God’s world: Solomon teaches us that all our endeavors on earth are in vain if the LORD is not in them. Whether construction or security, sustenance or family, apart from the LORD our every effort becomes only chasing wind. Without the LORD, it is all frustration. This is because this is God’s world. Not one sparrow falls to the ground apart from His will (Matt. 10:29). The LORD directs the sun to rise and the rains to fall (Matt. 5:45); He removes kings and establishes them (Dan. 2:21). He channels history like waters in His hands.[1] He is enthroned in the heavens (Ps. 123:1-2) and directs all things according to His own good will (Ps. 103:19; Eph. 1:11). The world is not a playground for man to frolic in; it is the theater in which He puts on display His glory (Is. 6:3). The sooner our hearts learn this, the sooner we are wise (James 4:15).

Prayer: Moreover, the sooner our hearts embrace this, the better we learn to pray. Whether it is the mundane tasks of everyday life or the eternal works of discipleship (Matt. 28:18-20), the giver of all good things is the LORD (Matt. 7:11; James 1:17). This is His world, and it is only as He acts and blesses that anything good ever comes to pass. Though Solomon taught this, he never did live up to this. But the One who descends from his line did: the Lord Jesus. He never did a thing of Himself but did all things ever dependent on His Father (John 5:19, 30; 8:29; 10:18). He is the beloved of God (Ps. 127:2) to whom the Father gives all things (John 3:35; Matt. 11:27; Heb. 1:2) and He prayed (Lk. 5:16; Heb. 5:7). Jesus taught us to do the same. All things are “possible with God” (Lk. 18:27); thus, we are to “pray and not lose heart” (Lk. 18:1).

[1] Solomon employs this imagery to describe the LORD’s providence over kings (Prov. 21:1; also 16:9).