June 6, 2013 (Ecclesiastes 1-3; Psalm 45; Ephesians 2)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.” Ecclesiastes 1:18 NLT
Observation: Solomon asked God for wisdom above all else, but did he know what he was asking for? Do you think he ever imagined wisdom would bring him so much pain? Do you think he ever considered how wisdom would enlighten him to the things ordinary people could not see? Solomon was learning with great wisdom came great grief. The more he learned the more his sorrow increased. The wisdom he gained revealed the depravity he was. He searched for the meaning of life and discovered that all was meaningless. He understood huge houses, fancy vineyards, beautiful parks and gardens, slaves, gold and silver, and all that a man could desire, was all meaningless in the end. Real satisfaction is found in Christ alone, He is the only one with eternal meaning.
Application: The more you understand, the greater your pain and difficulty. The more God reveals to you the more clearly you will see. The things that seem so important today are revealed as meaningless tomorrow. This is true with all things in this life. The storms we face today seem so huge and burdensome, but as God reveals the mystery of His plan, and we see it beginning to unfold, wisdom reveals the importance of the storm we face. As you seek wisdom from God prepare yourself to feel more, see more, question more, hurt more, and experience God more than you ever have before. He will reveal mysteries to you that will over joy you at times, while other mysteries will bring with them great agony and pain. As you go along, you will learn what Solomon meant when he said “The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.”
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Prepare me to receive the wisdom You desire to give me. Open the understanding of my heart and help me interpret the meaning of all You reveal. Lift me up when I stumble, hold me up when I’m weak. Encourage me when what You reveal is heavy and burdensome to my soul; keep me humble when what You reveal brings great joy, in Jesus name, Amen!