Recall in our earlier consideration of Ecclesiastes 5:8-9

The social injustice within the worldly system we live and function in and that the system itself is a constant source of distraction through its constant barrage of news reports in which we hear of social injustice (1 Corinthians 7:31 (MSG). Most often, the poor are its targets. **Taken from Bible Study Tools

So beloved why are you amazed and why will you fall victim to a system that is rigged against the righteous? Here is where our scripture reference for today gives food for thought.

I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:10-11

This scripture would superficially trip a casual reader, suggesting that God himself set this trap? Until you see that the travail is first given to the “sons of men“, and see further the elaboration of Solomon on this serious matter in Ecclesiastes 2:26,

For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Clearly the sinner-man is the one destined for the distraction caused by the injustice of this world system, putting on the righteous the responsibility and intentionality of purpose not to be engaged with this distraction! Not even in the discussion of it because of the danger such would pose on the heart! The redeemed, the sons of God must not debase themselves to live as sons of men, noting fully Paul’s admonition to the believers in Philippi in Philippians 2:14-16.

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16a holding forth the word of life. Philippians 2:14-16

We hold forth the word of life in constant supplication, over and above the systemic negatives that only trigger murmuring and disputings. We will explore next how to rightly face the sinful drives that urge us to follow the world in its evil quests. How did those who have gone before us do this? Shalom.

Pastor Afolabi Oladele