The Pursuit of Happiness

From the foundation of this world, from the beginning of civilization to this present society, man has been engaged in a relentless pursuit of happiness!

From the foundation of this world, from the beginning of civilization to this present society, man has been engaged in a relentless pursuit of happiness!

Unfortunately, the historical record paints a dismal picture of failure and frustration.  

In his quest for happiness, mankind has instead found a mixed bag of war, disease and deprivation; mixed in with periods of peace, economic prosperity and amazing breakthroughs in science, medicine and technology.

Though he searches diligently and earnestly, he finds no real, lasting satisfaction.  

No happiness.  

No contentment.

Why do many live a life of desperation, depression and dissatisfaction?  

Why do many simply EXIST, swept up by frustration, misery and a consuming emptiness?

People continue to be absorbed today with their worldly cares and pleasures yet, still miserable and unhappy. 

They are floundering and LOST because they are convinced that joy, happiness and satisfaction come from having things. 

Stuff. 

Physical pleasures and delights.

They think that accumulating money and wealth; hoarding and collecting more and more material possessions; and, acquiring power, fame and status will result in some happily-ever-after existence.

Is this what true and lasting happiness is?

The Bible is the only authoritative, reliable source that tells us WHAT real and lasting happiness is and HOW we may acquire it. 

So, open your Bibles and read about the life of one of the richest— if not the richest man — who ever lived:  Solomon, king of all Israel.

Solomon inherited a kingdom from his father David.

A kingdom so vast, you can almost consider it a vast empire of kingdoms that stretched across 60,000 square miles from the River Euphrates north to the Nile River in the southwest; to the Mediterranean in the west; and eastwards to the kingdoms of Edom, Moab, Ammon and Syria.

And the kings of these kingdoms submitted to Solomon’s rule (1 Kings 4:21). 

God blessed Solomon with immense wealth that enabled him to live a life of luxury and comfort.

He had an annual income equivalent to THREE BILLION DOLLARS today (1 Kings 10:14)!

God also gave Solomon the wisdom that he asked for. 

Under his wise rulership, the kingdom of Israel flourished and prospered.  

Solomon's reputation spread throughout the world and earned the fear and respect of other rulers.

Solomon had it all: money, fame and power!!!!  

He enjoyed every material and physical blessing there was to have (Ecclesiastes 2:1-10).  

He had whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it.  

He lacked absolutely nothing in material comfort. 

No problems.  No worries. 

But, was Solomon happy? 

Notice what he himself said in Ecclesiastes chapter 2 and verse 11.

11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had spent in doing it . . . 

And labor he did.  

He built houses.

He cultivated gardens and vineyards and orchards.  

He planted various fruit trees.

He accumulated lots and lots of gold and silver.

. . .and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Notice this stunning statement from this man who had so much.

Verse 17, Ecclesiastes chapter 2.

17 So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

"I HATED LIFE," Solomon said.

If wealth, fame and power are what bring happiness to a man, then Solomon was the supreme poster person for ultimate happiness. 

WHY was Solomon dissatisfied, unfulfilled and miserable?

Here’s what the Bible says.

Here is what Jesus Christ Himself tells us in no uncertain terms.

Turn to Luke chapter 12 and verse 15.

15 And he said to them, "Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

For sure, money can pay the bills and put food on the table.  

But it cannot solve a troubled marriage.

It cannot cure depression.  Nor can it heal strained relationships with family and friends. 

But, as Solomon found out, without God in the picture, the joy and satisfaction from material goods and physical pleasures will simply fade away.

For joy and satisfaction and gladness to last; to enjoy a full and sparkling life; a life filled with excitement and meaning, we need God.

Open your Bibles, and REALLY get to know the true God of the Bible.

Put the God of our exceeding joy to be at the forefront, first AND foremost, at the very center of our lives (Psalms 43:4).

Build a close relationship with Him.

Obey Him and do what He says.

And He will help you with all the turmoil, trouble and uncertainty going on all around you.  

You don’t have to be consumed by worries and concerns. 

You don’t have to be weighed down with such unbelievable stress. 

You don’t have to lose sleep because you’re under such enormous pressure.

But if God is not in the picture, things may work out well for a little bit.

And then it’s back to the same festering, simmering problems:  how do I pay the bills; put food on the table; take care of my family; keep a roof over our heads. 

And your anxiety and worry is aggravated even more because you think you can solve the problems yourself. 

You think you’ve got it all figured out.

But at the root of it all is your decision to do what you want and go your own way.

As a result, you have cut yourself off from God Almighty, the Source of all blessings and the Giver of all good things.

But when God is front and center and you obey Him and do what He says, here is what happens.

Psalm 144 and verse 15.

15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case:  yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.

That’s real happiness right there.

That’s true success and lasting prosperity brimful and running over.