[:en]SCRIPTURE: ECCLESIATES 3
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
“I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil – this is the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)
“God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed” (Ecclesiastes 3:17)
“Man’s fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath, man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust and to dust all return” (Ecclesiastes 3:19-20)
“So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?” (Ecclesiastes 3:22)
A TIME FOR EVERYTHING
To be born/to die; To plant/to uproot; To kill/to heal; To tear down/to build; To weep/to laugh; To mourn/to dance; To scatter stones/to gather them; To embrace/to refrain; To search/to give up; To keep/to throw away; To tear/to mend; To be silent/to speak; To love/to hate; For war/for peace
We can never explain God’s work. But we should learn to accept and enjoy what we have. The things of this world can never really satisfy us. So, let us find God’s will and live according to what his purpose is in our lives.
Life has its balances. So, do not see only one side of the situation. Solomon mentioned the contrasts to remind us that God is in control of life to keep everything in balance. If we encounter the positive side, thank God for all that He gives and enjoy today. If we encounter the negative side, submit to His will and place our hope in eternity.
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED FROM THE SERMON OF REV. JEREMIAH CHEUNG FROM CBCP (Christian Bible Church of the Philippines)
TWO DIFFERENT CONCEPTS OF TIME
I)- A Concept of time that includes God (3:1-15)
There is a time and season for all creation under heaven. Everything is beautiful in its time under His sovereign control. People that has God in their hearts have hope in eternity. They live their lives under God’s laws because they believe there is judgment in the after life.
II)- A Concept of time that excludes God (3:16-22)
There is wickedness both in place of judgment and in place of justice under the sun. People try to make the best choice and enjoy life because they believe that if life is over, everything is finished.
FOUR IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES TO ADHERE:
- We must do appropriate things at the appropriate time.
- We must follow God’s laws in our lives
- God’s arrangement are meant to give people hope
- Life consists of both the positive and the negative. This is the reality of life.
CONCLUSION:
There is a time for everything. Use your time wisely. There are positive and negative things in life. When things are going well, enjoy it. When things are going bad, consider it as God’s will to train us into maturity. All of us come from dust, and to dust all return. But those who have God has hope in eternity.[:]