Trusting God’s Way

Another reason we want to hear from God is to understand why things don’t work out the way we expect, even when we try our best to do everything right.

Like trying to be wise with finances, but feeling stretched because we don’t seem to have enough.

How about those times when we work really hard on a project and no one notices, or worse, someone else gets the credit?

Or we buy a special treat like ice cream to make the day better, but when the spoon hits the bottom of the carton, we're still feeling discouraged or depressed?

Is this it? Is this really how life works?

When you ask questions like these, you are ready for another wisdom book called Ecclesiastes. If Proverbs is the optimist—do the right things and good things will happen—Ecclesiastes is the pessimist! Do good things and you’ll get what the wicked deserve (2:14). People who work hard to save for the future die before they can enjoy it (2:21). Increase your knowledge and wisdom, and you'll experience more sorrow and grief (1:18).

On the coin of wisdom, Ecclesiastes is tails. He’s the experienced cynic who expects things not to turn out. And that’s why the author uses a special Hebrew word repeatedly, “Hevel.” Likely, you’ve seen this translated as “meaningless” or “vanity”, but the word actually means a puff of air or vapor. Picture a cloud that passes overhead, fog that you try to grab, or smoke from a fire that you try to hold in your hands. It moves quickly and disappears. You can’t grasp it. And trying to hold smoke? It's like trying to understand these questions that just don’t make sense.

So, what do we do when we experience these frustrating circumstances and unanswerable questions? Ecclesiastes says, “Fear God.” We trust he knows what’s best (8:12-13) and do our best to follow him (12:13). This doesn’t mean we have to like it! Ecclesiastes gives us permission to notice when things are just wrong. But the humility that comes with fearing God also gives us the life-giving and necessary permission to let go of our questions, doubts, and frustrations and lean into the hope that God’s ways are better.

That’s really what Ecclesiastes is about: losing hope in things like pleasure, answers, and expectations, and placing our hope in God instead. When we do, we’re fearing the Lord.

Take a minute to pray:

God, there’s so much I don’t understand, and honestly, some of it really frustrates me. I’m trying so hard to do the right thing, obey you, and follow you, and yet life is hard. Really hard! Specifically, I’m frustrated by [insert things that frustrate you or that you don’t understand]. Please help me trust that you are in control and working all things out for your glory, the good of the world, and my good. And help me lose hope in anything that would keep me from placing all my hope in you. Amen.