2 Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God. 3 Do not be in a hurry to leave the king’s presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. 4 Since a king’s word is supreme, who can say to him, “What are you doing? ”
5 Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm,
and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.
6 For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,
though a man’s misery weighs heavily upon him.
and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.
6 For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,
though a man’s misery weighs heavily upon him.
7 Since no man knows the future,
who can tell him what is to come?
8 No man has power over the wind to contain it;
so no one has power over the day of his death.
As no one is discharged in time of war,
so wickedness will not release those who practice it.
who can tell him what is to come?
8 No man has power over the wind to contain it;
so no one has power over the day of his death.
As no one is discharged in time of war,
so wickedness will not release those who practice it.
Mark Driscoll likens this passage to commitments we've made - such as to a job, an organization, in some ways even a spouse.
First - you've taken an oath, or agreed to join an organization - so fulfill your oath, fulfill your commitment. And, obviously, make sure you investigate and research before taking such an oath or aligning yourself with a company or church or what have you. Make sure you know what you're getting in to.
Often, after joining an organization or starting a job, we become frustrated with the leader. But be careful - the leader is in charge, you can't just go around picking fights that aren't winnable. They're in charge and you're not. Which is why you need to do your research in the first place!
Sometimes though, we will love the organization or job or what have you, but notice a problem. We're not to just be problem noticers - we're to be solution finders! There is a proper time and procedure for everything. If you see a problem, do something about it. Be helpful. Be proactive. Get a plan.
Even when we have a plan, we need to be flexible and realize that things change sometimes. The goal may stay the same, but when things change sometimes the plan needs to change if you want to still make the goal. And that's ok.
Driscoll sums it up like this...
People that are wise get involved in organizations. They make sure they do their homework so they know where the leader is going. When they get frustrated, they don’t become combative and difficult. They put together a plan that they’re willing to take more responsibility on their own shoulders to execute. They do so with prudence and timing and resources that are wise. When things change, they’re flexible and they’re willing to change with the need.
Those are the kind of people every type of organization needs more of!
Tomorrow's scripture focus: Ecclesiastes 8:9-17
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