A Time For Everything- Part 1
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what 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 seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, 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 for war, and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (English Standard Version, ESV)
The Bible tells us that life has its seasons and that there is an appropriate time for everything.
A Time to be Born
Psalm 139 tells us that God planned our lives and wrote them in a book. He planned for you to be alive and here for such a time as this. He also noted when you would be born again.
A Time to Die
God know when we will breathe our last breath. Moses wrote in Psalm 90 that the children of Isael would only live 70 or 80 years because of their unbelief and sin (Psalm 90:10). According to Genesis 6:3, in Noah’s day, God promised man a lifespan of only 120 years. This was the limit given because of sinful man and the ferocious giants roaming the earth at that time. Since then, He has promised we can live until we are satisfied (Psalm 91:16). In other words, we can live as long as we faith for.
A Time to Plant
There is a time to sow and a time to harvest what was sown. We must know when to sow and when to withold our seed so as not to cast our pearls before swine.
A Time to Pluck Up What is Planted
If we plant something and see a bad tree or plant grow up, we can use our words to pluck it up and command it to be cast into the sea. Then, we can start over. Seedtime and harvest remain.
A Time to Kill
God is not opposed to fighting to win a war. He caused Israel to win many wars by killing their enemies. According to the law, He is not opposed to self-defense, and He is not opposed to capital punishment. Killing is sometimes necessary for the removal of wickedness.
A Time to Heal
God is our Healer. He heals us physically and also in our souls. There are times we can get so hurt that we feel like we’ve died inside. We need Him to heal us. For example, we may need healing from broken relationships, unrealized dreams, etc.
A Time to Break Down
We are to break bown strongholds. We are to tear down and remove evil, habits, and wrong mindsets and attitudes. We do this by our authority in Jesus’ name. These things can prevent us from moving into the next season.
A Time to Build Up
People tear down old buildings to build new ones. When we get rid of wrong things in our lives, we must be ready to build again to erect good things in their place. The Word of God and praying in the Spirit builds us up.
A Time to Weep
God does not want us sad and depressed, but there is a time to weep over sin and sinners. We are to have a heart to win the lost.
A Time to Laugh
We are to be full of joy, and we rejoice when good things happen to our brothers and sisters in the Lord. We also rejoice when people get saved. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
A Time to Mourn
We may mourn when a loved one dies, but such mourning should not last. We may mourn over sin and its toll on the earth, but we know it will not stay that way.
A Time to Dance
We are to dance and praise God. Every season is a season for praising God, because He is always worthy of our praise no matter the circumstances.
A Time to Cast Away Stones
We must learn when to let go.
A Time to Gather Stones Together
We must learn when to hold on.
Tomorrow, we will continue to look at the times and seasons of our lives.
