“I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.”
(Ecclesiastes 3:14)
Because of His absolute sovereignty, infinite wisdom, might, and perfection, whatever God does stands forever. His works are never uncertain or subject to revision. Nothing can be added to His works as though they were deficient, and nothing can be taken from them as though they were flawed. All His acts are perfect, complete, and eternal in their design.
Men plan imperfectly, work incompletely, and often fail entirely. They revise what they have done, regret what they have chosen, and correct what they have made. But God never improves His works, never alters His decrees, and never revises His providence because His purposes are always perfect from the beginning.
And although His providence is often hidden to our understanding, it is never dark in itself. Clouds and darkness may surround His throne, but righteousness and judgment are its foundation. We can only see pieces of His works and therefore struggle to understand them. Yet God sees the whole at once. He orders every event, every affliction, every rise and fall of kingdoms, every personal sorrow, and every movement of history according to His wise and holy purpose.
When Job was brought face to face with the majesty of God, his complaints stopped because the only proper response to divine mystery is worship. God’s greatness silences questioning and humbles the soul into reverent submission.
Moreover, God’s sovereign works are intended to awaken holy awe and humble worship in the hearts of His creatures. He governs in such a way as to display His majesty and remind all creation that He alone is God.
The heavens move at His command. The seas keep their bounds by His decree. Fire, hail, snow, storm, and wind fulfill His word. Angels excel in strength and do His pleasure. The beasts of the field, the creatures of the deep, and the hosts of heaven all submit to their Creator. This makes human rebellion all the more shameful, that rational creatures made in His image should resist the will that all creation gladly obeys.
Let us therefore adore Him not only for His power, but also for His perfection.[1] All His works are right. All His ways are holy. All His purposes are wise. And He is worthy of our absolute trust, perfect submission, and ceaseless praise.
Contemplations:
- God’s Perfect Wisdom. Lord, I adore You for the perfection of Your wisdom. Nothing in all Your works is deficient, mistaken, or incomplete. Your wisdom is infinite and Your judgments are altogether right. I praise You that every work of Your hand is flawless.
- God’s Sovereign Providence. Father, I adore You that all things are governed by Your providence. Kingdoms rise and fall at Your command. Nations move according to Your decree. My life, my circumstances, my trials, and my blessings all come under Your sovereign hand because nothing occurs outside Your wise and holy government.
- God’s Unsearchable Majesty. Lord, I adore You for the majesty that humbles every proud thought. You dwell in unapproachable glory, and Your ways are past finding out. Though I cannot understand all You do, I praise You that Your hidden ways are no less righteous than Your revealed works.
- God’s Worthiness to Be Feared. Father, I adore You as the One who is worthy of holy fear. You are not to be treated lightly or approached casually for You are the high and lofty One, glorious in holiness and fearful in praises.
Prayer (Adoration)
Most high and glorious God, I bow before You in reverent adoration, acknowledging that whatever You do shall stand forever. Your works are perfect, Your judgments righteous, and Your wisdom beyond searching out. Nothing can be added to Your works, for they lack nothing. Nothing can be taken from them, for they are altogether complete.
I adore You for the perfection of Your wisdom. What You ordain is right. What You permit is wise. What You accomplish is holy. Your understanding is infinite, and Your counsel stands forever.
I adore You for Your sovereign providence over all things. Kings rule only by Your appointment. History unfolds according to Your decree. My life is ordered by Your hand, and every detail falls under Your government.
I adore You even when I cannot understand Your ways. When providence is dark, You remain righteous. When Your hand is hidden, You remain good. Clouds and darkness may surround You, but righteousness and judgment are the habitation of Your throne. So let me worship where I cannot explain.
You are worthy of all fear and reverence. You do mighty works that men should fear before You. Teach my soul to bow low before Your majesty. Remove all presumption and irreverence from my heart and let holy awe fill my worship.
For You alone are God. You alone are perfect. You alone are sovereign. You alone are worthy of endless adoration.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Further Scripture References for Eccl. 3:14:
Psalm 33:11; Eccl. 12:13; James 1:17; Deut. 32:4
[1] Ebenezer Pemberton, A Humble Discourse of the Incomprehensibleness of God, (Boston: J. Draper, for D. Henchman, over against the brick meeting house in Cornhill, 1740), 79-84.
