The Story:The experiences of life are really no different for those who live “under the heavens” and those who live “under the sun.” Everybody knows and experiences love and hatred; everyone is involved in various kinds of works. The difference lies in one’s perspective. No one can know what a day might bring, whether good or evil, love or hate, joy or tragedy. But the righteous man – the wise man – knows that, come what may, his life is in the hand of a loving, caring, all-powerful God, who knows the end from the beginning and does all things well. The wise man, therefore, is unaffected by changing circumstances; he trusts in God and follows Him no matter what. The wicked and unclean, those who do not sacrifice to God or vow to Him – they all are also in the hand of God – “all things come alike” to them, except that they don’t have a large enough perspective on life to be able to rest in the goodness and sovereignty of God. When adversity arises, they will scramble to secure whatever high ground of happiness they think might give them peace. But “under the heavens” is the way to a life of peace, contentment, hope, and joy, even in the midst of adversity. And if there is one thing Rehoboam must surely know, any ruler of is bound to face adversity, uncertainty, and threats to his and his nation’s wellbeing. Only by considering in his heart that he and his kingdom are in the hand of God can he expect to know the peace and confidence that God works all things together for good for the righteous and wise.

The Structure:This is the great strength of the Christian faith in an age of uncertainty. Peter says that the hope in which we live, grounded as it is in the glory and promises of God (Rom. 5.1, 2; Rom. 8.28), enables us to exude confidence, contentment, joy, and peace to people who are tossed and dashed by every changing circumstance. When they see our peace, which we have in the hand of God, they will surely ask a reason for the hope that is within us. Believers must make it their business to cultivate a life of witness so that their words of witness will have maximum power. Our message to this age is simple, as the bumper sticker says: “No Jesus? No peace. Know Jesus? Know peace.”

What opportunities do you have at present for letting the people around you see the hope you have in Christ, the joy and peace you know in the hand of God?

Each week’s studies in our Scriptorium column are available in a free PDF form, suitable for personal or group use. For this week’s study, “This Way to Happiness: Ecclesiastes 9,” simply click here.

T. M. Moore

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.