Same Stuff, Different Day

Good Morning!! The longer we live, the more pain, cruelty, and unfairness that we see. "I saw the tears of the oppressed—and they have no comforter" (4:1). Oppression comes via poverty, violence, illness, corruption, disability, and natural disaster,...often compounded by injustice (8:9-10). Like Solomon said; there really is nothing new under the sun.

But better than both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.—Ecclesiastes 4:3 (NIV)

How can life make sense given the existent of undeserved, random suffering? Solomon responds with: "eat, drink and be glad" (8:15). This is part of a well-known saying, used to introduce his disillusionment with pleasures. In its actual context, it is a reminder to appreciate life's good things,...even when experiencing the bad. Another way of dealing with suffering is to comfort, and heal each other,...and trust God to eventually make all things right.

The evils you see today are not new,...and neither is the right way to face them.

"Study the Bible to be wise;
believe it to be safe;
practice it to be holy."

(DAILY BREAD, Nov. 17, 2006)

"There may be times when we're not so sure of where God is,
...but we can be confident that He always knows where we are."