Ecclesiastes 7.
Worldly wisdom just falls short, doesn't it? It can be so depressing and devoid of hope as people try to cope and make sense of their struggles. Godly wisdom has actual-factual power to benefit for this life and the next. It contains real hope as an anchor in a stormy world.
Within this chapter is a good reminder to not be too hasty to bail people out of jail. It seems counterintuitive, as we want to help others and see their problems solved, but let's not lose sight of the Lord working in their lives. Let their brokenness run its course, and hope it runs them straight to God. Broken hearts lead to open hearts. Godly sorrow leads to repentance. Godly wisdom would say, don't be too sad or try to fix their problems too quickly. Our Savior is the best teacher in the universe. He knows how to reach His people. Trust Him in that. This is a tough one for us, eh? Consider how we pray? Don't we pray that every problem is solved and every dream come true? Let's not treat God like a gumball machine, where we put a coin in and expect a favorable treat. How do you feel when the machine eats your quarter and you don't get what you wanted? This calls for Godly wisdom. Pray in line with what God wants in your situations. Ask Him for what He wants and agree. Again, trust Him to give His very best to His people. After all, He really does want everyone to come to a saving knowledge of His Son and spend eternity with Him. He proved that by dying on the cross. He prayed for that in John 17.
Verse 13 was a grim reminder of certain situations we face. "Who can straighten what He has made crooked?" There are certain people who are bent, twisted, and crooked. Our influence seems to be ineffective. These situations speak of the impossibility we face. They are humble reminders of what is impossible for man is possible for God. Perhaps we are spoiled and overconfident that we sometimes influence people positively and make a difference. I propose we realize it is God that brings the fruit, no matter how easily our counsel or assistance affects change. It is always God that deserves the credit for anything good. This verse speaks of those desperate cases that are obviously beyond our influence. They require much prayer and releasing to the Lord, trusting Him with the results. Know anyone like this? Sometimes you're even related to them!
Solomon likely is bitter about women, as he was burned quite deeply by them. They were ultimately his undoing, but only the man in the mirror was to blame. He claimed he couldn't find one upright woman among them all! He found only one upright man amongst the crowd. I wonder who that was? We have a people problem that needs redeemed and God knows it very well. He made us to live uprightly, but we have gone off in search of many schemes and pursuits of selfishness.
They say experience is the best teacher, but we've already recognized that Jesus is truly the best at His craft. We should be reminded that these experiences don't have to be our own. We should learn from others and history, as well. Learn from Solomon and the book of Ecclesiastes so we can be spared the shame, sorrow, and regret he carried late in his life. Don't be one that has to learn the hard way, by experiencing things yourself. The consequences can be devastating and life-changing. Teach these things to your kids. Challenge them to learn from other's mistakes. Ask them to consider what kind of person they want to be. Explain what God wants for them and how to make sense of this life. Ah, I pity our youth these days. They are so susceptible to the world's draws. They need instruction and encouragement to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. They need the perspective and wisdom of Ecclesiastes. Lord, help them.
