Wed., 4/20/16 Devotion (Eccl. 7:14a, b)

Today's encouragement comes from Ecclesiastes 7:14a & b, where we read these words:

"In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: surely God has appointed the one as well as the other . . . "

This is good counsel (above) from the "Preacher" (Solomon). We all naturally want good things to come our way, and to happen to us; but it takes real faith and maturity to understand that "bad" things also come from the *same* Fa-therly hand of our loving God in heaven.

This is not to suggest that we should be "happy" about bad things happening to us—because that would be misguided. But we may take comfort in know-ing that nothing comes our way that does not ultimately originate from God's perfect will and intentions toward us (who are truly in Christ and His church).

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is a holy state of soul to be under the power of nothing beneath itself.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]