I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
I know - concerning God's part: answering to "I know" (Ecclesiastes 3:12) as regards man's part.
Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever (Psalms 46:10; Psalms 33:11; 1 Samuel 3:12; 2 Samuel 23:5; Psalms 89:34; Matthew 24:35; James 1:17) - as opposed to man's perishing labours (Ecclesiastes 2:15-18). God's plans cannot be altered by any creature's opposition; but God is a Sovereign, and not the slave of fate, and He takes into account His people's prayers; but our anxious workings are useless in respect to them. Anything taken from it-opposed to man's 'crooked and wanting' works (Ecclesiastes 1:15; Ecclesiastes 7:13). The event of man's labours depends wholly on God's immutable purpose. Man's part, therefore, is to do and enjoy every earthly thing in its proper season (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13), not setting aside God's order; and not to undertake anything depending on his own anxious efforts for its accomplishment, but to commit all his ways to God, who has appointed the time and end (Psalms 127:1-2; Psalms 123:1-2; Romans 9:16; Ephesians 1:11, end). The mysteriousness and unchangeableness of God's purposes are designed to lead man to "fear before Him." Man knows not the event of each act, otherwise he would think himself independent of God.