I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11 KJV

THE BEGINNING OF YOUR JOURNEY
The teacher here, for further proof of the vanity of the world, and to convince us that all our works are in the hand of God, and not in our own hand, shows the uncertainty and contingency of future events, and how often they contradict the prospects we have of them. He had exhorted us (Ecclesiastes 9:10) to do what we have to do with all our might, but here he reminds us that, when we have done all, we must leave the issue with God, and not be confident of the success.

One would think that the lightest, of the foot, should, in the running, win the prize and yet the race is not always to the swift some accident happens to retard them, or they are too secure, and therefore remiss, and let those that are slower get the start of them.

One would think that, of fighting, the most numerous and powerful army should always be victorious and, in single combat, that the bold and mighty champion should win the laurel. Still, the battle is not always to the strong a host of Philistines was once put to flight by Jonathan and his man one of you shall chase a thousand the goodness of the cause has often carried the day against the most formidable power.

One would think that men of sense should always be men of substance and that those who know how to live in the world should not only have plentiful maintenance but get great estates. Yet, it does not always prove so even bread is not still to the wise, much fewer riches always to men of understanding. Many ingenious men, and men of business, who were likely to thrive in the world, have strangely gone backward and come to nothing. 

He resolves all these disappointments into an over-ruling power and providence, the disposals of which to us seem casual, and we call them a chance, but really they are according to the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, here called time, in the language of this book, Ecclesiastes 3:1; Psalms 31:15.

Time and chance happen to them all. A sovereign Providence breaks men’s measures, and blasts their hopes, and teaches them that the way of man is not in himself, but subject to the divine will. We must use means, but not trust them if we succeed, we must give God the praise (Psalms 44:3). If we are crossed, we must acquiesce in his will and take our lot.

Again please remember this is just a humble servant doing the bidding of Yeshua (Jesus). I pray for a safe journey forward. A walk-in God’s love and peace, and may the “SHARING OF YOUR LIGHT” in the Den of wolves be fruitful, remember, He is always with you if you hold His love in your heart forever.   

If you lead within righteousness, they will follow your light, bless the Lord for simplicity. 

Robert