Ecclesiastes
Surely extortion makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the heart. The end of a matter is better than its beginning; patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit. Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools. Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this. Ecclesiastes 7:7-10 (Author Translation)
"How's it going?" – “Well, it could be better.” This is the answer of the haughty, who think that they know better than God how things should be going. So, when finances are not what they are expecting, they resort to sin. Some turn to extortion, forcing the weak to give them money. Some use bribery to get things their way. In both instances, they use sin to get what God hasn’t given them.
Deeper than dissatisfaction is the fact that these arrogant people are mad at God, the Giver of all good gifts. “Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools.” God is the Source of the greatest gift of all: His Son and, through Him, our redemption. To get angry at this Savior-God is utter foolishness.
Rather than smoldering over a perceived slight from the hand of God, rather than getting angry over what you don’t have, meditate on what you DO have. For “the end of a matter is better than its beginning; patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.” Be patient, dear Christian. Better things are coming. MUCH BETTER things. The eternal riches of heaven will soon be yours. So, “do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’” Don’t long for “the good, old days.” Rather, long for “the good, new day.”
“It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” (Lamentations 3:26)
O Lord, help us to look for the good, new day, the day of eternal joy and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.