Daily Devotional

A Ministry of the Kerwin Baptist Church

July 27, 2018

by Pastor Hawtree

I AM PERSUADED THAT HE IS ABLE:

TO USE THE PROSPERITY AND ADVERSITY

Ecclesiastes 7:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other…..

I love “days of prosperity”, don’t you? Who doesn’t? It is wonderful when things seem to work out right, when we find blessings around every corner, when we all get good reports at the doctor, and when all our plans seem to fall into place. Even God tells us to enjoy these kinds of days. We should be thankful when good things come our way. We should appreciate every blessing that God sends our way. If you get a raise at work, enjoy it, and thank God for it. If you receive an unexpected Christmas bonus, let God know how thankful you are and enjoy it. If you are able to purchase a home, or get a new car, be happy about it and give God the praise.

Unfortunately, we sometimes always find a negative in there somewhere. Despite all the blessings, we still have negative outlooks. We say things like, “yes it was good that this happened, but I doubt it will last long”. Or we will say, “it is about time something good finally happened to me”. We can be so cynical sometimes. God said to enjoy days of prosperity, not find a negative somehow in it.

Then we come to the dreaded “days of adversity”. We have all had those. These are the days where it seems you are trying to get a square peg in a round hole. Where it seems that everything has come against you. While God says to enjoy the “day of prosperity”, He does not say to hate the “day of adversity”. God says to “consider” during the days of adversity. God says to stop and think things through. Do not be rash with your words, or negative with your attitude. Do not be too quick to feel victimized, or even agitated with the circumstances that God has seemed to send your way. Stop, and “consider”.

* Proverbs 14:29 ….he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
* Proverbs 21:5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
* Ecclesiastes 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God:

Our verse says that “God also hath set the one over against the other”. If all we had were days of prosperity we would be spoiled brats. If all we had were days of adversity, we would be broken and useless. God uses both in our life. If you are in days of “prosperity”, enjoy it my friend and thank God for it. If you are in the opposite today, do not be too hasty. Stop and “consider” that God is using it for your good.