The Story:Happiness apart from God is merely circumstantial.When things are going well, people are happy. But let their situation change – and it always will – and their lives can spin out of control. Besides, it’s not fair that the “beautiful people” under the sun have to put up with the same trials, disappointments, setbacks, and other unforeseen circumstances as hoi polloi. Neither wealth nor power nor celebrity can shelter or exempt anyone from whatever a day might bring. And who can know what that might be (v. 1)? When adversity comes, men “under the sun” simply lurch to what they hope will be better circumstances. But since their hearts are evil and their minds are filled with “madness”, what hope do they have of finding real happiness “under the sun”? Thus they lurch all their lives, seeking to optimize happiness by maximizing their surroundings. And then they die. Is Rehoboam listening?
The Structure:“Are we having fun yet?” There is real wisdom in that bumper sticker. Happiness – true and lasting joy and wellbeing – eludes just about everyone. Christians need to qualify what we mean by happiness, lest we mislead our unbelieving friends into thinking that Jesus is just one more “circumstance” in life Who gives happiness to some. The believer does not seek happiness; rather, he rests in the joy of his salvation, even in the face of those same circumstances which perplex and distress those living “under the sun.” When unbelievers see that joy, that hope, lived out consistently amid the same kinds of circumstances that threaten to bury them, they will know what true happinessreally is, and where it can be found.
This might be a good time to spend some time in prayer for some of your unbelieving friends, neighbors, or colleagues. They don’t have the “fallback” that you have when trials befall them. Pray for them, then tell them that you do.
Each week’s studies in our Scriptorium column are available in a free PDF form, suitable for personal or group use. For this week’s study, “This Way to Happiness: Ecclesiastes 9,” simply click here.
T. M. Moore
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.