Clarity

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” 2 Tim.3:16 [NIV]

“I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time” Ecc.9:11 [emphasis added]. The word chance there actually means favour. It is the favour of God that positions you in the right place at the time. You are going to be soaked in that favour, in Jesus Name.

The favour of God is not luck. God is saying to us, being the fastest does not guarantee victory. Being the strongest does not mean you will always win. Being wise does not mean there will always be food on the table. Being skillful does not always translate to wealth. Being educated does not always mean success. We have to understand this about God and about how life works.

Favour is that supernatural empowerment to succeed. The extra thing that God adds to your speed, to your strength, to your wisdom, and to your education that causes you to triumph, is favour. You will be soaked in it this season, in Jesus Name. God is saying while being the fastest runner, the strongest warrior, the wisest person, the most skillful person, or an educated person increases your chances of being in the right place at the right time, it does not guarantee success; only favour does. Ecclesiastes 9:11 has been misinterpreted to mean that speed, strength, wisdom, skill, and education are not important. All you need is favour. That is not the interpretation of the verse. It means that speed, strength, wisdom, skill and education increase your chances of being at the right place at the right time.

But only favour can guarantee that you are always successful. Let me explain; if you are not fast, how can you get to the finish line and breast the tape? If you are not strong in wrestling, how can you pin down your opponent? If you are not wise, how would you know what to say? If you are not skillful you will be irrelevant. If you are not educated you will be ignorant. God is saying that while these things are crucial, you should not ignore favour.

Prayer: Father, I ask for speed, new strength, deep wisdom, improved skill by Your Spirit, and the capacity for knowledge, in Jesus Name.