Often people believe they understand God's Ways and Thoughts

 

Ecclesiastic 8:14-17

 

Man Cannot Know God's Ways

There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.   And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.

When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one's eyes see sleep, then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However, much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.

 

I’ve come to have a great appreciation for the writing of Solomon, and especially for a time such as this, where it seems evil people are getting by with crimes and that in our nation people are not able to share a different view on a matter, still, have respect for the other.  We see evil men honor, a group in our government that is paying no attention to the authority God has put over them and ignoring the authority out of hate and fear of the man.  It seems as once more we are repeating history, our foundation is being attacked.  

 

And what insight does Solomon offer; to find joy, not to allow what seems like a disaster to steal your joy.  ^“And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.”

 

Now the real question is what brings joy to your life, my hope is your relationship with Jesus Christ, and knowing that God loves you for the Bible tells you so.  Also, I hope you find joy in your family, and your only desire for each member is that they learn God loves them and is very fond of them.  I also pray you​ will​ find joy in your work for God has designed you in such a way to do so.  And last that you share the hope you have in your Creator and Redeemer, and all that Jesus Christ has done for you.

 

From the fall of man, they have tried to understand the ways of God, and why he allows evil to seem to do so well in some people's lives.  God has made very clear in Isaiah 55:8,9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, ”declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice