Ecclesiastes Series
I applied my heart to know, to search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things, to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness… Truly, this only I have found: that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. Ecclesiates 7:25-29
Why is the world in such a mess? Why are nations at war? Why is there violence on our city streets? Why are mothers killing their babies? Why are so-called "good citizens" taking advantage of the poor and weak? Why are adultery, fornication, and divorce running rampant? Why isn't God doing anything to stop this?
In Solomon's continuing attempt to evaluate things like this, he found that it was too deep for him and for us. He searched for wisdom and purpose. He examined the wickedness and madness of foolishness. He wanted to discover why things happen in the world.
In the end, he found this: "God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes." It was a sad conclusion to know that man has gotten himself into a mess through his evil scheming. In the beginning, man was made upright, but since the fall into sin, he continually ruins things with wickedness. Sin has turned human beings into fools. Fools refuse to examine the deadly nature of their sins.
It isn’t God’s fault that the world is so evil and chaotic. He made man upright. It is man’s fault. It is because man has been scheming, plotting, and planning wickedness throughout the centuries.
Are we innocent? How often we come to the mercy seat and confess that we have been guilty of looking for clever ways to circumvent the ways of the Lord. And, what is His response? “Be of good cheer. Your sins are forgiven.” Praise God that, while we were planning evil, He was planning good. That plan finds its completion in Jesus Christ, who never schemed to do evil and whose perfect righteousness has been credited to us.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Amen. (Psalm 139:23)