Scripture:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NKJV
[1] To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: [2] A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; [3] A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; [4] A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; [5] A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; [6] A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; [7] A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; [8] A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.
Observation:
Solomon was King David’s son. At the beginning of his reign as king, the LORD came to him and said you can have anything you want, ask and it’s yours. Solomon’s careful thought brought back the only answer to that question that could be heard and understood. His response was give me wisdom that I may lead your people. Because he could have asked for absolutely anything from riches and long life but asked only for wisdom. GOD saw fit to not only give him what he had asked for but more than he had ever imagined. Giving him not only wisdom but also making him the wisest man that ever was. Not to mention riches beyond his wildest dreams. His reign as king was marked by peace and prosperity for the kingdom. People would come from all over to hear what he had to say, and in the process, lavish gifts were given to him. His wisdom was truly a gift from GOD. But like everything, and just like he wrote, Solomon’s life would end, and another season would come for Israel. Solomon’s wisdom, however, would be passed down from generation to generation through the pages of the Bible. As his life progressed and his search for more wisdom took place he decided to write down what he had learned in the process. His writings include most of the book of Proverbs and the book of Ecclesiastes. Both of these books are packed full of wisdom that when applied can be life changing. Here in chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes, we find a very valuable statement being made. There is a season for everything. A time that GOD has put into the cycle for every aspect of what needs to take place. HIS sovereignty and understanding of us is way better than our own understanding of who we are. Even though it may seem like Solomon is just repeating himself over and over what he is saying is GOD knows exactly what you need and when you need it. He is saying GOD knows the beginning of your life, and even to that there is a season, you won’t be young forever at some point, in the seasons that GOD has marked out for you death will come. I would like to note how he starts this statement. “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Again what Solomon is saying is that GOD knows exactly what it’s going to take between the very next statement to get you where HE wants you. “A time to be born and a time to die.” Everything that happens in between those two moments is all part of a master plan to get you to exactly where HE wants you. Honestly, I could continue to define every moment and the purpose for it, but the fact is, every bit of his design is to get you to look up. As Solomon continues in Ecclesiastes chapter 3 in verses 9 through 15 he talks about GOD given tasks and how HE only shows you what is necessary to get you from one season to the next. From one time in your life to the next. Every moment every season is a gift from GOD. Solomon says that HE has placed eternity on our hearts. It’s something that is in the very core of our being. Everything is inside HIS sovereignty. The word sovereignty means supreme power and authority. As Solomon teaches us about every season we face is designed to draw us closer to GOD.
Application:
As my life has changed from the time I was born to the season I am in now. I can see how the LORD has shaped and molded every bite of who I am becoming, and that there is a reason for every season. From the leveling of pride to the existence of a love in my heart for HIS word. Every moment of my life has drawn me to HIM. Now, honestly, that’s a little hard to comprehend if we are in a hard time. It’s pretty easy to look up and not understand why we are where we are at the moment. But I want to tell you that nothing escapes GOD’S sovereignty. That’s something we need to have locked in our minds. HE is all-powerful, all-knowing, and nothing happens without His say-so. As we look at that statement. A lot of people would say…. but why would a GOD of love allow innocent people to die, and honestly I’m not going to sit here and tell you I know the answer to that question. I’m not GOD and only HE knows the purpose of HIS plan. What I do know is that we are all a part of the HIS plan, and it’s so much bigger than we will ever be able to comprehend. To think we will be able to figure it out is a very grandiose idea. To think that we can know everything about the one who created heaven, earth, and everything in between is beyond our comprehension. That’s part of the reason I just couldn’t sign on for the A.A. and N.A. program. The GOD that I read about in the Bible is bigger than my understanding. He brings the dead back to life, parts the sea, and makes the sun stand still. For me to try to explain those things is too much. But HE did them. Here is what we need to know about GOD… are you ready…. I’m going to reveal a riveting secret. HE has used right where we need to be right now, and when we are ready for the next season of our life HE will move us. As the end of Jobs’ story is presented. In chapter 38 the LORD shows up, with some questions of HIS own. 37 chapters of Job and his friends trying to explain what GOD is doing, and finally GOD says something. “Where were you when “I” set the earth on it’s axle? Where were you when “I” marked out the sea and told it how far it could come?” GOD has placed everything where it is for his purpose and we are where we are as part of that plan. But this moment in our lives will pass whether its good or bad it will pass. No matter where you are right now, it is a season its either time to grow, time to rest, time to move, or time to stay still, but one things its always time for is to seek HIS will and hear HIS direction for your life. GOD has you in this season because it’s where you need to be. If it’s good right now, thank HIM, and if it’s not so good, thank HIM. HE is either growing you, pruning you, or harvesting the fruit that has been grown as the rest of where HE had you. Whether you are comfortable or uncomfortable His sovereign will is taking place embrace the season you are in.
Prayer:
Father, we may not understand all there is to know about you, and honestly, I’m sure we never will until we are face to face with you. You are so much more than the boxes we try to put you in. So much bigger than we can ever fully understand. Honestly, all we can ask is that we learn whatever we need to as painlessly as possible inside the season you have us in. What we want to do this morning is thank you for every moment we face. The moments of growth and the moments of silence. As we look at the very small portion of time that is our life. Help us to see that it’s all about you. Every blessing and every trial. It all serves your greater plan. A plan that involves us seeking you with all of our hearts. We are yours. You have bought us with a price that can not be repaid, and for that we are grateful. You are sovereign and we surrender our lives to your sovereignty. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.