“I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil– this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.” Ecclesiastes 3:10-15 (NIV)
Eternity: an infinity of duration, both past and future. Its parameters are so vast as to be incomprehensible. Yet, God has imprinted it into the human mind. When and where it began, we are not told. That it has no end is beyond our intellect. As thinking individuals, we possess the ability to consider the past and future, but it does not help us solve our present day problems. And it neither explains what God does nor how he does it.
We cannot penetrate the depths of God’s mind. We can only see minute pieces of what can only be described as a master plan. This leaves us with countless questions about the various aspects of our lives and how it all fits into his plan. The complicated thread of God’s master plan may be difficult for the human mind to unravel but God has not left us discontented. He sent us his Son, Jesus Christ, who proclaims hope for all those who trust in him for salvation.
Trusting in him and forsaking sinful ways will bring peace and contentment. The love of God is assured to everyone who lives by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Life takes on a new meaning and produces joy for those who do. The gift of God remains with all who live godly. They enjoy his favor and prosperity for all eternity.
The inability to change God’s plan or even affect it infuriates the human intellect. As a result, some of us properly fear God. Others, reject him and the knowledge of him as though such ignorance might make a difference. It does not and will not. Now, what about the Ecclesiastes theme of endless recurrence? We can keep on making the same timeless mistakes that humans have made since the garden and we will continue to get the same results. We can also place our faith in the Savior as people of faith have since Seth and we will receive the same reward they have received. The only change to your eternity and mine is the one God has established in his Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. For all time and eternity, past – present – future, he is the Eternal Savior. This is not proof of Christian vanity. Rather, he is the Eternal Savior because God established his savior-hood before he created the universe.
Dear Father, thank you for your eternal plan of salvation for us. Enable every person who reads these words to place faith in Jesus Christ. Empower us to endure to the end. This I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his plan and live for his purpose,