,
the sun, because I must and futile? That’s how it
leave it to the man who can seem if you’re trying
will come after me to make something of
(Eccl. 2:17-18). your life “under the sun”
Solomon’s feeling of without God. As Solomon
exasperation with the looked back on his life, he
endless cycle of work is realized that he had
something we all can emphasized his own
identify with. A mother of achievements too much.
12
What had night his heart takes no
Solomon achieved? rest. This also is vanity
First Kings 1 through 11 (Eccl. 2:22-23).
reveals Solomon’s many When do our
accomplishments. He was possessions own us?
incredibly rich (4:22-28; Many people today
10:14-29). The borders of would love to have just a
his kingdom extended fraction of the wealth that
from the Euphrates River Solomon had. Lotteries
to the edge of Egypt and sweepstakes attract
(4:21). He had gained an
international reputation as
an author and a scholar
“He who loves
(4:32-33). He built a silver will not
magnificent temple for the be satisfied
Lord (6:1-38), and his own
palace was a masterpiece
with silver.”
of beauty (7:1-12). Even —Solomon
foreign kings paid taxes to
him (4:21; 10:14-15). Yet people who are hoping
when he reflected on his for the one-in-a-million
own work and the work of chance at the big money.
others, he said: Men and women on
What has man for all television game shows will
his labor, and for the do almost anything to win
striving of his heart with money or big prizes. But
which he has toiled as Solomon reminded us:
under the sun? He who loves silver
For all his days are will not be satisfied with
sorrowful, and his work silver; nor he who loves
burdensome; even in the abundance, with increase.
13
This also is vanity at what he has in
(5:10; see also vv.15-16). his hands if his heart
What is the is empty.
right attitude The key to
toward possessions? contentment is an
Solomon said: underlying recognition of
As for every man to whom the true source of all that
God has given riches and we possess, as well as a
wealth, and given him sense of gratitude to the
power to eat of it, to One who gives us strength
receive his heritage and to work and the skills to
rejoice in his labor—this succeed.
is the gift of God (5:19). Why is it futile
Contentment will to work your way
escape the person who is to the top?
always desiring more than Many individuals spend
what he has in his hands. all their energies climbing
the ladder of success. But
Solomon pointed out that
Contentment will the man who rises to the
escape the person top doesn’t stay there
forever; he is forgotten
who is always when someone else takes
desiring more his place (Eccl. 4:13-16).
than what he has Fame, prestige and power
are short-lived and fail to
in his hands. fulfill the heart’s desires.
Besides, Solomon knew
Solomon also knew that something that we should
contentment would escape realize too: Power and
the person who looks only fame don’t necessarily
14
come to the most “out of whack,” then we
deserving (10:5-7). are working against
What, then, is ourselves. To try to find
the worth of work?
Solomon let us know
that work can be a good To try to find
thing—if you don’t give it fulfillment
too much importance. without the Lord
Solomon reminded us of
God’s view of work and is like trying
the true purpose of life in to play tennis
2:24-25. Verse 24 states: without a racket,
Nothing is better for
a man than that he or like trying
should eat and drink, to play golf
and that his soul should without any
enjoy good in his labor.
This also, I saw, was clubs.
from the hand of God.
Then, there is fulfillment without the
substantial evidence to Lord is like trying to play
suggest that verse 25 tennis without a racket, or
should read, “For who can like trying to play golf
eat, or who can have without any clubs.
enjoyment without Him?”
As such, it is a clear
reference early in the book
of Ecclesiastes to our need
of God if we are to find
fulfillment in life.
If we get our priorities
15
words vain and vanity in
9:9 to emphasize that his
advice to find joy with
one’s spouse is advice that
may make life more
endurable even though
LEARNING it doesn’t explain life’s
ESCAPING meaning. He knew from
WORKING his own experience that
LOVING the companionship of
marriage wasn’t the
DESPAIR answer to his heart’s
greatest need. Solomon
LOVING tried marriage—700 times!
Live joyfully with the
wife whom you love all Solomon knew
the days of your vain
life which He has given from his own
you under the sun, all experience
your days of vanity; that the
for that is your portion
in life, and in the companionship
labor which you of marriage
perform under the wasn’t the answer
sun (Eccl. 9:9).
