temporary vs permanent

“He who observes the wind (and wait for all conditions to be favourable) will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.” Ecclesiastes 11:4 AMP

This is one of my all time favourite verses in the Bible. Procrastination and lack of motivation (excuses?) can prevent us from sowing at the right time. We want to start a new project, or give of our time and talents, or mend a fractured relationship and so on…when it’s the exact right moment in time.

Sometimes the conditions won’t appear in the natural like the time to sow (ie too windy), but I believe God will honour us for stepping out and planting our seed of faith rather than holding onto it for months and years, waiting…waiting….for the conditions to be favourable. Sometimes you just have to do it afraid.

Fears, anxiety and focusing on the storm clouds to the point that they are larger than the reality of God’s promises for us will cause us to miss out on blessing and provision.

The clouds are there, you can’t dispute that, but you don’t have to accept them as a part of your life. When they finally move on and eventually dissipate, what is left? The shining sun and brilliant blue sky which is permanent and never changes.

It was always there.

When I first read this verse I had an instant picture of strong winds and dark storm clouds rolling in so that the bright sun and blue sky were completely hidden out of view. They were still there, but you just couldn’t see them.

The wind almost knocked you off balance, and the clouds were menacing, but in reality they were nothing but vapour and mist. They were temporary, like the fears and worries that threaten to steal our peace and joy.

The wind and storm clouds are temporary. The sun and blue sky is permanent.

My daughter knows this back to front, because if I can get it into her head that the storms of life are similar to wind and clouds, she will always have a hope and belief that they will move on, and picture the sun still brightly shining above them, even if it is temporarily out of view.

The worries and cares of this world are temporary. The Word of God and light of eternity is permanent.

“Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun”
Ecclesiastes 11:7 AMP

When you have been struggling under the weight of clouds and it is taking all of your faith just to get through each day and brave the storm, than the light of the sun is sweeter than ever before.

You always appreciate something that you haven’t had, or thought you had lost.

I actually remembered a verse in Proverbs today that wraps it all up. I love how you can weave through the word of God and find something new each day....

“But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” Proverbs 4:18 NKJ