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By T. M. Moore|Published Date: December 21, 2009
Ecclesiastes 9:1, 2
1But all this I laid to heart, examining all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love of hate, man does not know; both are before him. 2It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath.
The Story: The experiences of life are really no different for those who live “under the heavens” and those who live “under the sun.” Where the difference lies is in perspective and perception. No one can know what a day might bring, whether good or evil, love or hate, joy or tragedy. But the righteous man – the wise man – knows that, come what may, his life is in the hand of a loving, caring, all-powerful God, who knows the end from the beginning and does all things well. The wise man, therefore, is unaffected by changing circumstances; he trusts in God and follows Him no matter what. This is the way to a life of peace, contentment, hope, and joy, even in the midst of adversity. And if there is one thing Rehoboam must surely know, any ruler of is bound to face adversity, uncertainty, and threats to his and his nation’s wellbeing.
The Structure: This is the great strength of the Christian faith in an age of uncertainty. Peter says that the hope in which we live, grounded as it is in the glory and promises of God (Rom. 5:1, 2; Rom. 8:28), enables us to exude confidence, contentment, joy, and peace to people who are tossed and dashed by every changing circumstance. When they see our peace, which we have in the hand of God, they will surely ask a reason for the hope that is within us. Believers must make it their business to cultivate a life of witness so that their words of witness will have maximum power. Our message to this age is simple, as the bumper sticker says: “No Jesus? No peace. Know Jesus? Know peace.
What opportunities do you have at present for letting the people around you see the hope you have in Christ, the joy and peace you know in the hand of God?
The Worldview Bible examines the teaching of Scripture according to the Story and Structure of Truth – the Framework of Christian Worldview – using only other Scriptures for illumination. Information about The Framework of Truth is available on this site. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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