June 10 – Reading 161

june 10 – Reading 161

by John Pra | June 10

“WISDOM IS BETTER”
(Ecclesiastes 7:1—9:18)

Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. – Ecclesiastes 9:11, 16-18

Near the end of Solomon’s life, a king who was bestowed with great wisdom from God yet unraveled in his own life, he wrote a kind of journal based on his experiences and observations. Ecclesiastes is that book. One of the major themes the wise king threads for us is that life is brief and unpredictable, full of unexpected twists and turns. Truthfully, most of us have that figured out on our own. What most of us don’t have figured out is how to navigate life’s unpredictables.

Solomon gives five illustrations:

1. The swift win the race, but don’t bet on it. 
2. The strong win the battle, but sometimes not. 
3. The wise don’t go hungry, most days. 
4. Intelligent people make all the money, except for the homeless honor student or the millionaire dropout. 
5. And those with knowledge are favored, if you don’t count all the smart people behind bars. There are exceptions to every rule. The only certainty in life is that nothing is certain.

The point of today’s text is that wise people live in the light of life’s uncertainties. Wisdom – God-given wisdom – makes the difference between unlikely victory and likely defeat. Wisdom can deliver us from sudden crises and save us from certain disasters if we apply it rightly. Seek wisdom. Listen to wisdom. Act in wisdom.

Application:

• Pursue Godly wisdom over worldly success.
  Recognize that speed, strength, and intelligence do not guarantee success. Commit to seeking wisdom through prayer and studying scripture.

• Listen to the voices of wisdom.
  Pay attention to those who speak truth with humility. Seek out thoughtful, wise counsel.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of wisdom that guides us through uncertain times. Help us to value and seek Your wisdom above all else. Give us discernment to navigate life’s challenges with faith and courage and may our testimonies of Your grace influence others positively and bring glory to Your name. Amen.