“I know that, whatsoever God does, it shall be forever; nothing can be put to it nor anything taken from it—and God does it that men should fear before Him.”
Ecclesiastes 3:14
Even though our lives here on earth are “vapory experiences” at best (James 4:13-15), we should not despair—not when the One Who made us has said “Little is much when I am in it.”
Dear Pilgrim, have you, like David, ever asked yourself “What is man, that You are mindful of him—and the son of man (i.e., his children and grandchildren), that You visit him?” (Ps. 8:4)? If so, welcome to “Life 101” and the course in “Grapplings of the Soul.”
Assuredly, every generation has asked the question “Why am I here? Where do I fit in the scheme-of-things or God’s ‘Big Picture’?” And, if we’re not careful, so often there’ll not be anything but deafening silence when we cease speaking.
But, that’s when faith that’s rooted in God’s Word must arise and say “I know that, whatsoever God does, it shall be forever.”
It’s amazing what happens when we declare the wondrous Truths of God instead of focusing on our problems. . .the “What Ifs” of life. . .others’ mistreatment of us. . .the perplexities of life, etc. Only in so doing will we understand what it means to “cast down imaginations (Grk. ‘logismos’—‘computations, reasonings, speculations, surmisings, etc.’) and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God—i.e., knowing Him or seeing His Face—by bringing every thought into the obedience of Christ” (II Cor. 10:5).
Although the dyed-in-the-wool Calvinist says God “predestined” everything to be the way it is—including who’d be saved and lost—the fact remains that He has still given us to the freedom to choose or reject Him. His omniscience doesn’t require His pre-determining ahead of time what will be; yet, in His sovereignty, He will still ultimately have His Way. And, that’s why we, like Solomon, can say “whatever He does is forever.”
Likewise, we must say “He has made everything beautiful in His time and put the world in their hearts” (3:11). We should note that the real meaning of the Hebrew word “owlam,” which is used there for “world,” can also be translated “eternity.” That’s why things here on earth don’t make any sense; we’re created with Eternity in our hearts! And, it’s only when we walk in “communion-union” with Christ that we experience His “Peace that passes all understanding” (Phil. 4:7). Glory!!
Why has He done this, Pilgrim?
Again, interestingly, Solomon—even in his depressed, idolatrous and immoral condition—gives us the answer: “So that we should fear (reverence, worship) before Him.”
So, what are you going through right now that’s tempting you to doubt God’s Love for you? What secret hurts and fears have you hidden away in the recesses of your soul that are nurturing a “root of bitterness” (Heb. 12:15) instead of a heart of love for Him? Pause right now and “be still and know that He is God” (Ps. 46:10). Then, spend a few minutes thanking Him for promising to “work EVERYTHING together for good” in your life (Rom. 8:28).
July 13, 2011
