Read Ecclesiastes 4:13-16
Was Solomon speaking from experience here? Did he see himself as that wise youth who grew into a foolish king? If we look at Solomon’s life, that might appear to be the case. You may recall that God came to Solomon in a dream as a young king. 1 Kings 3:5 says, “That night the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, ‘What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!’”
At that time, we know that Solomon loved the Lord, but already he was offering sacrifices to the local gods. Yet God still asked the question. Solomon’s response was as follows: “Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:7-9) Solomon’s wisdom was a gift from God.
Solomon may also have been pulling parallels from the story of Joseph, son of Jacob. He spent time in prison. He was extremely popular. These situations were both temporary. No matter what Solomon may have been referring to, we know he was troubled by the human condition and how fleeting one’s achievements and fame can be.
This passage may seem a bit obscure. Perhaps what it is teaching us is that power and popularity can wax and wane, and we should be realistic in our expectations in life. What was your take-away?
People can be unpredictable in their allegiance. Solomon was seeing that from a kingly perspective, but what about from God’s perspective? How many people do you know that have stopped attending church because of something that happened? Maybe they have been hurt by fellow church members in some way. Sometimes they rebel when their sin is exposed. Sometimes they see hypocrisy or some other human response that troubles them.
No matter what, God never changes. He loves us. He desires our devotion. He provides and protects. He expects our obedience. He sent Jesus to rescue us from our sinful tendencies. Yet, we still fall back into the same bad habits that have been plaguing God’s people since time began. Remember Eve’s temptation in the garden?
Our time on this planet is temporary. We have only a short time to make a difference in this world. What is the mission God has assigned you to complete? Keep in mind that your own popularity and power are temporary. You will more than likely need to tap into God’s power for your mission to be a success. God will always equip us for the work he wants us to complete.
I’m seeing that play out in my own life. When we moved to Mexico, I looked forward to the day when I could work with Mexican children like I had with American kids for years. I kept telling God that my Spanish wasn’t good enough. Then an orphanage of Mexican girls moved in next door. Now all I can say is “Thank you God for equipping me to do your will!”
Our time on earth is temporary. It’s time to get to work on your mission. How are you tapping into God’s power, the power that is forever?
Let’s pray. Father God, thank you for giving me the power I need for each day. I know that when I try to do things on my own power, I can’t sustain my momentum. Forgive me for missing out on opportunities you have placed in my path. I want to be mindful of how I can make a difference in the lives of others around me. Shine brightly in my life so that people can recognize you in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
