Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Though I don’t read Hebrew, experience has taught me to trust the Japanese translation I’m using, and the difference in nuance in this very famous verse is significant. The Japanese says, “Everything God does is beautiful in its time.” That doesn’t mean that everything is beautiful in itself, it means that if God did it, at some point its beauty will be revealed. Murder is not beautiful. Rape is not beautiful. All sorts of things are not beautiful, but are the result of man’s sinful rebellion against God. However, if they are yielded to God after the fact, He can turn them around and bring something beautiful out of them. I have read stories of some truly beautiful (not simply physically attractive) people who were conceived in rape. The act of their conception was not beautiful, but God turned it around. This is in line with the parallel verse from the NT, Romans 8:28. There are a variety of translations for that verse, but the thrust is that God brings ultimate good out of everything, for those who are committed to Him. And that was written by a man who had been stoned and shipwrecked, and was ultimately martyred!

This is a truth I need to keep remembering. There are many unpleasant things in life on this planet, and God pointed out to me personally that He’s not any happier about them than we are. I’ve got to remember, not just theoretically but practically and emotionally, that when I yield things to Him, He will make them beautiful. The meeting last night was a good case in point. I certainly didn’t look forward to it, and parts of it weren’t exactly pleasant, but God worked in it, and He will continue to use what was said to work in hearts and minds to conform us to the likeness of His Son. In a totally different area, the computer problems I’ve had haven’t been enjoyable per se, but they have been educational and will result in a better system in the long run. I need to remember to thank and praise God before I see how He’s going to work things out.

Father, thank You for keeping a guard on my tongue last night, just as I asked. Thank You also for guarding the tongue of the other person who was attacked, and for the things he allowed You to say through him. I pray that You would continue to grow and mature this church in every way, so that each individual, and the church as a whole, would be centered on You rather than themselves, giving You the thanks, praise, and obedience that You deserve, fulfilling Your plans for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!