It seems that we live in a world of cycles, from bicycles to washing machines, from weather to economics, everything seems to be in an endless round of repetition. Mornings and evenings occur as the earth rotates on its axis; the years continue to roll by as the earth revolves around the sun, and the four seasons continuously repeat. Wise old Solomon was right, "That which has been is what will be, That which is done is that which will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun" (Eccl. 1:9, NKJV).
Nature demonstrates many examples of cyclic behavior. One of these is the hydrological cycle whereby water is transported from a salty ocean and falls on land as fresh water in the form of a liquid or as solid snow and ice. This hydrological system was established by God after Noah's Flood since there was no rain before that. Water is distilled from the oceans and transported in clouds, sometimes many miles, before being deposited. These clouds weigh several tons, and up until recently, it has been a mystery as to what holds them up In fact, this is one of the difficult questions God asked Job (Job 37:16). Today we know that condensation is a warming process, and so each cloud is warmer than the air around it, and it is buoyed up by a strong up-current of hot air. Hawks and glider pilots take advantage of this as they soar aloft.
Another cycle in nature that is vital to the survival of life on earth is the carbon dioxide-oxygen cycle whereby carbon dioxide, a byproduct of respiration and metabolism in animals, is used by green plants along with water to produce carbohydrates, fats proteins, and vitamins through the process of photosynthesis. The main byproduct of this process is oxygen, which is used by animals for the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins. We see here a marvelously complex and interrelated symbiotic relationship between plants and animals which demonstrates a cycle of mutual dependence that could only be the result of divine design.
God has established these automatic cycles for the well-being of His creatures, but there are other cyclic laws that are just as important and unerring in the spiritual realm. God has told us to cast our bread upon the waters, and it will return to us again (Eccl. 11:1); in other words, our generosity is not wasted, and God guarantees a blessing. God sent forth His Word, and that Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and was sacrificed to pay the debt of Adam's sin, and to complete the plan of salvation. When the redeemed of all ages stand on the sea of glass, God's Word will not have returned to Him void, and the eternal purposes of God will have completed "the salvation cycle."
