JAN 13 

Ecclesiastes 2:1-2
Memorise 2 Timothy 2:22
"I said of laughter, it is mad"

IS PLEASURE AND LAUGHTER VAIN?

Solomon’s next objective was then to seek after mirth and pleasure, to see what the world had to offer, and try to enjoy life as he observed in the sons of men. Again he communed with his heart, and decided within himself that he would now want to seek after the pleasures of this life.

Before he describes what he did exactly, he straightaway informs the reader that indeed the whole endeavour was vanity. He declared of laughter and of mirth and jesting, that it is ‘mad’, in that it is an activity that is devoid of wisdom, foolish and cannot fulfil. Indeed that is what we would realize about laughter, merry-making and revelry as well. A moderate amount to de-stress or to crack up a tense situation is good. However excessive jesting and laughter becomes a very vain activity, and fulfils nothing at all. We can try to seek all the entertainment that the world can offer; we can surround ourselves with the most humorous and fun-loving people; we can try to go out to enjoy all the fun that life can offer; but at the end of it, what does it bring?

Dear Teen, we may look around at the way our non-Christian friends live and seem to enjoy themselves. We may watch as they go out, party and have fun, and engage in activities which we know are sinful. What is our response to them? Are we sometimes tempted to join them? And do we feel like we are missing out on something if we do not try out these things for ourselves, at least once? You may think that we ought to at least experience what it is like being in a club, or to taste that sip of alcohol, or to watch that movie, and if we don’t then we have never enjoyed true pleasure!

We would do well to take heed of Solomon’s warning, that these sorts of pleasures that the people of the world indulge in is but vain life that will not grant any sort of long term fulfilment. Yes we may enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, but at the end of it all, it is but vanity and a vexation to the spirit, and brings nothing but sorrow, and shame. Furthermore, it grieves the Lord to see His children engaging with the filth and sin of the world. Surely, we do not want to disappoint God!

Thought: Am I tempted by things that bring only short-term gratification?
Prayer: Lord, may You grant me the strength and the courage to resist temptation and the sins of the world!