Walking in Wisdom

Life happens, and it gives no guarantees.

Bad things, from our human perspective, attack those who try to do good. Sometimes, evil seems to prosper. Righteous people can die young, and the evilest among us may thrive well into old age. Both poverty and riches are fleeting, and we can take nothing of this life with us to the grave.

Solomon expounds these puzzles throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, and speaking from the perspective of mankind concludes that all is vanity, senseless, useless. Not a hopeful message.

However, sprinkled throughout this book of Solomon’s writings, that at first glance seems to offer little hope, are nuggets of wisdom that speak to God’s sovereignty and His dealings among mankind. When we gather these truths, we find guidance for living, hope for the day, and purpose for our walk, for God has not forsaken His people.

Here are a few to check out:

• What God gives is good (Ecclesiastes 2:26).

• Our lives are comprised of seasons that both contradict and compliment each other. There is a time for all that must be accomplished (Ecclesiastes 3:1 – 8).

• God makes things beautiful. Our hearts are set in this world, so we can not fully understand God’s working (Ecclesiastes 3:9).

• Enjoying the blessings of this life is a gift from God, and there are always blessings (Ecclesiastes 2:24, 3:10, 5:18).

• We need each other (Ecclesiastes 4:10 – 11).

• Sometimes we need to be quiet and listen to God (Ecclesiastes 5:1 – 2).

• Fear God. He is worthy of our honored respect (Ecclesiastes 5:7, 8:12).

• God gives joy in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 5:20).

• Anger is for fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9).

• We are all sinners (Ecclesiastes 7:20).

• Wisdom gives beauty to the beholder (Ecclesiastes 8:1).

• Our times are in God’s hand (Ecclesiastes 9:1).

• Our job is to our own work with diligence (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

• The race is not to the swift. We will not excel through our own strength (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

• Wisdom is better than strength or weapons (Ecclesiastes 9:16, 18).

• It doesn’t take much to ruin a reputation (Ecclesiastes 10:1).

• A person’s worth is not determined or evidenced by their status in this life (Ecclesiastes 10:6 – 7).

• Wise men speak graciously (Ecclesiastes 10:12).

• Life holds times of both light and dark. Remember the lessons learned in the dark. (Ecclesiastes 11:8).

• At the end, there is God (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

• Sometimes truth hurts (Ecclesiastes 12:11).

And, finally, –

• “Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Perhaps you can find more as you read through this book of wisdom. Like Solomon, we often read or quote God’s wisdom without living it. May today be a day of living in God’s wisdom.

II Timothy 3: ¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Photo – End of Day, Beth Mims