Sidenote: Far be it for a pastor to write a swear word, but I ask for your leniency here so I may make my point. Besides, what is ungodly swearing except to take the Lord’s name in vain? Do we let this world who curses God decide that “sh*t” is more offensive than what’s articulated in Exodus 20:7? I digress. Please don’t write to me suggesting I read the likes of Ephesians 5:3-4 - I’m addressing a real issue by name here.
Ok, back to my point. Sh*t happens. What does this mean? Well, as I understand, it means that we aren’t in control over the things that happen to us. It usually carries a negative connotation. The implication is that while we would prefer not to have to deal with unfavorable circumstances, as Christians we must learn to do so.
Wisdom allows us to cope with life, as it happens, and in ways that bring glory to God.
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
- Romans 12:17-18
Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, was the wisest man of his time (1 Kings 4:29-30). He clearly understood, and then taught, that wisdom is the gift God gives which enables us to overcome any circumstance, by God’s standards. It’s very likely that he wrote the following:
Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her [Wisdom], and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.
Do not forsake her [Wisdom], and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.
- Proverbs 4:5-8
Wisdom is depicted in the Bible as having protective qualities. When else is that more applicable than when you’re hit with hard times? In other words, when push comes to shove, where’s the best place to seek a remedy? According to the wisest man of his time, it’s in God’s Word (that’s where you “Get wisdom” – v5).
That’s all fine and dandy, but what does this mean, practically speaking? What does Solomon have to say about life and how we are to perceive the apparent cruelness of it?
Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.
I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
- Ecclesiastes 9:11-18
I encourage you to spend some real time absorbing this passage of Holy Scripture. It’s a revelation to the one who seeks wisdom. While Solomon didn’t write “sh*t happens”, he wrote an ancient analog (with a lot more tact and class, of course), “but time and chance happen to them all” (v11). He described evil times as falling upon the unsuspecting (v12). That pretty much sums up our contemporary slang saying (I won’t write it again).
Now suppose you stopped reading at v12. You might be inclined to think that wisdom has some magical ability to make all things right in this world. Solomon squashed that thought in v13-18 where he speaks of the power of wisdom to deliver a city, even, but eventually its good deeds are overshadowed and, ultimately, dismissed by the evil in this world.
We mustn’t look at godly wisdom like a panacea for all the world’s problems. It isn’t. While it may reveal itself in myriad good ways (as through the “poor, wise man” - v15), it isn’t the cure for evil, only an ointment to be applied to the wounds this evil world inflicts upon us.
In light of biblical wisdom, we understand that life is a delicate balance of experience and applied wisdom. While we can neither explain nor control the evil that befalls us, we can understand its origins and how to respond in ways that keep us from stumbling. In doing so, God is glorified.
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
- Jude 1:24-25
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins
