Ecclesiastes 8:13 (NRSV)
Read Ecclesiastes 8:13 on biblegateway.com
Verse 13but it will not be well with the wicked, neither will they prolong their days like a shadow, because they do not stand in fear before God.
Devotion
“The good die young.” That old saying captures one of the apparent injustices of life. We all know wonderful, good people of faith who have died far too young. Our hearts ache and we question the justice of it all. We may even be led to wonder if maybe those who live a loose life aren’t so dumb after all. Ecclesiastes reminds us that despite appearances, the “wicked” cannot “prolong their days like a shadow...” Despite appearances, those who are walking on the dark side of the street cannot stretch out their lives. The wise way is the way of faith in God, which helps us with both life and death.
Prayer
Forgive us if we ever surrender our faith to the despair over life’s injustices, dear Lord. Lead us to the knowledge of the great teacher of the Old Testament, who believed that living in faith and obedience is the true way of life. Amen.