A Test of Faith: Ecclesiastes 8

Sometimes reading through the Wisdom books of the Old Testament can be challenging because the author seems to jump from one topic to the next, and we're left wondering how on earth those topics go together (if they even do). In Ecclesiastes, Solomon writes his final words of wisdom to his son before he dies. This book could almost be read like a modern memoir; Solomon reflects on his life, what he's learned, and tries to desperately help his son to be better than him. I read chapter eight and was struck with how applicable the advice is for us today.

Solomon told his son that a wise person knows what to say and how to say it and even when to say it to authority without being disrespectful. God put them in a position of power for a reason.

Then it continues to say that man is finite and can't understand God. So sometimes all we see is evil triumphing or avoiding punishment. And it makes us question those leaders or tempts us to disrespect them. But we have to believe that God is in control. It truly is a test of faith.

And I love the end of the chapter especially because Solomon acknowledges that being too invested in the evil that's happening just makes you a sad or angry or anxious person. It's actually healthier to still live your life, to eat and drink and be merry with your family and friends, despite all the evil around you.

His closing advice: Don't let the evil of this world consume you, because at the end of the day, only God knows. And we aren’t God, so we’ll never know or understand it all while on this earth.

Eccl 8:17 ~ “Then I beheld the world of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it...”

There are some terrible things happening in our world today. Let's not try to deny it. Sometimes, I think Christians are too quick to deny it or ignore it. And while they may say that they're trying to just trust God, I wonder how many are actually just afraid and unwilling to accept it as truth. While it may be difficult, it is possible to truthfully see and accept all the evil that's happening without it consuming you and dictating your emotions (and therefore, your actions). Trusting in the Lord doesn't mean ignoring the problem. It means facing the problem but still choosing to live life to the fullest with joy.

It is possible to enjoy life even when so much evil exists in the world. THAT is evidence of a believer truly trusting that God is in control.