DEVOTION – DAY 104

Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 “True Happiness”

 

Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 “Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil – this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.”

 

The above verses are part of an overall theme of the book of Ecclesiastes. Only in God does life have meaning and true pleasure. Without God, nothing will satisfy us for long. We God, we find true satisfaction and enjoyment. True pleasure comes only when we acknowledge and worship God in our lives.

This certainly seem to be against what we are told in this world today. We are told that we will be happy if we have money and possessions like houses, cars, jewelry, position and so on. We will be happy because the money will enable us to travel and enjoy ourselves, and stay in nice hotels and even travel first class. Isn’t that so? But the holidays and staying in nice places only offer us temporary diversions and when we get back to our normal routines, we will want to make plans for another holiday. But the truth is that if we spend all our time travelling and living out of a suitcase, after a while, we become jaded and we long to stay in one place at a time and to put down our roots. Our holidays do not give us lasting satisfaction. In the same way, our money and possessions do not offer us lasting satisfaction.

One of the richest men in history was William Randolph Hearst who had a publishing empire. He built himself a huge mansion called Hearst castle in California. Despite his wealth, William Hearst spent his final years as a recluse watching old newsreels of his past, and old films of the stars he used to date. His wealth did not give him satisfaction. He preferred to live in the past.

But the above verses teach us that true satisfaction is found in living in the presence of God in our lives because it is God who satisfies the deepest longings of our human hearts. God is the only one who can give us lasting satisfaction and this is His gift to all who follows Him. Like many, I too like to travel but because of Covid-19 pandemic, the borders are closed across the world. It is no longer safe to travel. But I remain happy because the Lord keeps me occupied with matters that I know have eternal value. I remain happy because I have His presence in my life so I can face each day whether it is a good day or a bad day. Even when the day is one when things seem to go wrong, when I receive bad news, I know that I am able to face it with God by my side. This is true happiness. This is what the writer of Ecclesiastes call “gladness of the heart.”

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for providing what we need each day and the privilege to enjoy your presence in our lives. Help us to treasure this true satisfaction that only you can give. In the name of the Lord Jesus, we ask. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. What do you think gives you lasting happiness? Discuss.
  2. Do you think you can be happy if you have little money and few possessions? Discuss.
  3. Based on Ecclesiastes and this devotion, where is your source of true happiness and lasting satisfaction?
  4. How can you share this truth to others? Discuss.