Towards the end of Solomon’s life his kingdom begins to crumble. He had over-extended his resources in his quest for ever-greater power and had overworked his people. This would cause a series of internal political problems, and he had a steady stream of adversaries from this time on. In fact, this would be a time of revolution as many of the people rose up against Solomon. It is a sad ending. It is probably at the end of his life that Solomon applies his God given wisdom again and writes (or at least is the inspiration for) the book of Ecclesiastes. Here the regretful king looks at all that his fierce ambition had driven him to achieve in his lifetime and he declares it to be futile: “Vanity of vanities. A chasing after the wind.” As Solomon declares in one of the Psalms that he wrote: “Unless the Lord builds the house the builders labour in vain.” So much of his energy had been expended on things that he realises were completely futile. It is a sad realisation to have, and it is best to have it earlier rather than later. What are you living for? Don’t just live in an automated fashion, chasing your dreams and desires, without asking this question. The only life worth living is the life you were meant to live. You were made for God’s purpose. If you forsake God’s purpose for your own, you will waste the life you have been given. Surrender yourself to God, give yourself to his mission, become the person he has made you to be. Do this and you will THRIVE.
Will you choose to live for God?
Read 1 Kings 11:14-43