Although Solomon to his heart’s
promoted marriage, he greatest need.
knew that life’s meaning
and purpose were not And he even had an
wrapped up in a human additional 300 unofficial
relationship. He used the wives (1 Ki. 11:3). But
16
Solomon knew that he Even though Solomon
could never fill his palace extolled the virtues of
with enough wives to loving and helping others
replace his need of God. (see also 11:2), he did so
Solomon also saw the with the realization that
value of companionship in simply showing love for
general. He noted in 4:8- others does not give
12 that the person who purpose to an otherwise
has a friend to go through purposeless life. That is
life with is better off than why throughout his
the loner who lives only discourse he pointed to the
for himself. The person need for a recognition of
who has a friend has God’s part in this life and
someone who enables the life to come (2:24-25;
him to be more productive 3:13-14,17; 5:1-7; 7:13-18;
(v.9), helps in troubled 8:12-17; 11:7-10; 12:1-14).
times (v.10), makes the Many people, though,
harsh times more bearable don’t recognize God’s
(v.11), and adds strength role in life. They talk as
against enemy attack if they have no worry of a
(v.12). coming judgment. They’re
Is companionship not concerned about
enough to live for? showing love to God.
Being shipwrecked on a They believe that their
desert island may be more purpose for living is to
bearable if another person love people and make
is stuck there with you. this world a better place
But the friendship won’t to live. They reason that if
get you off the island or all of us are stuck on this
answer your questions planet together, we may
about life back home. as well try to get along
17
and help each other. yourself.” He emphasized
For example, one student the need to love others
described his reason for when he told the
living by saying, “I try to great story about the
live for a general positive humanitarian Samaritan
influence. I try to be a (Lk. 10:25-37).
good person. I’m not But we have to
living for God; I’m trying remember that Jesus
to live for others.” encouraged love for one’s
neighbor as an evidence
of one’s love for and
Jesus encouraged devotion to God (Jn.
love for one’s 13:34; 15:9-12). Prior to
neighbor as the story about the Good
Samaritan, He said:
an evidence of You shall love the Lord
one’s love for your God with all your
and devotion to heart, with all your soul,
with all your strength,
God. and with all your mind
(Lk. 10:27).
What is more In another situation,
important than Jesus said that love for
loving people? God was the first and
Humanitarian efforts are greatest commandment
noble and commendable. (Mt. 22:37). Love for our
In fact, you can find many neighbor is noble, but
Scripture verses that may amount to “grasping
encourage loving human after the wind” unless
relationships. Jesus said, we first love the one
“Love your neighbor as true God.
18
When can our The great love chapter
love have lasting of the Bible, 1 Corinthians
significance? 13, proclaims the
In the book of greatness of love. But
Ecclesiastes, Solomon
spoke of the folly and
destructiveness of not Without a
loving others (4:8; 7:9; knowledge
9:18). Even though he of God, we would
encouraged his readers to
find enjoyment in human have to conclude
relationships, he pointed that human life
to the need to give our is no better than
primary attention to our
relationship with God animal life.
(12:13). And in order to
strike home his point, this love is possible only
Solomon spoke of the among those who know
despair of living only for what it means to be loved
this life on a human level. by God and to love Him.
Without a knowledge of Loving others, as good
God, we would have to as it is, falls short of giving
conclude that human life the foundation on which
is no better than animal to build our lives. We
life (3:18-21; 9:2-4). We need a reason to love that
wouldn’t know that the goes beyond this life, a
human soul lives on and love that is rooted in the
faces God in a life to love of God (1 Jn. 4:7-5:3).
come. Humanitarian
efforts would have no
eternal value.
19
FINDING LIFE’S our relationship to the
PURPOSE God who made us. If
we have thoughts about
S
olomon learned the trying to get away with
hard way that he being self-serving,
could not live as if Solomon’s words remind
there were no God. us that each of us is
Although he hints at the headed for a day of
final answer at earlier accountability before
points in Ecclesiastes God.
(2:24-25; 3:11-14,17; 5:1- What does it mean
7,18-20; 7:16-18; 8:12; to “fear God,” and what
11:8-9; 12:1), his strongest does it mean to “keep
statement of the purpose His commandments”?
of life comes in the
concluding two verses KNOW WHO’S
of the very last chapter. IN CHARGE
Let us hear the Many people react
conclusion of the negatively to the idea that
whole matter: they should fear God.
Fear God and keep They believe that God is
His commandments, loving, kind, and gentle
for this is man’s all. (which He is). They
For God will bring emphasize that for the
every work into person who has accepted
judgment, including Jesus’ gracious offer of
every secret thing, forgiveness, God’s wrath
whether good against his sin has already
or evil (12:13-14). been taken by Christ on
That’s it. Our ultimate his behalf. So is Solomon’s
purpose is wrapped up in advice good only for the
20
PURPOSE telephones, water,
darkness, or bugs) often
seek out psychological
KNOW GOD help to overcome their
unnatural and debilitating
fears. The fear of God,
though, is not an irrational
emotion. It makes logical
sense when you
understand the facts
LEARNING about who God is and
ESCAPING what He is like.
