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Ecclesiastes 7.14 (NIV)
When times are good, be
happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the
other.
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| Difficult times are an opportunity for people of faith to shine.* |
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Solomon has pragmatic advice for how to look at life: Good
or bad, we know that God is in control so what are we going to do about it? We
can’t understand “the meaning of the complex events of life” but we can “at
least enjoy the good that comes” to us.*
It is good advice – “enjoy the good times.” But, do we
need to be reminded that the good times don’t last forever? In Job 1.21, we are
prompted to remember that God gives and God takes away (but, may the name of
the Lord be praised!).
Since we can’t know whether tomorrow is going to be a
good day or a bad one, perhaps we should just expect the best. If you are in a
valley, think of it as a “divine assignment from God.”* Look for
God’s purpose in your circumstances – how you can grow from them; how others
might be blessed; how God might be glorified. As you spend time in prayer and in
the Word, God’s purpose will be fulfilled – and maybe even revealed.
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| If a person believes God’s goal is to make him happy rather than holy, it is understandable that he would be disappointed and irritated when things do not go his way.* |
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