Solomon had everything: wisdom, wealth, power, and influence. He had experienced life to the fullest, yet he came to a conclusion that none of it could truly satisfy. Despite having everything most people dream of, he realized they were all ultimately “meaningless,” like chasing the wind.
Ecclesiastes 1:14 (NIV): “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of what we think will bring us fulfillment. It could be a relationship, a promotion, a certain way of life—believing that once we get it, we will feel complete. But even when we do reach those goals, we’re often left asking, “Is this it?” That’s what Solomon is pointing out.
Ecclesiastes 2:11 says, “When I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”
These things can never fully satisfy us because they aren’t meant to. They’re fleeting, temporary, and ultimately hollow when placed at the center of our hearts.
This doesn’t mean that relationships, careers, or achievements are bad. They can be wonderful gifts when we view them through the lens of God’s will. But when we place our identity and sense of worth in them, they become idols.
This is why having a relationship with God is so important. It’s not about going through the motions or only turning to Him in times of need—it’s about having a daily encounter with Him that will shape every aspect of our lives.
Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” When we make God the center of our lives, everything else falls into place. We stop looking to temporary things to fulfill us and begin to find our peace, worth, and joy in Him alone.
Jesus made it clear in John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” Just as a branch cannot survive without being connected to the vine, we can’t truly live without being rooted in God. Our sense of purpose and fulfillment flows directly from our relationship with Him. Without that connection, we are like a branch that just withers and dies.
Conclusion: The truth is, no matter how hard we chase after things—relationships, success, or approval—if they’re not rooted in God, they will leave us feeling empty. True satisfaction comes not from what we achieve or accumulate but from knowing God deeply and making Him the center of our lives. So let’s stop chasing what will never satisfy and start pursuing the One who gives our lives true meaning, purpose, and peace.
Today’s devotional is not only targeted at educating men but also at helping women know what types of men to avoid.
There are three kinds of men.
1. The Hunters
2. The Predators
3. The farmers
Married couples can also greatly benefit from this article because they can work towards being a better version of themselves.
For the singles, it becomes a guiding light to recognize and be able to know guys who are wolves in sheep’s clothing and to be able to avoid them.
Let’s dive into it.
1. The Hunters:
These are guys who recognize the good virtues in ladies, they have high taste and only desire the best of the ladies. They are very strategic and skillful. They usually don’t give up until they get their target.
It will interest you to know that this is the nature of all men whether single or married.
Married women should be careful of such married men who go about chasing married women. Please honor your marriage vows, and give them no attention.
These men are very skillful, looking for ways to warm their ways into undiscerning women’s hearts. They want to eventually use such women for their own selfish interests or gains. To satisfy their rush of adrenaline or for financial benefits. They are in the habit of leading ladies on, only to eventually marry someone else or marry them to brag about their conquest.
2. The Predators
These guys prey on their targets, which are usually weak ladies. These ladies may be financially strong but emotionally weak or vulnerable.
They are also very skillful and strategic in their approach. They are the sweet or sugar-coated talkers.
They have no interest in helping the weak but have an interest in preying on them. They usually leave their victims worse off. Their relationship most often ends in tears. Such guys move on to other ladies after they feel they have succeeded in milking their victims.
Ladies, whether married or Singles must stay clear of such guys. To avoid stories that touch the heart.
3. The farmers
These are the nurturers. They nurture the ladies they come in contact with. Their focus is to bring out the best in them. They are usually helpers with no ulterior motives. They are patient until they have nurtured the lady to a remarkable stage.
These guys never leave any lady the same way they meet them. The ladies are better, stronger, more emotionally stronger, richer, more spiritually mature, more knowledgeable, wise,r and better in every aspect of their lives.
Every woman or lady needs a ‘farmer’ in their life, one who will nurture God’s gifts in them. God desires every man to be a ‘farmer’ to His daughters. Jesus brought healing to every woman he had contact with and left them better than he met them.
Every man must pray to possess the qualities of a ‘Farmer’.
Time doesn’t really make things better; what happens IN time is what has the power to change the course of actions.
So, if the enemy has stolen from your life, marriage, family, and career last year, he will come to take another this year. Don’t think that the passage of time from 2024 to 2025 will stop him from taking another. He will come for another!
“Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.”Acts 12:2-3 [NKJV]
Herod had killed James, and you would think that was enough and that time would make him stop. It didn’t. When he was done with James, he went for Peter! And had he been able to deal with Peter, he would have gone for another. And then another. And another… until there was none left.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” John 10:10 [NKJV]
But the church stopped that from happening—they stopped the enemy from taking another. How?
“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. Acts 12:5 [KJV]
Prayer was made without ceasing. What changed the narrative was what the church did in time—they made constant prayers.
In this season, things will spiral into more mess if you don’t step in and stop the flow. The enemy will take another if you don’t step in and stop the flow. More things will go wrong in your marriage if you don’t step in and stop the flow. Your life will get worse if you don’t arise and stop the flow.
It’s that year that we arise and declare, “No more!”
I intend to share with you one of the scriptures that God revealed to me as a young Christian this morning.
