How often do we find ourselves wishing we could go back to the “good old days” instead of trusting God with the season we are in today?
Key Verse:
“In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider—God has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything that will be after him.” —Ecclesiastes 7:14 NASB
Background Context:
In Ecclesiastes 7:1–6, Solomon taught that wisdom is often gained through difficulty and sorrow rather than comfort and ease. Now he continues developing that theme by addressing patience, pride, adversity, prosperity, and our tendency to long for the past.
Rather than teaching us how to avoid difficult seasons, Solomon teaches us how to respond to them with wisdom and trust in God.
(Continued and expanded after scripture.)
7For oppression makes a wise man mad,
And a bribe corrupts the heart.
8The end of a matter is better than its beginning;
Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.
9Do not be eager in your heart to be angry,
For anger resides in the bosom of fools.
10Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?”
For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.
11Wisdom along with an inheritance is good
And an advantage to those who see the sun.
12For wisdom is protection just as money is protection,
But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.
13Consider the work of God,
For who is able to straighten what He has bent?
14In the day of prosperity be happy,
But in the day of adversity consider—
God has made the one as well as the other
So that man will not discover anything that will be after him.
Reflection on Ecclesiastes 7:7–14:
Solomon begins this section by warning about attitudes that can lead us away from wisdom. He cautions against corruption, impatience, and pride. These are often revealed most clearly when life does not go according to our plans.
One of the most practical verses in this passage is Ecclesiastes 7:10:
“Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.”
Most of us have probably fallen into this trap at some point. We look back on an earlier season of life and remember the good parts while forgetting many of the challenges that existed at the time. We convince ourselves that things used to be better and that our best days are behind us.
Solomon calls this perspective unwise.
The problem is not that the past contained blessings. The problem is that constantly longing for the past can prevent us from seeing what God is doing in the present. When our focus is fixed on yesterday, we often miss the opportunities and blessings God has placed before us today.
This does not mean every season of life is equally enjoyable. Some seasons are marked by prosperity, while others bring hardship, loss, or uncertainty. Yet Solomon reminds us that God remains sovereign through them all.
Verse 14 tells us, “In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider—God has made the one as well as the other.”
That can be a difficult truth to accept. We naturally welcome prosperity and resist adversity. Yet Scripture repeatedly teaches that God can use both for His purposes.
James 1:2–4 encourages believers to consider it joy when facing trials because those trials produce endurance and spiritual maturity. Likewise, Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Prosperity often teaches us gratitude.
Adversity often teaches us dependence.
Both can draw us closer to God if we respond with faith.
Solomon is not suggesting that we enjoy suffering or seek hardship. Rather, he is encouraging us to recognize that God remains at work regardless of our circumstances. We may not always understand His purposes, but we can trust His character.
This perspective leads to contentment. The Apostle Paul expressed a similar lesson when he wrote that he had learned to be content in whatever circumstances he faced (Philippians 4:11–13). Whether experiencing abundance or need, Paul trusted the Lord.
Ecclesiastes 7 reminds us that wisdom does not come from controlling every circumstance. Wisdom comes from trusting God in every circumstance.
When life is going well, we should thank God and rejoice in His blessings.
When life is difficult, we should seek God, learn from what He is teaching us, and trust that He remains in control.
The same God who walks with us through seasons of prosperity is also present during seasons of adversity.
Rather than longing for the past or fearing the future, wisdom calls us to trust Him today.
Application:
- Thank God for the blessings of your current season.
- Resist the temptation to dwell on an idealized version of the past.
- Trust that God can use both prosperity and adversity for His purposes.
- Seek wisdom and spiritual growth during difficult seasons.
- Focus on God’s faithfulness today rather than worrying about tomorrow.
Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for being faithful in every season of life. Help me to trust You not only during times of prosperity but also during times of adversity. Guard me from constantly longing for the past or worrying about the future. Give me wisdom to see Your hand at work in my current circumstances and faith to trust Your purposes even when I do not fully understand them. Thank You for Your constant presence and care. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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