Focus: Ecclesiastes 9:11 - KJV
11. 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.
1 Kings 1:9-14
Life is not ordinarily straight jacketed. Some believe that until you strive hard at something, you are not likely to achieve much in it. Well, that may be true to some extent. It is true for every one that operates outside the grace and purpose of God. For instance, there was a time in the life of Peter who, though being an expert in the fishery business, toiled all night and caught nothing despite having all he required to succeed, by all human faculties, in the trade. Some others believe your education and qualifications give you some latitude over others who are less qualified. Well, they may also be right to some extent. Nonetheless, the early disciples thrived and succeeded better in ministry even though they were observed to be unlettered, than the Sadducees and Pharisees of the time including Saul of Tarsus.
But the wise man discovered something. Because God favored him, though he be the son of a concubine of sort, not near being the heir apparent to the throne of David, not being anywhere near some others in wisdom before the favor, and so on. God had favored Solomon by having the King’s prophet turn against Adonijah who was at the time the eldest of the sons of David, to favor him to succeed his father. When eventually against all odds he became the King. He realized truly that God does as He pleases in the affairs of men. Jonathan had always been a palace dweller: eating kingly food, taking kingly education etc. But God decided to give the Kingdom to a shepherd boy whose abode was the forest and had no meaningful education, David. Therefore, Solomon declares clearly so true that the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong nor wealth to the learned. It is only time and chance that works for them. So, if you are well positioned today better than someone else, it is not just because you are good or better than others or that you are the best for the position; it is only time and chance. For how more qualified was David than Goliath in the battle that claimed the latter’s head.
I pray with you beloved, that before this year finally runs out, time and chance will happen for you that the Lord will cause you to be promoted beyond your pears in every area of life in the name of Jesus Christ. Be hard working but never strive for anything outside God. Such efforts can be worthless and meaningless too. Please be guided.