8 The end of a matter is better than the beginning,
and a patient spirit is better than a proud one.

9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
for anger settles in the lap of a fool.
10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”
For it is unwise of you to ask about this.

11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good,
and it benefits those who see the sun.
12 For wisdom, like money, is a shelter,
and the advantage of knowledge
is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

13 Consider the work of God:
Who can straighten what He has bent?
14 In the day of prosperity, be joyful,
but in the day of adversity, consider this:
God has made one of these along with the other,
so that a man cannot discover
anything that will come after him.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Gus Cameron

A lot of the stress in my life comes when I feel like I can’t control the future. One of the big differences between us and God is that he controls the future and we don’t. Verses 8 and 9 describe two ways we ought to respond to our lack of control: with patience and without anger. Patience seems more obvious – when things aren’t going the way I want them to, I need to patiently trust that God will look after me and my family. But we’re also warned not to be angry too quickly, which makes sense when we realise that our angry outbursts are often a response to us feeling out of control. When I’ve raised my voice with my kids, it’s usually because I’m frustrated that I can’t make them do what I want them to do.

What’s the answer? Wisdom! The wisdom to realise that God is in control and we are not, and that’s ok! Verse 13 asks: “Consider the work of God: Who can straighten what He has bent?” If God chooses to do something, we cannot change what he has done – and that’s ok because we know that God’s plans for us are good.

This section finishes by reminding us that we don’t know the future like God does. But God has given us a sneak peek into the future. He has shown us that in Christ Jesus we have a wonderful future with him. True wisdom is knowing that we are safe and secure in Jesus. It is resisting the pride of believing we can change our destiny, and waiting patiently for his return.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gus is our Senior Assisant Minister.