Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 ~ consider the work of God

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14

Listen - click for new tab

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, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.

Each day I look at the Feedjit tool at the bottom of our blog to see what needs to be corrected by seeing what Google, Yahoo, Bing and Ask lead people to in their search. Yesterday was the search for, "Scriptures on seeking a job?" In human nature, if you are with a job and your family is employed, we've forgotten on a daily basis the world is hungry and the unemployment is 9%, high in the USA, and all over the world. Pray for them. Daily. (Note to self!)

Consider the phrase at the end of the readings - so that man may not find out anything that will be after him. Man likes to record winning and families like to remember winning. The Word says adversity is something also to learn from. When we seek God, we seek His wisdom.

If you are unemployed, it's all you think about. I remember from experience. It's like being in prison, and the bars hold you back.

I have a dear friend unemployed in the North Eastern part of the USA. It's terribly cold and her furnace went out. The repair people lied to her and put her off, charged her for a part they "ordered" and left her in the cold for 5 working days. (Another company fixed it in a day with local parts.) She sat down and asked why her life was such a dark comedy. She decided watching "Snowapocalypse", she remembered being the traveler in the airport, trapped in the wrong city, angry and frustrated with a complete "me" attitude - there was a Reason for this season in her life. It's part of His plan. To have her grow, in His direction.

Solomon was celebrated for his desire for Wisdom. Where? God was so pleased, God records it in His Word. Solomon said to reach out and realize, even if circumstances are not to your desire, you are still part of His Plan. You still have your two hands, put them out and ask. Ask for gratitude, ask for opportunity.

Do you still feel like the Plan of God is off-center, like a painting on the wall?

Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?

Gen. 18:14
Is anything too hard for the Lord?

The simple truth is that joblessness is adversity. The LORD did give us words about adversity:

Job 36:15
He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity.

2 Samuel 4:9
But David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life out of every adversity."

Consider David was out of job, and left his life behind, when he chose to leave Saul in God's plan. God's anointed one - David - was out of work. It was part of God's plan.

Proverbs 24:10
If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

Ecclesiastes 7:14
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other

Isaiah 30:20
And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher.


Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times,and a brother is born for adversity.

Who is your brother?

Matthew 12:50
For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.

You are not alone, find your brothers & sisters in Christ.

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

Psalm 105:1-3

1 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

Our Church occasionally forms prayer groups for people needing prayer. We start as 12 and sometimes end as 3. The prayer before God is equally heard. We just bring Scripture and for an hour, prayer is given out loud. The Scriptures do tell us when 2 or more are gathered, He is there. To be in constant prayer. Our Bible Classes and my service group - they all keep an email list handy to email each other for prayer. And I use that email list. Many Christ based Churches offer Wednesday night services. And always feel free to use the comment section below for prayer requests. God wants us to be lifted in prayer.

God can direct our needs for prayer to bring us into a real caring and sharing Christian community. People to hold hands, to love and lift our burdens to God for His redemption.




<><