The Works of God

“Then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done.” Ecclesiastes 8:17 

Great is the mystery of Godliness.  Millions of light years away, He works His miracles; He can perform His marvels in nanoseconds; although no eye can see, His hand works mysteries among sub-atomic particles.  God works in the darkness.  He knows tomorrow’s news and understands what happened yesterday.  The intricacies of his creation provide and endless parade of wonderment to biologists; the awesome configurations of rock and mountain confound geologists; astronomers, marine scientists, physicists and the whole body of learned brains see his power on display daily. Yet, God does not reveal his secrets to the wise.  “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” 1 Corinthians 1:20-21.

You cannot see everything that God is doing in your life.  You cannot possibly understand the purposes God had in all the things that have happened to you, through you, by you, in you and for you.  You cannot possibly see all the levels on which the Almighty God is operating—even now—as he orchestrates the events and circumstances of your existence.  You cannot find out God’s business.  Just trust him.  If you can’t trust him, you will be left to your own devices. 

In the magazine article, Evolution Goes to Pieces on a Bee’s Knee, the author explored the belief that certain organs developed as a response to a need. Nature supposedly produces the necessary organ to fit the creature for survival. However, when bees crawl into pollen-filled blossoms, pollen stops up their breathing apparatus, making it impossible to breathe. Now it so happens that every bee has a special brush located on its knees; a stiff brush that it uses to clean out its breathing apparatus when it comes out of the flower so it doesn’t suffocate.

He noted that if it were true that these insects develop special equipment in response to a need, the very first bee to exist did not have those brushes on its knees. When it went into the flower, it would have suffocated; consequently, all bees would have become extinct. No, God provided these tiny brushes to meet the need and save the very first bee that was made.  God anticipated the needs of His creatures. God meets our needs in advance. 

When you step back and take a look, you will be struck by the transcendent plan of God at work. Isaac wanted a bride, but God wanted a Rebecca through whom he could put the attitude of the church on display. Jacob fought to win a wrestling match, but God is no WWF fan. He wanted to change a Jacob into an Israel. Joseph sought to successfully administer the Pharaoh’s kingdom, but God wanted to preserve the family of Jacob during a famine.  

Likewise, when you become too tied to the mundane events that monotonously stretch out before you, you lose awareness of the divine purposes working within you. Your personal assessment of the circumstances of life that drive your prayers and fuel your passions may be far too small. You may think you are merely singing in the choir, but God knows that you are strengthening the church and impacting others with your willingness to worship.

You may feel you are plodding along in slavish obedience to the Bible, but God is using you to influence and inspire others who may never say a word to you. The prayer warriors’ closet becomes God’s war room to win great spiritual battles. Sunday School teachers’ lessons get repeated by foreign missionaries. Simple acts of kindness set the stage for mighty revivals. Encouraging words are pivotal in salvaging someone’s powerful ministry. God’s acts are enfolded into the works of the unassuming disciple.