Empty? (KJV)

Solomon appeared to have everything … he was the richest man in the world. He had friendships with foreign dignitaries. He had constructed monumental buildings. He had power as a ruling monarch. He was involved in religious activities. Yet, at the end of his life, he said, “…vanity of vanities; all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2b). Solomon felt empty in spite of the things around him. Have you, like King Solomon of Bible times, ever wondered what life is all about? Are you searching for something to fill your empty soul? Although life has its pleasant moments, they cannot fill the emptiness of the soul or erase the pain of the dark days. The Bible says that you cannot find that “something” to fill your soul apart from God. Life apart from God is meaningless. I. Money does not fill the emptiness. “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). II. Popularity and fame are vain. “There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit” (Ecclesiastes 4:16). III. Great accomplishments and work cannot bring lasting fulfillment. “Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity” (Ecclesiastes 2:18-19). IV. Having religion, but not a relationship with God cannot fill the void. “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil” (Ecclesiastes 5:1). V. Simply living for self and trying to enjoy life cannot satisfy. “But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 11:8). If the purpose of life is not found in any of these things, then where is it? How can you fill the emptiness of your soul? “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Solomon’s conclusion after trying so many empty things was that nothing but fearing God could satisfy the soul or fill the emptiness. Why should you fear God? 1. You are a sinner. “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). 2. God hates sin and will judge it. “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). 3. Sin will send you to hell. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15). God wants you to see your sinful condition and repent (change your mind about your sin and who Christ is). “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30). When you repent, the Bible says: “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite [crushed] spirit” (Psalms 34:18). What is God’s commandment for you once you acknowledge your spiritual need? “And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ” (I John 3:23). Jesus Christ can save you from your sin because: 1. He is God’s Son; therefore, He is God. “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30). 2. He became a man. “And the Word [Jesus] was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14a). 3. He is sinless. “And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin” (I John 3:5). 4. He took our sins upon Himself. “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree” (I Peter 2:24). 5. He shed His blood and died to pay for our sins. “In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14). “Without shedding of blood is no remission [forgiveness]” (Hebrews 9:22). 6. He resurrected and conquered sin and death. “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:3-4). Friend, only the sinless Son of God can take away your burden of sin and rescue you from the emptiness (vanity) of a godless life. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name [Jesus] under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). How can you find the true meaning of life? Have a relationship with God by believing on Jesus Christ and asking Him to save you! “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).