Praying this scripture opened me up to the supernatural. As if the curtains of the heavens were drawn, I became aware of many things, including His direction for my life and His specific desires for me at each moment.
Here is the scripture.
Jer 33:3 (KJV) Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
You know what I love about this? It’s the fact that God promised to answer your prayers immediately, without any delay.
Call upon me, and I will answer you…
Notice that He didn’t promise to fulfill your request, but He simply said He would answer your call!
He will respond! How will he respond?
He is going to reveal things to you!
Great Things! Mighty Things!
Which you don’t know.
The reality is that what you don’t know is more than what you know. Yet, what you know determines your progress in life.
God said He would show you!
Let’s take a look at other translations.
Jer 33:3 (MSG) ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvellous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’
Wondrous things and marvelous things that you can’t figure out alone, He said He will show you!
People of God, get ready for God this year to show you marvelous and wondrous things, and you will know it is God showing you because they are things you could not figure out on your own!
This will give you an advantage in life and propel you beyond your contemporaries!
I pray that this year will be a year of revelations and insights that will advance you massively in Jesus’ name!
Shrouded Secrets, Resolute Exploits: The Chronicles of Sola’s Triumph
Sola, a devout and committed member of her village community, met George at a bustling market festival. George, known for his street smarts and charming demeanor, pursued Sola persistently. He often suggested they prove their love through physical intimacy, claiming it was customary in the village. Despite George’s persistent attempts, Sola remained steadfast in her beliefs and commitment to her faith, consistently refusing his exploits and advances.
The village, while vibrant and close-knit, had its share of issues. Families were under stress due to economic hardships and social pressures. Sola’s home life was particularly strained. Her father, a hardworking farmer, struggled with poor harvests, and her mother, who sold handmade crafts, was equally stressed. The constant financial struggles often led to heated arguments between her parents, creating an unbearable atmosphere for Sola. In her search for peace, Sola found herself spending more time with George, seeking solace from the turmoil at home.
George’s early years were marked by constant struggle and hardship. His father left when he was just a toddler, forcing his mother to raise four children alone. Living in a dilapidated hut on the outskirts of the village, basic necessities were often a luxury. George’s mother sold vegetables in the market, but her earnings were meager, and many nights, the family went to bed hungry.
Moreover, Growing up without a father figure, George had to fend for himself, taking on odd jobs around the village. By his teenage years, he had fallen in with a group of young men from troubled backgrounds. They found solace in each other’s company but also engaged in risky behavior to gain respect, and validation and prove their exploits. George, usually at the forefront of these challenges, felt intense peer pressure to prove himself, especially when it came to Sola.
One fateful day, after another intense argument at home, Sola visited George, hoping for respite. George greeted her warmly and offered her freshly tapped palm wine. Trusting George despite her doubts, Sola took a sip, unaware it was drugged. As the drug took effect, Sola felt dizzy and disoriented. George coaxed her to rest, and as her consciousness faded, she was vaguely aware of being moved.
Hours later, Sola awoke in a haze, with George and three other men standing around her. Despite her condition, Sola mustered her strength to fight back, using self-defense techniques taught by her mother, who did exploits in martial arts. However, her strikes were weak and unsteady. Overpowered and outnumbered, Sola realized the men intended to assault her. The vibrant sounds of the village festival outside contrasted cruelly with her plight.
Despite the overwhelming odds, Sola managed to escape the hut, bruised and traumatized. She stumbled back home, where her parents, noticing her disheveled state, immediately embraced her, providing the comfort she desperately needed.
Sola’s story spread quickly through the village, leading the elders to convene a council. George and his accomplices were summoned and faced severe punishment for their actions. This incident sparked a broader discussion about trust, relationships, and the influences of external pressures on the village’s youth.
Amid the turmoil, however, it was revealed that Sola had recently won a dancing competition and was chosen to do more exploits by representing her village in an inter-village competition. This achievement highlighted her resilience and the potential to rise above her challenges.
Lessons Learned
Trust and Values
Sola’s experience serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of misplaced trust and the importance of upholding personal values despite external pressures. It’s crucial to be discerning about whom you trust and allow into your life, especially when their values and intentions differ from yours.
Avoiding Vulnerable Situations
It’s essential to avoid putting oneself in vulnerable situations. Meeting people in safe, neutral locations can help maintain personal safety and prevent potential harm.
Seeking Healthy Support
Finding healthy outlets for support, such as friends, mentors, or community leaders, can provide the comfort and guidance needed without compromising safety. Sola’s turn to George for solace due to her stressful home environment highlights the importance of seeking support in healthy ways.
Trusting Instincts
Trusting one’s instincts can often prevent dangerous situations. Sola had initial doubts about George’s intentions but ignored them, leading to her traumatic experience.
Value Alignment in Relationships
Building relationships with individuals who share similar values and beliefs can create a stronger, more supportive network. Sola’s values clashed with George’s, leading to conflict and ultimately, harm.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sola’s story is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of maintaining personal integrity in the face of adversity. Moreover, her resilience and ability to overcome such a traumatic experience serve as an inspiration to others, emphasizing the importance of trust, values, and the support of a caring community.