WORKING The biblical concept
LOVING of the fear of the Lord
involves a recognition of
DESPAIR the power, greatness,
unbeliever or for people

in Old Testament times? The right kind
No, because Solomon is
speaking of the need for of fear of the
all men to fear God, and Lord will drive
because the call to fear us to Him—
God is emphasized in the
New Testament as well. not away from
What does it Him!
mean to fear God?
People who have
irrational phobias (fear authority, and holiness of
of heights, small places, God. It is a healthy fear.
crowds, elevators, It means we respect Him,
21
shudder at the thought of all believers to fear the
His judgment against our Lord and enjoy His
sin, hold Him in awe, favor (Ps. 34:7,9-10).
reverence Him, recognize • The virtuous wife of
Him as absolute Lord, Proverbs 31 was
and honor Him. The right praised as a woman
kind of fear of the Lord, who feared the Lord
will drive us to Him—not (v.30).
away from Him! • Some people
What are some listening to Jesus
biblical examples? were challenged
Many men and women in to fear God’s ability
Scripture are described as to cast them into hell
those who feared the Lord. (Lk. 12:5).
Others were specifically • Cornelius was a man
challenged to fear Him. who feared God and
For example: received the gospel
• Abraham demonstrated gladly (Acts 10:22-48).
his fear of the Lord • Paul told the
when he offered Isaac Philippians to
to Him (Gen. 22:12). “work out your own
• The Egyptian midwives salvation with fear and
who refused to kill the trembling” (Phil. 2:12).
male Hebrew babies • Peter encouraged
feared God (Ex. 1:21). believers to live in
• Job was recognized the fear of the Lord
as an outstanding (1 Pet. 1:17) .
example of a person • Those who will inhabit
who feared God heaven will be those
(Job 1–2). who fear the Lord
• King David encouraged (Rev. 19:5).
22
Why does God to Him for how we use
want us to fear Him? every minute of every day.
As Solomon said, fearing A fear of God will
and obeying God is the cause nonbelievers to seek
whole purpose of life. forgiveness of sin through
When we fear, reverence, Christ. And fear of the
and honor the Lord, we Lord will cause believers
show that we recognize to produce the fruits
Him for all that He is. We of faith and to be
therefore stand in the commended on the day
proper relationship to Him they stand before Christ
as a creature before the (2 Cor. 5:9-10; 7:1,11).
Creator. To fear the Lord How is fear
related to worship?
Fear of the Lord and
To fear the Lord worship are closely
means that we related. In Ecclesiastes
take Him seriously 5:1-7, Solomon discussed
going to the house of God.
and we desire to Verse 2 states:
please Him with Do not be rash with your
all that we do mouth, and let not your
heart utter anything
and say. hastily before God.
For God is in heaven,
means that we take Him and you on earth;
seriously and we desire therefore let your words
to please Him with all be few.
that we do and say. It Then in verse 7
demonstrates that we Solomon added:
realize we are accountable For in the multitude of
23
dreams and many words at least they go to church
there is also vanity. But every week. A vast
fear God. number of men and
A proper attitude women profess to
toward the Lord, therefore, believe in God but
is essential to meaningful give Him little if any
worship of Him. recognition throughout
Does anyone the day. Though claiming
fear God today? to believe, they live as
In a letter we received at unbelievers. That is one
RBC Ministries, one reason the Bible is full of
woman wrote, “What do reminders to fear the Lord.
people do who do not It is easy to forget our
trust in God? I have never need of God. It is easy to
understood that. I need get wrapped up in our
Him every hour of every own ideas of the purpose
day. They do too, but why for living and forget the
can’t they know?” She real reason God has given
understands what it us breath. He wants our
means to stand in awe loyalty, our affection, our
and humility before the companionship, our
Lord. She recognizes her worship. He wants us to
dependence on Him. She make the most of our lives
is concerned about living so that when we stand
for Him. before Him He will be
Many of us today, able to say, “Well done,
however, don’t have the good and faithful servant”
same attitude. Some (Mt. 25:21).
people are outright Thinking It Over.
atheists. Others are What are you afraid of? If
outwardly religious— you have the proper fear
24
of God, what will you not PURPOSE
have to fear? (1 Jn. 4:17-
21). Why is the fear of the OBEY GOD
Lord the foundation of all KNOW GOD
wisdom? (Job 28:28; Prov.
