Keep Me Guessing

In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him. Ecclesiastes 7:14

God keeps us guessing.

I had to read this passage in a few translations because I didn’t really get the last part “so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.”

The Message version says:

On a good day, enjoy yourself;
On a bad day, examine your conscience.
God arranges for both kinds of days
So that we won’t take anything for granted. Ecclesiastes 7:14

The Complete Jewish Bible says:

When things are going well, enjoy yourself;
but when things are going badly, consider
that God made the one alongside the other,
so that people would learn no thing of their futures. Ecclesiastes 7:14

The New International Version says:

When times are good, be happy;
    but when times are bad, consider this:
God has made the one
    as well as the other.
Therefore, no one can discover
    anything about their future. Ecclesiastes 7:14

The Contemporary English Version says:

When times are good,
    you should be cheerful;
when times are bad,
    think about what it means.
God makes them both
to keep us from knowing
    what will happen next. Ecclesiastes 7:14

God has asked us to keep our faith in Him, to trust Him in both good and bad times. If we believe in prosperity, there is a tendency to lean on that instead of God. If we get too focused on times of lack and there is adversity, we may become discouraged in our walk wondering where God is. So we experience both knowing that God is with us in both.

He is still our provider in provision and still our defender in adversity. We don’t see the future so we can keep our eyes on Him, so we can depend on Him and not ourselves. He keeps us guessing so can trust His will and take care of us regardless of what we face.

I have walked in times of adversity in my life. I have been homeless, I have been bankrupt and had a home foreclosed on. Times were tough, but God saw us through. I have had times of prosperity where I wasn’t concerned about making ends meet or giving to others. God was there for me in those times too. I know regardless of what comes my way, God is there. He is my provider despite what I do for a living. He is my protector and shelter.

Lord thank You for Your faithfulness and that I can trust You regardless of what I face. Thank You for Your hand upon my life in adversity and in prosperity. I keep my eyes on You. In Jesus name Amen