In his sermon on Ecclesiastes 9:11–18, Stephen Davey explains Solomon’s counsel on how to live wisely in a world filled with unexpected, uncontrollable events. Solomon observes that life does not always reward the fastest, strongest, smartest, or most qualified: runners lose races, armies lose battles, wise people go hungry, shrewd investors go bankrupt, and capable workers are overlooked—not because God is absent, but because “time and chance,” meaning unforeseen events, interrupt everyone’s plans. Davey illustrates this with Solomon’s case study of a poor but wise man who saved an entire city, only to be forgotten and uncelebrated. Even so, Solomon insists that wisdom is still the right way to live. Davey highlights Solomon’s three clarifications: wisdom might not win the most applause, because people often honor power more than truth; wisdom might not gain the largest audience, since loud and foolish voices frequently dominate the stage; and wisdom might not win the biggest arguments, because a single sinner can undo good faster than wisdom can build it. Yet wisdom—defined as making the right decision, for the right reason, at the right time, and with the right motive—comes from God alone and is expressed perfectly in Jesus Christ. Davey concludes that while life brings unexpected twists, believers can “expect the unexpected” with steady confidence by seeking God’s wisdom, submitting to His Word, and walking closely with the One who embodies wisdom itself.
Expect the Unexpected
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