1:7; 9:10; 15:3).
FOLLOW HIS
DIRECTIONS
Whether you’re going to
bake a cake or build a LEARNING
skyscraper, your success ESCAPING
will depend on your WORKING
ability to follow LOVING
instructions. You
wouldn’t expect a cake DESPAIR
to be delicious if you used
the wrong ingredients. own importance and the
And you should not greatness of his own
attempt to construct a wisdom. He forgot that
tall building without an God was far smarter than
adequate foundation and he was or ever could be.
sturdy materials. So why He deluded himself into
do we think we can throw thinking that the pleasures
away God’s directions for of earthly life were much
life and still find better than the joys of
fulfillment? Too often we living for God. He fell into
think we know better than the trap of making short-
God what we should do. term investments and
Solomon got carried ignoring the eternal.
away with feelings of his But Solomon learned
25
from his mistakes. He (Jn. 14:15). Also, in
said at the conclusion of 1 John we are told, “This
Ecclesiastes that the key is the love of God, that we
to finding meaning in life keep His commandments.
is to “fear God and keep And His commandments
His commandments” are not burdensome”
(12:13). (5:3). In John 15:9-11,
What does it Jesus said that those
mean to keep His believers who obey His
commandments? commands will experience
This means that we obey great joy.
whatever God asks us to What are the
do. For Old Testament most important
believers like Solomon, commands?
that included the Ten Every word of instruction
Commandments as well from God is something we
as the hundreds of other should do, but some
laws concerning private, commands are more basic
social, and religious life. and all-encompassing
For us today, to keep than others. For example,
God’s commandments to begin to please God, a
means that we obey the person must become one
timeless principles of the of His children. All who
Old Testament as well as turn to God, acknowledge
the New Testament their own disobedience
principles for life under before Him (Rom. 3:23),
the new covenant of recognize that Christ died
grace (Heb. 8). for them (Jn. 3:16), and
Jesus told His disciples, personally accept God’s
“If you love Me, keep My free gift (Rom. 6:23) will
commandments” be taking the first essential
26
step of obedience to God. Ecclesiastes, Solomon
When some people asked pointed out our
Jesus what they should do accountability to the
to please God, Christ said, Lord. He said, “God will
“This is the work of God, bring every work into
that you believe in Him judgment, including every
whom He sent” (Jn. 6:29). secret thing, whether good
Two other commands or evil” (12:14). No one
are cited by Jesus as being will ever get away with
the most important. Jesus any disobedience (3:17;
summed up the Law and 8:12-13; 11:9).
the Prophets by saying
that we are to love God To try to find
and we are to love people
(Mt. 22:36-40).
fulfillment while
What happens if disobeying God
we don’t obey? is like trying to
To try to find fulfillment
while disobeying God is
start a fire
like trying to start a fire with water. It
with water. It just won’t just won’t work.
work. You can’t swallow a
deadly dose of cyanide The person who never
and expect to survive. takes the initial step of
You can’t plunge your obedience and puts his
bare hand into boiling trust in Christ will face
water without getting God unforgiven and
scalded. And you can’t condemned (Rev. 20:7-
disobey God without 15). The believer in Christ
serious consequences. will stand before God
In the last verse of and give account for his
27
life and be rewarded the middle of a dark world
accordingly (1 Cor. 3:10- (2:15). When we live for
15; 2 Cor. 5:10). heavenly purposes, we
How can our will contrast those who
obedience help a are controlled by their
searching world find fleshly desires (3:17-21).
purpose in life? When we are content
In the apostle Paul’s whether rich or poor
letter to the Philippians (4:11-13), we will show
are several clues as to that we are not looking for
how we can show the significance in material
world that true fulfillment possessions but in our
comes through knowing spiritual relationship with
and obeying God. When God.
we are able to say, “For to Thinking It Over.
me, to live is Christ, and Why do children disobey
to die is gain” (1:21), we their parents? Why do
will be showing the world adults break the law?
what is worth living and Why did the men and
dying for. When we women of faith mentioned
are united with other in Hebrews 11 choose to
believers, we will show obey God? When do you
God’s enemies that their struggle with obedience to
purposes will not prevail God? When does it seem
(1:28). When we look out irrational to obey Him?
for the interests of others Ask God to show you
(2:4), we will demonstrate areas in your life that
what it means to live a need to be placed under
selfless, Christlike life. His lordship.
When we live blamelessly,
we will shine like stars in
28
FOR THE GLORY much fruit; so you
OF GOD will be My disciples”
(Jn. 15:8).
