Ecclesiastes 11-12

Rachel Workman: ¹¹ I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.

Chance? I don't think so. I think God uses all things including the non success of someone who has lined themselves up to be successful. Life isn't fair. We don't always get the things we think he deserve. And yet we get the things we don't deserve. I deserve death and yet I have grace instead. Amazing. 

¹² People can never predict when hard times might come. Like fish in a net or birds in a trap, people are caught by sudden tragedy.

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John Burnett:  ¹⁰ Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.  Verse 10 proves that Solomon is writing this to unbelievers because of where they are going.  Nike had to paraphrase this verse to come up with their slogan, “Just do it.”

¹¹ I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all. ¹² Moreover, man does not know his time: like fish caught in a treacherous net and birds trapped in a snare, so the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it suddenly falls on them.  The torment of hell will be worse for the rich man has it all taken away when time and chance overtakes them.  Those who know that God has providential will knows that time and chance have nothing to do with anything.  It is all up to God’s will.

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Tomorrow’s reading for Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

¹³ Here is another bit of wisdom that has impressed me as I have watched the way our world works. ¹⁴ There was a small town with only a few people, and a great king came with his army and besieged it. ¹⁵ A poor, wise man knew how to save the town, and so it was rescued. But afterward no one thought to thank him. ¹⁶ So even though wisdom is better than strength, those who are wise will be despised if they are poor. What they say will not be appreciated for long.

¹⁷ Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person
    than the shouts of a foolish king.
¹⁸ Better to have wisdom than weapons of war,
    but one sinner can destroy much that is good.