Scripture:
Ecclesiastes 8:14-15 ESV
[14] There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. [15] And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.
Observation:
As we know, Solomon was a very versatile man. He had watched searched listened and learned. He sought out wisdom. He wanted answers. Why did this happen? What can I do to fix it? To put it in short terms. Solomon was a people watcher. HE sat back and saw how the world operates. Oh, I’m sure he got engaged as well. After all, he built the temple. However, in his lifetime, he saw good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to those who walked upright. But why? Did they do something to deserve it was there something that caused this to happen? I’m pretty sure it all boils down to this. There is no way to know for sure how life is going to unfold. Solomon knew that trusting GOD in all things good, bad, or indifferent was the only answer. In the book of James, we see this explained as well when he mentions the fact that we don’t know what tomorrow holds. How can we make plans and say I’m going to do this or that… what should be said is if GOD wills it this or that will happen. The bottom line is good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to good people. Just look at Job, a man who was upright in all he did. Lost it all. Oh, now I know you can say that wasn’t Job’s fault. GOD gave permission for the enemy to do that to show Job’s integrity… now you have fallen right into my point. Bad things happen to good people to punch the enemy fright in the face when they stand on GOD’S word. Knowing that HE will not leave HIS righteous ones begging for bread.
Application:
Have you ever been left wondering why something so horrible could happen to such a good person? Sometimes, it just doesn’t make sense. We may think the world is unfair. When looking at how these things happen. Let me remind you of the real enemy that is out there. His job is to steal kill and destroy. If he sees that you are being used by GOD, of course, he is going to come against you. If he doesn’t, maybe it’s not GOD you are being used by. It’s nice to think that if you are good… good things happen to you, and to some extent, that’s true. However, James tells us that things are going to happen and he even tells us why… count it all joy when you face trials because the testing of your faith is in a sense completing it so that you will lack nothing. We really need to trust GOD in good times and bad in sickness and in health. Knowing that HE has a plan and it is good. In the middle of the storm, HE is there. In the still small whisper, HE is there. You may watch the wicked get what you deserve, and you may end up getting what they have earned. But GOD is aware, and HE knows just what HE is doing. HIS word tells us HE will never leave us or forget about us. We just need to trust in that.
Prayer:
Father, we trust what you are doing. We know that our faith is being perfected… made complete… finished. We will all experience hard times. However, when we trust you, we can know that you will see us through. We are going to the other side. The seeds that have been planted by you are the ones we need to focus on. It’s not the storm that matters it’s the one who is with us in it that should always catch our attention. Let us keep our focus on Jesus, the author, and the finisher of our faith. We know that we will all see the storm. At some point, we will be in the middle of it. Trusting that you are GOD and you know what you are doing is the key. No one is exempt from good or bad things. All that really matters is where we stand with you. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.