Ecclesiastes
Changed my mind we may grab a little Isaiah and Daniel before we get caught up in the New Testament but I couldn’t pass Ecclesiastes without a little look.
13 Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, (Ec 7:13–14a)
This is one of the most humbling texts in all of Scripture for me. This isn’t the most humbling because of its theological content (perhaps that is humbling too) but because quite a few years ago (not as many as I wish) I asked my pastor in a Q&A what he thought this meant. The passage says much. First off we’re talking about considering the works of God…that is a vast topic so much could be said about that. Secondly, we’re looking at the Sovereignty fo God…who can make straight what he has made crooked. Thirdly, God has not only made the days of prosperity…so be joyful. Fourthly, He has also made the day of adversity as well. So God’s Sovereignty is firmly rooted in His character in all situations, in prosperity and in adversity. That’s not what is so humbling. What is so humbling is because in my desire to try and put more into this passage than was necessary, Solomon explained why this was if I had just taken the time to read the entire text.
so that man may not find out anything that will be after him (14b).
We can trust in the Sovereignty of God regardless of the current circumstance because God’s nature will never change (see Rom 8:28). He does what He does for His glory and for our good. I read the end and I know Who wins and I need not know anything else but that. So whatever your circumstance you can take great joy in knowing that God uses all things for good…even if they may be difficult (see James 1:2 and 1 Peter 1:6-9) As Jesus said “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b)