Closer Day By Day

Bible Passage:  Ecclesiastes 11-12

Why?
How?
I seek to know.

Many “whys” and “how” continue to haunt us on earth.
Many things remain not known.
Life’s 100 000 “whys” - who can answer?

What is the way of the wind?
How did the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child?
What evil would be on the earth?
Which of the seeds I sow would prosper?

Often I would spend time watching the clouds pass.
I sought to understand the mystery behind.
I seek to know God’s master plan for the entire universe.

He who observes the wind will not sow,
And he who regards the clouds will not reap. (Ecclesiastes 11:4)

Oh no!
I have been seeking in vain when I should have been sowing.
If I had been sowing, perhaps now I would be reaping!
Life’s every moment should be cherished and put to good use.

Then I realized a truth:
Though many things remain unknown to us,
for we do not know the works of God who makes everything (Ecclesiastes 11:5),
Many things are in fact clearly evident.
Like how the clouds when full of rain would empty themselves upon the earth,
Or how a tree would remain at the place where it had fallen.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:20)

So, perhaps if we pay more attention to that which is obvious,
We can also see God’s answers in the not-so-obvious.

What should I do then?

Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, for you do not know what evil will be on the earth (Ecclesiastes 11:2).

In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper (Ecclesiastes 11:6).

For I do not know,
And so I do.
I do what is required of me by God.

And what is required by God?
To do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God (Micah 6:8)
In the midst of the knowns and unknowns,
God has made obvious what is important in His Holy Word.
He has told us what we should do.

Remove sorrow from our heart, and put away evil from our flesh (Ecclesiastes 11:10).
Sow your seed in the morning and evening alike (Ecclesiastes 11:6).
Remember the days of darkness for they will be many (Ecclesiastes 11:8).
Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is man’s all (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Timeless truths written plainly for our sake.

The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd (Ecclesiastes 12:11).

Upright words that will lead us on the upright path.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105)
Your word gives me life (Psalm 119:50).

How much I cherish and love this Word is the question God seeks to know now.