In the book of Ecclesiastes, which Pastor Scott argues was likely written by King Solomon, we find that everything that is done under the sun is vanity of vanities. Every pursuit and work is utterly worthless when they are sought apart from recognizing God and His proper place as judge over all. But when we live this life in the fear of the Lord, recognizing His proper place in our lives, then we find what it truly means to live. We see, in Ecclesiastes that Solomon writes with a pessimistic optimism. In other words, he was a realist. He saw life for what it truly is and he spoke truthfully. Jay Adam's describes Solomon, in Ecclesiastes, by saying "He understands that life under the sun is life lived under God's curse with sin and all its consequences. He is genuinely pessimistic about man and his achievements, but supremely optimistic about God and His. And should be nothing but optimism about the lot of those who fear Him."
