21st March 2024

21st March 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Ecclesiastes 8v10-15)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


It’s accepted wisdom that there isn’t any justice in the world. I’m old enough to remember the trial of OJ Simpson back in the mid nineties. It seemed absolutely clear that OJ murdered his wife and her friend but after weeks of high drama, OJ Simpson was pronounced innocent. Mr Simpson would eventually end up in prison but not for the murder of his wife. To this day no one has been held accountable for the murders of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman. Justice has not been done.


Solomon was all too aware of this tragedy. He had seen wicked men going in and out of the temple and receiving the praise of their peers (v10). Wickedness seemed to abound because the sentence against wicked deeds was not executed quickly and humans continued to do evil things (v11). Furthermore, although the wicked would die and be buried (v10a), it often appeared that they had much longer lives than the righteous (v12). 


Even so, Solomon was convinced that justice would eventually be done. The wicked person does not fear God and therefore all will not go well for such an individual (v13). When will justice be done? At the final day. It may seem like the righteous are punished in life while the wicked go free (v14) but this will certainly not be the case when Jesus comes. When Jesus appears all will stand before Him to give an account and those who did not fear God in life will be sent away to everlasting punishment (Matthew 25v41).


We can be sure Christ will return as judge because Christ was raised from the dead (Acts 17v31). If we are confident of the resurrection, then we can be confident of the day of judgment. The Christian fears God and therefore doesn’t need to fear the final day. This isn’t to say that the Christian ignores the last judgement. The Westminster Confession of Faith tells us that the reality of the judgement should cause us to shake off any security or confidence we have in this fading world. More than that, we are to be always watchful and always prepared for the arrival of Jesus.


These things would be a positive response when we believe that justice has not been done and additionally I think Solomon would also commend joy. As we wait for Jesus we are to know joy in our food, drink and work (v15). This isn’t the first time Solomon has pointed us in this direction and so perhaps we should start to listen. Brothers and sisters, find joy in your life and rest assured that Christ is coming soon when every evil deed will receive its due reward. Even so, come Lord Jesus (Revelation 22v20).


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q99 What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer? The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer, but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called, The Lord’s Prayer.
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