If you are given a heart's desire, what would yours be ?
Solomon asked for WISDOM.
He accomplished so much, yet he found all of them worthless. It's equally provocative to realize that Solomon later seemed to wonder wheteher he had made the right choice. According to the book of Ecclesiastes, which shows us where he was in his thinking at the end of his life, Solomon eventually came to the place where he had serious questions about whether he had really been wise in asking for wisdom. Until he remembered his God (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14), he forgot that we live not merely for ourselves but for the honor of the One who made us to worship and enjoy Him forever.
He candidly stated that his wisdom had only increased his misery (Ecclesiastes 1:18)
Solomon acknowledges that wisdom encourages (1) thoughtfulness, (2) realism, (3) reverence, and (4) joyfulness.
Wisdom encourages thoughtfulness. It encourages a person to use his head.
Ecclesiastes 2:13-14 I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness. The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.
Wisdom encourages realism. We must come to grips with the real nature of life and death, and God and enduring values.
Ecclesiastes 9:3 This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead.
Wisdom encourages reverence for God. We have lost a sense of the fear of God, of the wisdom of obedience, and of the expectation of accountability.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Wisdom encourages joyfulness in the life that God gave us.
Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.
[Extract from 'Ecclesiastes' written by M.R.De Haan II]
Solomon asked for WISDOM.
He accomplished so much, yet he found all of them worthless. It's equally provocative to realize that Solomon later seemed to wonder wheteher he had made the right choice. According to the book of Ecclesiastes, which shows us where he was in his thinking at the end of his life, Solomon eventually came to the place where he had serious questions about whether he had really been wise in asking for wisdom. Until he remembered his God (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14), he forgot that we live not merely for ourselves but for the honor of the One who made us to worship and enjoy Him forever.
He candidly stated that his wisdom had only increased his misery (Ecclesiastes 1:18)
Solomon acknowledges that wisdom encourages (1) thoughtfulness, (2) realism, (3) reverence, and (4) joyfulness.
Wisdom encourages thoughtfulness. It encourages a person to use his head.
Ecclesiastes 2:13-14 I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness. The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.
Wisdom encourages realism. We must come to grips with the real nature of life and death, and God and enduring values.
Ecclesiastes 9:3 This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead.
Wisdom encourages reverence for God. We have lost a sense of the fear of God, of the wisdom of obedience, and of the expectation of accountability.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Wisdom encourages joyfulness in the life that God gave us.
Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.
[Extract from 'Ecclesiastes' written by M.R.De Haan II]
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