Ancient Words For Today - 57
Solomon, perhaps the wisest and wealthiest man that has ever lived, wrote about the seasons and times that we all experience during our life - good times, hard times, joyful times and sad times. Here is what he said:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Regardless of what season or time of our life we may be in, it is important to remember that God has a very specific purpose in mind for our life and even the difficult circumstances that come into our life are in the control of God and are part of His divine plan. We may not be able to comprehend why God allows us to experience difficult and bad times, however there is a very important spiritual principle and promise to believers that we need to understand and trust in:
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:26-31
Towards the end of Solomon's life, he came to a very profound conclusion concerning the purpose for which God created man. He said: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
God wants us to be close to Him, to walk in His ways, and to trust Him in all the circumstances of our life, both good or bad. He is there to help us, guide us and provide for us, when we put our trust in Him. As believers in Jesus Christ, He also will perfect us and we will live in His loving presence for ever. AMEN!!