“I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. That which is has already been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.” -Ecclesiastes 3:14-15

In the moments when we don’t know what to do - which have been numerous, even in the first few days of this new year - we would do well to quote this verse from Ecclesiastes. For a few days, I fell into a pattern of what I called “righteous anger”... until I realized that sitting in judgment wasn’t moving me closer to my God or farther from my pent-up fears.

This verse pulled me up from underneath the water. 

Whatever God does endures forever.

He has set the world in motion and daily keeps it going. He checks the “supplies” and “shipments” for everyday’s events, marking it with His holy, unchangeable stamp of approval. Nothing gets by Him, not even a sparrow falling to the ground in a remote corner of the earth. Our Heavenly Father is there to catch it before it hits the ground, caressing its wings and whispering it a lullaby as it passes away from this world.

Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it.

We are on the path to heaven. We can be so tempted to look left and right, to see, what looks like, so many people choosing an easier - yet darker path. They seem to have their own blasphemous agendas, definitions, and morals. When we look away from our Father’s path, the darkness seems to suck us in. But we have to remember that no earthly ruler can either add or take away from God’s plan for the world: God’s specific, detailed plan for the world, a plan which we are equally a part of. A plan, which God promises, will bring us good for His glory.

God has done it, so that people fear before him.

God will bring all people into submission, even the darkest of all souls. When we keep our purpose in mind - to show people the love and great might of our Heavenly Father - doing what’s right is just a tad bit easier. We know that if people are angry with us, it’s actually God that they’re mad at. We have the great joy of showing people our God, so that they may fear Him in love.

Pray this verse back to God. Memorize it so that when you are tempted to see only evil men, you instead are reminded that God even uses the wicked people of this world to continue writing His perfect story -  and He wants to use you too.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amanda Brown is loves reading Emily Dickinson poems, dancing in the rain, and telling stories that are a little over-exaggerated. Her perfect day includes drinking rosebud tea, snacking on a honey-covered rice cake, and watching a BBC drama with her mom and sister. She has run a blog and magazine, Oh Beloved One, since she was 12 and loves her title as Blogger, Head Editor, and Head Designer. You can find her at Oh Beloved One.