UNCOMMEN Change: Being A Man For All SeasonsSample

Day 5 - Final Justice and Hope to Come

“Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.” - Ecclesiastes 3:16-17

Solomon continues in Chapter 3 to talk about a time beyond this life and the hope of justice to come.  For the atheist, this world is all that there is. When we die, that’s the end of it all for us. Life has this futility about it. You are born, you grow, you work, you get old, and you die. If this is the case, then life is a random happening of molecules and haphazard events. However, if there is a God, and if there is a plan for our lives, then life is incredibly meaningful.

As we have read through Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, these past few days, one thing becomes evident. God is the only one who can completely make sense out of this life and the seasons that we go through. It’s easy to look around and see the brokenness in this world: sickness, poverty, violence, hate, racism, war, injustice and complete despair. How can a good God allow such things? But Solomon points out in Ecclesiastes 3:16-17 that despite injustice and despair taking place here and now, God uses these things as well. Persecution, suffering, and tribulation are there to teach us. If there were no benefit from it, God would not allow it. There will come a day when God will judge both the righteous and the wicked. That season is coming. We have great hope that day because everything will be set right and we will all be living with God through Christ in heaven. Every injustice will be overturned, and people will receive their due. 

UNCOMMEN QUESTION: In what area of your life have your experienced suffering or injustice? How has God used that for good later?

Bible References:
Ecclesiastes 3:6-7
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

About the Author: Sam Casey is the Managing Partner at Banyan Creative based in Matthews, NC and the Content Editor at uncommen.org.

About the Designer: Tj Todd is the CEO / Creative Director at Studio490 based in Charlotte, NC and the Creative Director and Web Designer for Uncommen.org.