King Solomon and the pursuit of happiness

WE BEGIN the year pretty much were we left off last year. The economic situation is no better and in fact it would not be surprising if it gets even worse.

Times will get even more difficult as the Second Coming of Jesus draws nearer and nearer. The world will soon be in a frenzy trying to balance things up, changing political leaders and government regimes hoping someone will have an answer.

But how can we find true happiness in such times? The search for true happiness all too often ends in failure. In the laboratory, the scientist works wonders with chemicals but still can’t distil the substance that will bring about happiness. The physicist splits the heart of the atom, yet cannot discover the vibration of true happiness. The astronomer peers into the lonely emptiness of space beyond the farthest star through his giant Hubble telescope, but happiness still eludes him.

The artist sits before his canvas, to come up with some fantasy picture of happiness but is not altogether satisfied with the final portrayed product. The ordinary migrant will work his hands to the bone and buy two or more houses ‘back home’ and think to enjoy them, but soon receives reports that the paint is peeling, the walls are cracking or the house needs a completely new carpet.

A wealthy man discovers that “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15). The man at the top of the ladder of success finds that the money brings worry and sleepless nights, but cannot buy happiness. Many, rushing through life in pursuit of happiness, find their hair turning white, their shoulders beginning to stoop, wrinkles developing across their faces, their step faltering, and, with a sigh, an outstretched hand, they reach the end of their journey- with happiness still beyond. Indeed like the proverbial carrot on a rod.

History has proven that men do not learn from history. Solomon, the world’s wisest man, joined in the search for happiness. His testimony is: “I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised” (Ecclesiastes 1:13).

Did Solomon make a complete search? Did he succeed? We read on: “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:14).

He was the wisest man of his age, the leading scientist of his day, the world’s greatest botanist. He spoke of trees, “from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall;” He was the greatest authority of his time on zoology, “he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish” (1 Kings 4:33).

Not only that, Solomon was a literary genius, a walking encyclopaedia. “He spoke three thousand proverbs.” He was one of the greatest song writers who ever lived, “his songs were one thousand and five” (1 kings 4: 32). Do you know anyone who wrote more?

Solomon gathered the literary treasures of the past into his great library; and burnt the “candle on both ends” researching. He once said: “Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh” (Ecclesiastes 12:12).

It is also true that Solomon also tasted every physical and mental joy of life. “God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore” (1 Kings 4:29). When the Queen of Sheba visited his court to hear and see for herself first hand, she left saying: “However, I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard (1 Kings 10:7).

But did all this bring happiness? No. Solomon told us: “For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow” (Ecclesiastes 1:18).

Solomon tried wealth. He was worth millions. But watch what he says: “He who trusts in his riches will fall” (Proverbs 11:28) and “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1).

Time and space will not allow us to talk about his great buildings, his farming enterprises, and the luxury in which he lived; but still remained unhappy. “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labour in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun”  (Ecclesiastes 2:11).

What about women? Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines – a thousand in total! Imagine a man servicing a thousand credit cards! (1 Kings 11:3). Then last he dipped into alcohol (Ecclesiastes 2:3), but all he discovered was, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1).

Did he finally find happiness though? Yes. “But happy is he who keeps the law” (Proverbs 29:18). He found happiness in obedience to God. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). That’s how simple it all is. It was God’s plan in the beginning that man should be honest, faithful and reasonable. This is his make-up. When he disobeys, he pays for it with disease, restlessness and dissatisfaction of the heart and sometimes, his life. His conscience troubles him always.

Any happiness that is sought outside service of God is unbalanced and transitory. It soon passes away, leaving a huge void of loneliness and dissatisfaction than ever. One thing is certain: Disobedience to God brings unhappiness everywhere it happens. It brings confusion, suffering, pain and ultimately, death.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). He who believes in Jesus will not only have happiness here and now but is assured of the promise: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). These will be the sweetest words ever to fall on mortal ears.

We must be ambitious and strive for the best but put everything in perspective like Job. When he lost all, he did not get all suicidal but acknowledged, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:2). Every true Christian has the right to be happy because by faith we keep ourselves in the atmosphere of Christ’s love. We have the commitment of scripture and confidence in the completeness of His sacrifice. We therefore have moved from the pleadings of fearful men to praises of freed men. We bear our gruelling struggles patience because of the promise of a glorious success in Jesus. Put your hand in His as we go through this New Year. We don’t know what it has in store for us, but what confidence we have because we know in whom we believe and that He is faithful to the end!

Some day soon He will pierce the eastern skies, and that little dark cloud the size of a man’s hand grows bigger and brighter as it draws nearer and nearer earth, the culmination of the Blessed Hope, may we be found among those who will be saying, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation” (Isaiah 25:9).