“So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem; also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my portion of all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:9-11
Today’s Christian daily devotional
“I’d like to take the longer route. I don’t mind if we hit traffic. Take Broadway up to Seventh Avenue.” Lila called out from the back seat.
The cabbie nodded his head while continuing his cell phone conversation, not missing a beat.
She rolled down the window, not caring that the air was a little too brisk. Lila didn’t want to miss her big debut.
From the backseat of that tattered New York cab, her heart fluttered nervously. Glittering and flashing in all her glory, Lila’s image was plastered on an electronic billboard right in the middle of Times Square. It felt surreal that her modeling fantasies were finally coming to fruition. That moment of glory passed quickly as the car sailed bumpily through the green stoplights.
He drove a few blocks further to her final destination. She paid, and the cabbie spun away without a second look, puffs of exhaust trailing behind the sagging trunk.Lila tried brushing off the sad reality of her lonely celebration.
She quickened her steps while heading towards her favorite destination: Her favorite shoe boutique. Who needs friends when you have fabulous shoes?
The brightly lit showroom and upbeat music helped to lull Lila into that false sense of happiness she had become addicted to medicating herself with. While sipping on the complimentary glass of champagne, she watched the eager sales clerk scurry to the back retrieving her selections.
Every pair Lila tried on seemed to look more fabulous than the last. But that was no surprise, Lila was as leggy as a girl could get.
After two glasses of bubbly, she found it hard to decide which pair to treat herself with. So, in typical Lila fashion, she bought all three of her favorites.
Quickly, she scribbled her name on her bill that totaled more than five thousand. It would be about three weeks before Lila actually had to deal with that reality. The last thing she wanted was to kill her buzz by thinking about credit card statements.
After air-kissing the salesclerk, she teetered back onto the busy city streets in her fresh pair of Jimmy Choo’s. As heads turned, the cost of her splurge was quickly forgotten.
Nothing lifts a girl’s spirits like a great pair of heels! The jovial thought bounced around her head like the bubbles from her champagne.
Just up the street she spotted her favorite sushi restaurant. Lila peered in the window spotting one open seat at the bar.
Waltzing in like she owned the place, she ordered her favorite rolls.
“What the heck? Do you like sake?” She leaned in towards the stranger sitting next to her.
“Sure. I like anything with alcohol in it.” The husky woman laughed heartily.
“Great! Let’s celebrate. Today’s a good day for that.” Lila nodded to the bartender. “Let’s get this party started.”
Ecclesiastes 2:9-11 is the heartbroken lamentation of King Solomon, the richest king of Israel. Although he was blessed with wisdom, riches and every kind of perk and pleasure that a man of his stature could consume, he felt empty. His heart hungered for more and nothing he captured, built or bought could fill that gaping hole in his aching heart.
I wonder how many people are feeling the same kind of sorrow that king Solomon expressed over two thousand years ago.
Theres a hunger that only God can fill. His presence offers the kind of peace that money cannot buy. Are you hungry for more? Ask God to fill you. He will. He’s got something so great it has no price tag. But, he’s willing to gift it to you…for free.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I have tried chasing after the things that I thought would make me happy. They made me happy for a moment, but then that moment faded away.
I searched for other things to fill that gaping whole in my soul, but nothing has come close to satisfying me.
As I read the words of Solomon, I know I am not alone in this endless search for solace.
Lord, will you fill me? I know there is more to life than what meets the eye and I am ready to let you into the deepest parts of my heart.
I don’t just want you on Sunday morning. I’m beginning to see that I need your presence in my everyday life.
I’m ready to go deeper. I promise to keep soaking in your presence with prayer and learning more about your thoughts by reading them in your Word.
In Jesus’ precious name, thank you for filling that hole in my heart, Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Ecclesiastes 2:9-11
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan