All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied. Ecclesiastes 6:7
Going through most towns throughout America, and probably many other nations, one will see restaurants all over the city. Often there will be a section of town in which there are several blocks of just restaurants and nothing else. People love to eat food of every style and have it available for them. Along with all the people eating out, even more are eating their meals at home. The focus is filling their bellies with what satisfies them in the moment.
Solomon points out that men work hard in order to have food to eat, but at the same time his soul is not satisfied.
Food is a necessary thing for every person to have. The desire of most people is to have food that they like and can enjoy, not just sustain them. Having food is good, but it is only temporary and is needed over and over on a regular basis. Although food is good, may even taste great, it does not do anything for the soul of a person.
The world is looking for a temporary fulfillment of joy and satisfaction. This can be found in food, entertainment, sexual pleasures, games, work and much more. People will work very hard to get that temporary fulfillment in some form or another.
The problem with temporary fulfillment is that it does not satisfy the soul. It is immediately gone. God made mankind for eternity, not just a temporary life on this planet. When people are searching for the things that only fulfill temporarily, they miss what they were made for.
Believers, who are working to do God’s will can have their soul satisfied with the joy and pleasure God gives. This will last for eternity and through every situation good or bad.
It is good for you to work to provide physical food for you to eat, however, it is better to work for the spiritual food that nourishes your soul. Only as you do what God has purposed for you to do will you find true satisfaction in your life and soul. This is a peace and contentment that will last through the difficulties of this life, giving you peace and purpose for all that occurs. Find your satisfaction in the eternal things of God, not the temporary things of this world.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the purpose God has for your life; that you will strive to work for God in all that you do; and that you will find satisfaction in your soul as you serve God with your whole life.
Picture by Igor Rand on Unsplash
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