God has created us with the capacity to fellowship with Him. Unlike
animals, we are spiritual creatures. It is the desire of God to enter a
relationship with us so He created us with this capacity. A quick look at
David's life will show us how important this principle was for him. What
did David do when things started to crumble around him? Where did he go
to make sense of his confusing and dark world? Over and over again, David
reached out to the Eternal One. Time after time, he found comfort in calling
out to God. Where would we go if God had not created within us this
capacity to enjoy Him and fellowship with Him? There are times when God
is all we have. There are times when nobody else understands. In light of
the darkness and cruelty of life, there is a ray of hope. God has created us
with eternity in our hearts. There is someone we can go to in these times.
God has created us with the capacity to find strength, enabling and comfort
in Him as an eternal God. What a blessing and encouragement this is to us
today.
Having said this, Solomon now tells us how we need to respond to the
burden of life. Firstly, he tells us that we need to learn to be happy (verse
12). We can only be happy when we understand the truth Solomon has just
told us. God will make everything beautiful in His time and He has put
eternity into our hearts. When life deals you a cruel blow, be reminded of
these truths. May the reality of these truths bring happiness and joy to your
heart. Understanding that God is in control and that He will make things
beautiful should make us happy. What do we have to fear? Why should we
worry? God is in control. In this we can rejoice.
Secondly, Solomon reminds us that we need to do good (verse 12). How
many times have we, in light of the burden of life, responded with bitterness
and anger towards those who hurt us? When struck we have a tendency to
strike back. Whatever people may say or do to us, we know that God is
greater. He will work out all things for our good (Romans 8:28). When we
understand this, we are able to bless those who curse us. We are able to pray
for those who abuse us. We seek their blessing because we know that no
matter what they do, God can use it to draw us closer to Himself.
There is another thing that God gives us in this life of struggle and turmoil.
He gives us the gift of satisfaction and contentment (see verse 13). Many
times, however, we resist this gift. By our bitterness and anger we reject His