Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

December 2– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“Behold, everything is empty.”

—Ecclesiastes 1:14

Nothing can satisfy the entire man but the Lord’s love and the Lord’s own self. Saints have tried to anchor themselves in other temporary harbors, but they have been driven out from such fatal refuges. Solomon, the wisest of men, was permitted to make experiments for us all and to do for us what we must not dare to do for ourselves. Here is his testimony in his own words:

“I became great and increased more than all others. Whatever my eyes desired, I seized for myself; I did not withhold my heart from any joy, and I rejoiced in all that I had accomplished. But then I looked on all the works of my hands and, behold, everything was empty and wearying in spirit, and there was nothing of value under the sun. Empty, empty, everything is empty!”

What did he say? Everything?! Empty? O favored king, is there nothing in all your wealth? Nothing in that wide kingdom reaching from the river to the sea? Nothing in your glorious palaces? Nothing in all of nature? In all your music and dancing, and wine and luxury, is there nothing? He says, “Nothing, but weariness of spirit.” This was his verdict when he explored every kind of pleasure.

To embrace our Lord Jesus, to dwell in his love, and be fully assured of union with him— this is truly everything. Dear reader, you don’t need to try other forms of life to see if they are better than that of being a true Christian. If you travel around the world, you will see no sights like a sight of the Savior’s face. If you could have all the comforts of life but lost your Savior, you would be miserable. But, if you know Christ, then even if you should rot in a dungeon, you would find it a paradise; if you live in obscurity or die in famine, you will still be satisfied with favor and full of the goodness of God. [M&E]