Ecclesiastes
I returned and saw under the sun that – the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all. For man also does not know his time: like fish taken in a cruel net, like birds caught in a snare, so the sons of men are snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them. Ecclesiastes 9:11-12
Are we just victims of irrational forces: forces in nature, random illnesses, mechanical failures, etc.? Do these things come upon us merely by chance? This is the way it seems “under the sun,” that is, here on earth. A modern idiom puts it this way: “Stuff happens.” On this side of the sun, there appears to be no unwavering cause and effect. Strength does not guarantee victory. Understanding does not add up to riches. Having “know-how” doesn’t mean that you will solve every problem.
Based on the idiom, “stuff happens,” the world has come up with the theory of evolution. Our translation seems to agree: “Time and chance happen to them all.” However, a better translation would be “time and events happen to them all.” As Solomon said earlier: “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” (3:1)
Christians analyze times and events in the light of God’s Word and realize that we “do not know the works of God who makes everything” (Eccl. 11:5). But, we do know God has appointed the day of prosperity and the day of adversity (7:14). In the light of His Word, we learn that the greatest of these is the truth that God controlled time and events to bring about the birth of our Savior and, then, to bring about our rebirth through our Savior.
Heavenly Father, “my times are in Your hand” (Psalm 31:15). Help me to be at peace, content in the knowledge that You are the One who governs all times and events for my eternal good. Hear me for Jesus’ sake. Amen.