Session 14

Life is not fair

From Ecclesiastes: A 20-Day Devotional

“There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve” (Ecclesiastes 8:14).

The world is full of crimes that never get solved and corrupt politicians and businessmen who have climbed to power. Christian persecution is rising, and godly men and women often go unnoticed. The unrighteous appear to prosper, while people who follow God are persecuted.

Solomon also saw this happen during his lifetime. When we see the “wicked” succeed, it can be tempting to believe that life would be better apart from God. This is a lie. In Ecclesiastes 8:12, Solomon warns us saying, “Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him.”

As Christians, we know we have so much more to live for than the here and now. Our lives on Earth are a blip on the timeline of eternity. When we look at our lives through that long-term perspective, we realize that doing whatever it takes to get ahead in this life is just as Solomon described—meaningless.

A relationship with Jesus is worth far more than any temporary prosperity. 

Christians will not always have immediate reward for following Jesus, nor will people receive immediate judgment for walking away from Him. But despite what hardship we may endure, a relationship with Jesus is worth far more than any temporary prosperity.

Reflect:

• Is there any area of your life that you have believed the lie that it would be better apart from God? Why?
• In what way has following God in another area been for your good?
• What step do you need to take to begin having a long-term perspective when it comes to your daily decisions in following Jesus?