SCRIPTURE: ECCLESIASTES 3
MEMORY VERSES:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3.:1)
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
“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)
“Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.” (Ecclesiastes 3:15)
“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)
“So I saw that there is nothing beyter 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 (vs. 1-22)
A TIME FOR EVRYTHING AND A SEASON FOR EVERY ACTIVITY UNDER HEAVEN:
- 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
WHAT THE AUTHOR KNEW:
- God has laid burden n men. (v. 10)
- God sets eternity in the hearts of men. (v. 11)
- It is better for men to be happy and do good while they live. (vs. 12)
- Eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his toil. (v. 13)
- Everything that God does will endure forever. (v. 14)
- God will call the past to account. (v. 15)
- Wickedness was present in the place of judgment and justice. (v. 16)
- God will bring both the righteous and the wicked to judgment. (v. 17a)
- There will be a time for every activity and a time for every deed. (v. 17b)
- Man’s fate is like that of the animals. Everything is meaningless. (v. 19)
- All come from dust and to dust all returned. (v. 20)
- Who knows if the spirit o man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth? (v. 21)
- There is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because this is his lot. (v. 22)
THOUGHTS:
Solomon reminded us that God is in control of our lives and keeps a balance for everything. (vs. 1-9)
Timing is important. Everything has its own time. If we do not wait for God’s time and move ahead, it will lead us to despair and rebellion. Never resent or doubt God’s timing because God is going to bring beauty and happiness. This principle will give us strength during trials. If you do not wait for God’s time and move ahead, it will lead you to despair and rebellion. Never resent or doubt God’s timing because the secret to peace with God is to accept God’s perfect timing.
Man’s fate is like that of an animal. All comes from dust and will return to dust. But the spirit of man rises upward to meet God while the spirit of animals does down into the earth. What makes us different from animals is that God has eternally planted in our hearts. But we can only discover God’s purpose for our lives by building a relationship with Him and seek his guidance.
HOW TO FIND SATISFACTION IN YOUR WORK?
- It is God who gives us the work to do.
- The fruit of our labor is a gift from God.
- Our work is a way to serve God.
We must realize that real pleasure is found in enjoying whatever you have as gift from God not in what you accumulate.
The purpose of life starts with whom we know, not what we know or how good we are. To know God is to fear him: respect, revere, and give him the first place in your life..