When you mention New Year’s Eve, most will have a picture in their minds of how they will spend this time. Some will celebrate the world’s way with intoxicating beverages, making them feel all is well when it is not. Some will spend time with friends and loved ones looking toward the new year with anticipation of family gatherings, perhaps weddings or births on the horizon. Some will spend time in church praying in the new year, while the vast majority will use it as an excuse to party. Some will sit in silence with no hope for the future. Their lives seem meaningless and insignificant to anyone. They have lived their lives for the pleasures of this world and finally realize, as Solomon did in Ecclesiastes, that life without God is meaningless and cannot fully satisfy our souls. Yet, many have no idea where to turn for meaning.
Ecclesiastes 1:2 “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.”
Solomon was a king who seemed to have it all. Yet, he came to a point in life when he realized life is fleeting, and all his endeavors and pleasures of this life were fading, leaving nothing but memories. He had chased wisdom, riches, and the pleasures of life, and in the end, they meant nothing when it came to eternity. They left him feeling empty.
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 “And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my portion of all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.”
While he seemed to have it all in man’s eyes, it failed to satisfy his soul, which naturally craves for something permanent. Something eternal, because we are eternal beings created in the image of an eternal God.
As he sat and assessed his life, he spoke from the heart. He sees his mistakes and the vanity that had controlled his life. He does say that there is a time for everything in its season and a purpose for both the good and the bad in life.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
Thankfully, this soul-searching that Solomon engaged in brought him from the thought of a meaningless life to the true purpose of life. In the world’s eyes, he was as successful as you could be. Money, things, even wisdom, were his in abundance. He had enjoyed all of God’s blessings, but the blessings alone were not enough. This knowledge pushed him to find the true meaning of life.
After exploring every situation he could think of, he concludes that life is short. Each situation God allows in our lives is to teach us and draw us closer to Him. It is to refine us and make us more like Jesus. This world is a staging ground to get us ready for Heaven. Instead of being pessimistic, we need to find the purpose in each opportunity God allows in our lives. Seek to rejoice in each day as we are taught in Psalm 118:24, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Enjoy the gifts that God has given each day. Find the good in your work. Be thankful you have work, be thankful you are able to work. Be thankful for your salvation and look at what God has done in your life. If you feel you have been cheated or that God isn’t treating you fairly, you need to take another look. We are all guilty of sinning against a Holy God. It is only His goodness that offers us life here and hereafter in Heaven. We do not deserve anything but Hell. Let that sink in.
We must see life as David did in Psalm 8:1-4, “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”
Solomon comes to the proper conclusion in chapter 12, verse 13-14. The ultimate is to fear God. Acknowledge Him for who he is, stand in awe of His power, in His all-knowing, and in His omnipresence. He needs to be your everything, and when He becomes that to you, your new year will be full of deep-seated joy that no one can take from you. His love will fill you to overflowing, which will affect those around you. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, rejoice in gratitude.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
Today, as you reflect on 2025, see your mistakes and ask for forgiveness. Determine in your heart to follow God closely. Do not make excuses for lack of time with Him. Do not allow the world to make you think you are missing out on the good life because you do not have the riches of this world. Make a list of priorities and make sure God and the things of God are at the top. Do not allow others to dictate your time at church, your study time, or your prayer time. Discipline yourself to do what God commands and do not give in to the flesh.
What you do in this new year is up to you. Make it the best one ever. When you mess up, and we all do, stop immediately and repent. Then get up and go again. You have not failed until you quit trying.
