Devotion • June 9
Today's Scripture
Ecclesiastes 7:1–14
A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death, than the day of birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting; for this is the end of everyone, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of fools; this also is vanity.
Surely oppression makes the wise foolish, and a bribe corrupts the heart. Better is the end of a thing than its beginning; the patient in spirit are better than the proud in spirit. Do not be quick to anger, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools. Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun. For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to the one who possesses it. Consider the work of God; who can make straight what he has made crooked? 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 mortals may not find out anything that will come after them. (NRSV)
Reflection
“With age comes wisdom” is an often-quoted phrase. But the whole quote, from Oscar Wilde, is actually "With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone."
Solomon’s eleven lessons on wisdom are clear reminders of how life with God works and are applicable to each of us, at any age. He challenges us and makes us ponder. His pearls of wisdom are a call to be awake and focus.
7:1 – “A good name is better than precious ointment.”
Seek to do the right thing every day.
7:9 – “Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”
Be and do good — go forth with thanks using the gifts God has given you.
7:10 – “Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.”
Look ahead. Consider why and for what you are living.
7:12 – “Wisdom gives life to those who possess it.”
Wisdom does not guarantee the absence of hardship, but it does assure a path through the hardships.
7:14 – “In the days of prosperity, be joyful, and in the day of adversity, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.”
God is with us in good and in bad times — we need to be wise enough to trust God, the source of true wisdom.
May we heed Solomon’s challenge to live our lives by the ways of the wise, for we know Jesus Christ leads us with perfect wisdom.
Prayer
Spirit of the Living God, descend on me today. I do not know what is ahead, but I do know your steadfast love is guiding me. You strengthen my soul and support me in the trials and tribulations of life. Give me the wisdom to know what I can do and say in the ministry of your love, so that that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Written by Marc Miller, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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