In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he has made crooked?”, and in chapter seven and verse fourteen of his book Solomon said, “in the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider” where we read,
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider:
God also has set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
The verse reads, “In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider:” Solomon began with the words, “in the day of prosperity” or “in the time period and season pertaining to good, pleasantness, agreeableness and excellence” “be joyful” which means “exist as good, pleasant, agreeable and excellent”, “but in the day of adversity” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover within the time period or season pertaining to bad, disagreeableness, malignancy and wickedness” “consider” which means “look, inspect, perceive, regard and discern”. Solomon encouraged his reader to exist in a good and pleasant manner when good and pleasant times come, however, when bad and evil times arise, inspect, regard and discern.
The verse continues, “God also has set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.” Solomon added the words, “God also” or “the Supreme Deity even so and indeed” “has set the one” which means “has fashioned, accomplished and produced the one manner” “over against the other” or “juxtaposed, alongside and corresponding to the the other manner”, “to the end” which means “toward the conclusion and finality” “that man should find nothing after him” or “that man, people both male and female, ought to secure, acquire, get and encounter not one thing following him, that person”. Solomon said Jehovah God even so and indeed juxtaposed prosperity alongside adversity so a person ought not discover one thing following that person.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how God is ultimately responsible for the “prosperity and adversity” that comes into a person’s life, and we are able to choose how we will respond to each of them. Good things happen, and bad things happen, but God Almighty will be with us when we receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we submit ourselves to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and teach us the way we are to be when “prosperity” or “adversity” appears.
Next time Solomon says, “all things have I seen in the days of my vanity”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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