LIFE IS UNPREDICTABLE

LIFE IS UNPREDICTABLE!

Eccl 9:11

11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

           Our abilities are no guarantee of success! Solomon had observed that the fastest runners do not always win the race. They may stumble and lose to a slower, more patient runner. We have all heard the story of the tortoise and the hare. The rapid rabbit was so confident in himself that he literally ran rings around the lumbering turtle. In doing this he wearied himself and decided to take a nap. The tortoise kept up his slow and steady pace and edged out the hare at the finish line.

           Solomon must have remembered the success of his own father, David, against the almost ten foot tall Goliath. Natural abilities and strength do not always win battles. “Men of skill” do not necessarily have the advantage.

           The idea of “time and chance” is actually a reference to the rule of God in the affairs of men. Adam Clarke, in his commentary, said that “All things are under the government and disposal of God.” The smooth stone exited young David’s sling and was guided upon its path to the most vulnerable part of Goliath’s head which was soon removed by a much smaller and weaker David.

           I am a plodder! I try to run my race as a marathon instead of a dash or sprint. I’m not particularly strong or talented so I rely upon God to bring about His will and purposes in my life. I run to win but my strength is in the Lord.

Heb 12:1-2

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Lord, help me to keep on running, jogging, or crawling if necessary toward the goal. AMEN