Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from the Book of Ecclesiastes 3 verse 4, “Whatever God does endures forever, nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it,” (NRSVB). Scholars believe that the writer of this book is more than likely, Solomon, the wisest king that has ruled the earth. The writer identifies himself as the son of king David. The purpose of the sayings collected in Ecclesiastes is to point out how futile it is to substitute man’s wisdom for the wisdom of God. It is God who has planned and purposed the world and it is He who is in control of the times and seasons in and of the world.
Humankind wants to believe that it is through their research and insight, wisdom and intelligence that the world is progressing as new knowledge is unearthed and technologies are invented. However, the plans of humans cannot span pre-recorded times of history, nor can it span the future that is to come. God’s plans and purposes are to bring peace and hope to humans, there where they find that life has become controlled by the pressure of meeting deadlines and targets, feeling devoided of energy, as they have to drive themselves to compete with machines. Man is constantly reminded that it would not be long before they would be replaced by machines. Instead of machines working to help humankind, humankind has become enslaved to machines and fearful of the power of man-made products that endeavour to replace humans.
God’s plans and purposes are to bring peace and hope to humans, and not constant fear, pressure and exhausting tasks. Nothing can derail the plans that God made, not even calamities and turmoil. God uses the selfsame things that we fear and turn these around and inside-out, to become instruments in his hand that can be used to our benefit, instead of instruments that can harm us.
The Apostle Paul writes in The Letter to the Romans, Chapter 11 verse 29, “For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. He never withdraws them once they are given, and He does not change his mind about those to whom He gives his grace, it is to those whom He sends his call,” (Amplified Bible). Unlike humans who frequently change their minds and their information, God does not have to recalculated, for he does not make errors. God is Truth.
God has given his grace to all, so that they can learn wisdom and truth. On the Cross Jesus Christ obtain salvation for all, it is done, it has been finished, it has been achieved for us. This is the wisdom that cannot change, for it is truth and life and the foundation of all knowledge and wisdom.
When Jesus bade farewell to his disciples and followers, before he ascended to heaven, he commanded them to go and tell and call all nations. and people and make disciples. These disciples will know the truth and spread the joyous gospel for God calls all the people and all the nations to him. Each one has been called by name and each one is chosen, this call will never change, for God does not change his mind, but has called you by name. God will never change his mind regarding his call, it is a firm, clear and enduring call, that invites everyone to participate with God in the plans and purpose of God’s wisdom. You are called to fulfil your special God-given mission. Accept that you are accepted and invited by our loving Heavenly Father who works to help you to fulfil your calling.
Father God, we are fragile humans who are tossed in the sea of information and misinformation. Help us to search for wisdom in the knowledge of your revealed truth in Jesus, Amen.