T
he purpose of • “Now may the God
your life and mine, of patience and
according to the comfort grant you to be
Westminster Shorter like-minded toward one
Catechism of Faith, is to another, according to
“glorify God and enjoy Christ Jesus, that you
Him forever.” That may with one mind and
statement is founded on one mouth glorify the
many verses in the Bible God and Father of our
that encourage us to live Lord Jesus Christ”
so as to bring attention to (Rom. 15:5-6).
the greatness of our Lord. • “You were bought at
To glorify the Lord means a price; therefore
to honor Him, to worship glorify God in your
Him, to give Him the body and in your
praise He deserves. spirit, which are God’s”
Here are a few of the (1 Cor. 6:20).
many verses that speak of • “Whether you eat or
giving glory to the Lord. drink, or whatever you
• “Give to the Lord, O do, do all to the glory
families of the peoples, of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).
give to the Lord glory • “To Him be glory in the
and strength. Give church by Christ Jesus
to the Lord the glory to all generations,
due His name” forever and ever.
(1 Chr. 16:28-29). Amen” (Eph. 3:21).
• “By this My Father is
glorified, that you bear
29
HELPING YOU 4. What is the most
HELP OTHERS important knowledge?
(Jer. 9:23-24).
T
he following
questions are Escaping
listed here for you 1. What seven pleasures
to use in teaching or did Solomon explore?
discipling others. We (Eccl. 2:1-11)
suggest that these 2. What did Solomon
questions be discussed learn about each one of
prior to studying the these pleasures?
specific point—as preview 3. What was Moses’
questions. attitude toward such
pleasures?
(Heb. 11:24-26).
GRASPING FOR
THE WIND Working
1. What were Solomon’s
Learning accomplishments?
1. Why was Solomon in (1 Ki. 4:20-34;
a good position to talk 6:1–7:12).
about education? 2. What was Solomon’s
(1 Ki. 3:7-12; 10:1-13). conclusion about all
2. What did Solomon say that he had done?
about the limitations (Eccl. 2:17-18).
of knowledge? 3. What gives work
(Eccl. 1:16-17; 2:15-16). lasting significance?
3. What did Solomon say (Eccl. 5:19; 12:13-14;
about the advantages Phil. 4:11-13).
of knowledge?
(Eccl. 2:13-14).
30
Loving Follow His
1. What are the Directions
benefits of human 1. What did Solomon
companionship? find to be the key to
(Eccl. 4:9-12). a meaningful life?
2. Why can’t a loving (Eccl. 12:13-14).
spouse take the vanity 2. What does it mean
out of life? (Eccl. 9:9). today to keep God’s
3. What is more important commandments?
than showing love to (Jn. 14:15).
people? (Lk. 10:27). 3. What commands are
the most important?
FINDING LIFE’S (Mt. 22:36-40).
PURPOSE 4. How can your
obedience to
Know Who’s In God help others?
Charge (Phil. 1:10-11,21;
1. How should our 2:15).
accountability to
God affect our lives?
(Eccl. 11:9; 12:13-14).
2. What does it mean
to fear the Lord?
(12:13-14).
3. Does the fear of the
Lord drive us to Him
or away from Him?
(Prov. 8:13).
4. What wrong fears will
the right fear get rid of?
(1 Jn. 4:17-21).
31
YOUR REASON If not, why not?
FOR LIVING • Do you enjoy life?
• What are your greatest
E
xcuse me, but your frustrations in life?
purpose is showing. • To what are you looking
That’s right. The way for satisfaction?
you live reveals your real • What are you doing that
reason for living. Actions do has eternal benefits?
speak louder than words. If these questions
Test yourself. Look at the make you uncomfortable,
following list of goals for life maybe you need to see, as
that we have discussed in Solomon did, the waste of
this booklet. Take a look at living for anything less than
your life and evaluate where God’s intended purpose.
your energies are being If you’ve never taken the
spent. Are you trying to: first crucial step of trusting
❏ Get smart? Christ to rescue you from
❏ Have fun? God’s judgment against
❏ Work hard? disobedience, accept His
❏ Love people? offer of forgiveness right
❏ Please God? now. He will forgive, and He
Do your responses to the will give you new purpose
following questions support and power for living (Jn.
your answer above? 3:16; Rom. 5–8). Ask Him to
• How do you spend time? help you to make the most
• Do you know God’s Word of the new life He’s given to
so you know how to you. Jesus said, “I have
obey? come that they may have
• Can you honestly say life, and that they may
that you are living in full have it more abundantly”
obedience to the Lord? (Jn. 10:10).
32
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