Posted: 01 Novenber 2022

From a sermon given on 30 October 2022:

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)

When we compare ourselves with others, we are likely to write ourselves off because we may fall short of the set thresholds. Naturally, there are people who seem to be more endowed and deserving when it come to certain considerations than most of us.

But as the Preacher rightly observes, instead of mulling over our "disqualifications", we should be more conscious of the favor of God in our lives. This means that even though you are not the smartest, the strongest, the most physically endowed and the most knowledgeable, God still gives you success.

You have God's favor - His unmerited, unearned, undeserved grace! (Joseph Prince). "In this world, there are people who are swift but do not always win while others are strong but do not always triumph." The God of the universe is busy "pulling the strings behind the scenes" "to ensure his children gets the best!"

Further Readings:

For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.
(Psalm 44:3)

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
(Jeremiah 9:23, 24)

Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself: Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and he that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself: neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself.
(Amos 2:14, 15)