Happy Campers

Happy Campers

1These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem. 2“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” 3What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? 4Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. 5The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again. 6The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles. 7Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea. 8Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content. 9History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-9

At one time or another, everyone thinks, If only. The thought usually ends with a dream of some fantastic ideal—a different job, a new house, a hot car, or more money. The fountain of happiness always lies just beyond our grasp. If only . . .

Solomon begins the book of Ecclesiastes by reflecting on his past and noting how he has changed. You can detect some “if only” thoughts in his observations. Like each of us, Solomon wanted to be happy—this is what he found.

Read Ecclesiastes 1:1–2:26

Would you be happier if you had more money, fame, or power? Solomon wasn’t (Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, 12-15; 2:1-11). The world tells us to demand happiness, to do all we can to attain it, and to make personal satisfaction our chief goal. The world holds out many promises, all of which require dependence on some thing or experience that won’t last. Solomon had attained everything the world thought he needed to guarantee happiness and fulfillment, but reflecting back on his life, he discovered that his wealth, power, position, wives, and accomplishments had not made him happy or brought meaning to his life.

In contrast to the world’s view, the Bible says that true and lasting happiness comes from pleasing God. (Eventually Solomon found this to be true.) Real happiness can only be received through a right relationship with God.