MAY 21

Ecclesiastes 7:7-10
Memorise Ecclesiastes 7:8
“the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit”

The next set of counsel that Solomon gives, is concerning our patience with regards to the things that happen in the world. In verse 7 he first speaks of oppression and bribery, and how that can cause distress and corruption even to a wise man. We realise that such things do happen in the affairs of men. The question then is, how do we react to them?

The perspective that Solomon puts forth, is that we are to be patient in spirit, and quietly wait for the end of the matter, and not hastily jump to angry conclusions, nor to question God in the process, for that is how the proud in spirit would react. Rather we understand that the end of things is always better than the beginning, for at the end of a matter we would have the wisdom of a retrospective view on the incident, and then we would be able to see and understand the hand of God in the whole thing. Pride on the other hand would often be hasty to react with anger and indignation, for a proud man imagines himself to be the most important, and expects all things to suit his purposes and his needs. He will also be one that will be quick to look back at the former days (like those who always like to reminisce about the ‘good ol’ days) and declare that those were better, and then question God on why the present is as such. It is not wise to make such comparisons, for the wise will know that God is always sovereignly in control, and all things happen according to His perfect providential plan. If all things are ordained by God, how can we say one was better than the other? Rather we are to patiently and wisely inquire into the matter, wait upon the Lord, and seek his will.

Conventional wisdom may say that patience is a virtue that only comes with age and experience. However, as teens and youths, we too can cultivate this important spirit of patience. This can come when we meditate on God’s Word, and learn to view the world through the eyes of God, and not through the lenses of our own prideful impatience. We have to constantly remind ourselves that God is in control of all things, and we are to simply wait upon the Lord, knowing that He will always do what is best!

Thought: Just because I am young, doesn’t mean I cannot learn to be patient!
Prayer: Lord, may You teach me to be patient in spirit, and to humbly wait upon Thee.