by Mick Lockwood, Hall Green Baptist Church, Haworth

The Bible teaches us that not only did God create us but he made us to have a relationship with himself. We must all live for something and if it is not for God then we substitute him with our own hopes and expectations.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon shows us that whatever substitute for God we choose, even if we are successful, it does not bring the satisfaction we hoped it would.

Solomon’s circumstances were unique. He was a King and answerable to no other human being.

He was healthy, rich and intelligent. He could do whatever he wanted and succeeded in everything he set out to do. He gave himself to learning as much as he could and gained great knowledge but found it only brought sorrow.

So he set out to have a good time and enjoy life to the full, not denying himself anything, but found that unfulfilling. He then tried to find purpose in his life by hard work and leaving a legacy for future generations, but none of this brought him the satisfaction he longed for.

At the end of his book he comes to his conclusion; “Fear God, (meaning deeply respect him) and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” On one occasion Jesus was asked, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

That is a great question for anyone who wants to respect God. His answer may seem surprising. “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

We might have expected a list of things to do, but instead we are simply asked to trust Jesus because he can deliver that purpose to life that Solomon and all of us desire.