Today's Verse
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.
~Ecclesiastes 7:14 NIVThoughts on today's verse...
Today's verse has some very profound implications. It would be so much easier to think that only the good things happen to those who are believers and the bad things happen to those who reject God. Some people will even tell us that the reason we are sick or have an illness is because we have unconfessed sin in our lives. (I'm not sure, but I think these persons may be related to Job's friends!)
The above verse makes it very clear that God has made one as well as the other. Now why would that be? Perhaps it's because we, with our little finite minds wouldn't be able to appreciate and enjoy the good times without having experienced the bad times. (Vinegar and sugar, Marcy?) And then again, are we able to praise God for even the "bad" things in our lives? One of my blogging friends, Diana, said that she has problems praying when times are bad. I have the very same problem. When the difficulties come, I tend to retreat, to hide. I find I can't pray and I can't read the bible. That is when music - praise and worship music reaches me in the depth of my despair. One such song is "I Will Sing" by Don Moen. And have you ever noticed that some praise and worship music are simply prayers set to music?
Even older hymns like "It Is Well With My Soul" written by Horatio Spafford are prayers of praise. If you don't know the history behind this hymn, I encourage you to do a little Internet research. It was written out of extreme loss and suffering. (I've even changed the music to these two songs, may they minister to your souls.)
I am still striving to learn the principle that God allows the "bad" things in our lives so that others may see the manner in which we handle them. Otherwise, how will they know the difference in the way believers handle unpleasant circumstances verses the unbelieving?
My prayer...
My Lord and my God, when the bad things, the unpleasant circumstances come my way, may my words, my behaviors, and my actions reflect You. May I seek to praise You in spite of the circumstance.
Yours, because we're His,
Tamara
Another wonderful verse, explanation and prayers Tamara, your post are so uplifting and I thank you for that. I would enjoy a visit from you, I noticed you mention our blogger friend Diana, she is a sweetie and one that is so funny and uplifting as well. Do stop by my friend....:-) Hugs
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts! Great prayer! Great post!
ReplyDeleteI don't have trouble praying when times are bad, but the prayer goes more like this, "God, what's up with this situation now?! I know in Your Wisdom you think I can handle it, but please stop giving me so much credit!" And then my prayer eventually works it way to, "Okay, if You say so. If You Have Faith that I can handle this, then I guess I can, please help me not to let You down. Amen."