The Manifold Works of Christ

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

One of the most exciting things in the world is the discovery of things of which we had no prior knowledge. Every day presents us with new opportunities to gain insight into hitherto unknown subjects. Thus far, in our examination of Ecclesiastes 3:11, we have considered the beauty of the works of Christ, and the eternity which lies before us to examine those works, while we fellowship with Him. Our text for today declares, ‘except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.’ This holds out to us the thoroughly exciting prospect of a continual, unbroken, unending accession of knowledge. We have the privilege already to learn much of Christ daily. As we make consistent use of the means of grace which He has afforded us, He reveals more of Himself to us. Consider how much more we shall know when we begin to contemplate Christ with unsinning hearts, glorified bodies, and unfettered minds. There lies before us an expanse of knowledge so vast that all the unending eons of eternity, will not afford us the ‘time’ to plumb the depths of all the knowledge there is of Christ. We shall be evermore learning of Christ, His Person and His manifold works. This is an utterly thrilling prospect. How great is our privilege now, even today, to gain first a foretaste of what will be an unending, eternal education. Therefore, our cry today, tomorrow and forever is, More of Christ! More of Christ!

Our Most Loving Savior,
We ever delight to learn of You.

Where the Bush is Burning
Tomm Tice

 

Eternity In The Heart

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Beyond the beautiful things which God has created, He has done more with those who are made in His image. Our text today declares, ‘Also, He has put eternity in their hearts.’ This raises several thoughts. In a general sense, God has placed eternity in the hearts of all those whom He has created in His Image. There is within the heart of humanity, the intrinsic awareness, that we are made for more than just this life. We have that inherent, undeniable sense that this life, this day to day, hour by hour, existence is not where it all ends; that there is much more; that there is eternity to follow. Herein lies the genius of the Gospel. It is Christ, Who by His entrance, makes an unknown future, a known one. If I know, in my heart of hearts that there is an eternity, yet know not what it holds for me, I may find myself facing the end of life with fear and trepidation. If I know Him, Who is from eternity, and unto eternity, ‘the same yesterday, today, and forever,’ then eternity does not loom before me like a yawning chasm. If God places Christ in my heart, then I have, not just eternity there but the Eternal One there. That makes life itself, in the current scene of time, to have more meaning, more purpose, and better prospects. Beyond that, what fear have I of death, if the One Who dwells within me, by His Spirit, will bear me across the river of death, into an eternity of unbroken fellowship? Death is but a door to a more abundant life. Eternity, is all before us and before us all.

Our Gracious Eternal God,
we rejoice that You have set eternity in our hearts,
and that You have saved us by free and sovereign grace.
We look forward to eternal fellowship with You.

Where the Bush is Burning
Tomm Tice

Beautiful In His Time

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

God does beautiful work. ‘The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day, utters speech, and night unto night shows forth knowledge.’ What is even more remarkable, is that we behold God’s beautiful works in what is a sin-cursed world, and with sin-damaged eyes. How much more beauty was there before those damages occurred? How much better would we be able to comprehend and appreciate that beauty if we were not so damaged by the curse of sin?

Our text today declares, ‘He has made everything beautiful in its time.’ We may first contemplate this text by referencing the Person of Christ. We may consider all the beautiful things that have come from the Hand of Christ. ‘He has made.’  All that is beautiful comes from Him. He has conceived it, created it and delivered it. Beyond that, we may consider that it includes everything. That which is, is of Christ. It has no being or existence apart from Him. Moreover, ‘He has made everything beautiful.’ We struggle here. We do not see ‘everything’ so ‘ beautiful.’ Is that really only because we see things through faulty eyes, with poor perception? If we could see, as He sees, would we then be able to see, the ‘beauty’ in ‘everything’ which He has made? He can certainly give us that ability. In fact, that is a worthy prayer request, “O Christ, teach me to see things as You see them.’ Then also, ‘He has made everything beautiful in its time.’ Christ is, at times early, but He is never late. What He has made, He has made in the time He knows it is needed, and will serve the purpose of His will. There is beauty in the mere timing of all which He has done. Let us today dwell upon all these things.  Let us fix our hearts and minds upon the Christ Who has ‘made everything beautiful in its time.’

O Christ, give us eyes to see as You see.
Give us hearts to trust, and arms to embrace;
even when we do not understand.

Where the Bush is Burning
Tomm Tice