A Devotional Thought from Ecclesiastes 11:4–6
4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. 5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. 6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. Ecclesiastes 11:4–6
A few weeks ago my little girl gave birth to her baby girl. I don’t think that I am just a proud Pops when I say that baby is especially beautiful. When I first laid eyes on this precious treasure I found myself in absolute wonderment at her little fingers and toes. First, I saw they were all there and then that there were no extras. I noticed that they were fully developed, with little joints and tiny finger nails. They were just like yours and mine but just really small. I did notice that for her size those delightful digits appear to be long like mine. That made me smile! I doubt she will grow to palm a basketball like her granddad, that might be really weird, but I bet they will help her reach those guitar strings like her dad or play those piano keys like her mom. Isn’t it amazing? Doesn’t it put you in awe, that those little bones were completely developed in just a few months? How did all of those little bones come into being out of seemingly nothing in less than nine months?
Solomon observed the wonder of this in today’s reading.
Ecclesiastes 11:5
As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
The preacher said there are many works of God that we just don’t understand. We don’t know how the Spirit of God is working or how he develops those little bones inside the mothers tummy.
Even the most eloquent scientists, with their best explanations, can’t rob the miracle of motherhood of it’s mystery.
The process in which God creates an all new individual amazes me and it amazed wise Solomon. I don’t believe we will ever completely understand it. To Solomon, the development of a baby was just an example of the mysteries of life. There are many things that we don’t understand.
In context he was showing us how our uncertainty can cripple us if we allow it. Fear can cause us to withhold investments, procrastinate in our duties and in so doing lose productivity. He used the example of a fruitless farmer who is waiting for perfect weather, delaying to plant his seeds and failing to reap a harvest. How can you really know when perfect weather conditions are coming anyway? Even the weatherman rarely gets it right!
In Ecclesiastes chapter 11, the wise king was encouraging us to accept the grace of God, do our duty, invest as wisely as possible, give generously, enjoy your blessings and leave the rest into the hands of a wise and wonderful God.
Please Lord, help me hear these words with more than just my physical ears and comprehend it with more than my head.