For Everything There Is A Season
(Making Your Life Matter)

Introduction:
I often wonder how King Solomon felt as he wrote the words to what we now know as Ecclesiastes chapter 3.  There is such wisdom in those verses, an actual lived wisdom not just something that he was taught with spoken words.  We know King Solomon for his great wisdom and riches that God gave to him.  Solomon was the son of King David and Bathsheba.  We know that he wrote Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes.  In Ecclesiastes, we see a different Solomon.  We see a man that has lived and had all that he has desired, but has seen and understood that everything under the sun is vanity.  He writes that in life there is a time and season for all things.  He writes in his wisdom and we know that with wisdom comes much responsibility and we are only here for a short time. Solomon probably much more than anyone else understood that only those things that we do for God are the things that really matter and are the things that will last and help others. 

Handout: For Everything There Is A Season

Solomon King of Israel, asked the LORD for wisdom to lead the people when he would be King. (1Kings 3).  That was a wise choice in itself.  We are instructed in God’s word to pray for wisdom from the LORD. 

James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and unbraideth not; and it shall be given to him.”

Wisdom has much benefit.  Proverbs 3 explains this.

Proverbs 3:13 “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.”

Proverbs 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.”

Proverbs 3:15 “She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.”

Proverbs 3:16 “Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.”

Proverbs 3:17 “Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.”

Proverbs 3:18 “She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.”

 

Solomon had great wisdom and riches and honor which the LORD gave to him because Solomon asked for wisdom instead of great riches.  However, with great wisdom, there is great responsibility.  The word of God tells us that to whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be required. (Luke 12:48)

God has a job for each of us to do while we are here.  It is so important to seek wisdom from Him and follow the Holy Spirit’s lead.  In reading the words of Solomon’s in Ecclesiastes one can feel the great wisdom and sorrow that he has known.  The great responsibility that he has held. 

Ecclesiastes 1:18 “For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.”

Solomon wasn’t regretting that he had wisdom, he just understood that with his great wisdom came great responsibility, and that this life is of sorrow and that the things of God are what bring peace and will last forever. 

In reading the first and second chapters, we see that Solomon has lived and he has accomplished many things.  He has gained great wealth.

Ecclesiastes 2:9 “So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

Ecclesiastes 2:10 “And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.”

So Solomon was great.  He was King, and whatever he desired he would get.  Let us find out what all of these things did for him.

Ecclesiastes 2:11 “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

Solomon had learned a great lesson, that the material things that we have here, are just temporary.  They will pass away.  While they may bring joy to us, in the end, they really profit us nothing. 

Matthew 6:20 “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”

Knowing the LORD and the things we do for God are the things that will last forever.  They are the things that make the greatest impact on us and on others around us.  It isn’t wrong to have things.  However, one must understand that material things are not what are important.  The things of God are what really matter in the end.  Don’t spend your life working and toiling for material things thinking they will bring you joy, while neglecting the things of God.  In the end, those things will burn up. 

Solomon accomplished a lot of good things in his time.  All the wealth that he gained is now gone from him.  However, notice that his words of Wisdom from God still remain and they have taught generation after generation in God’s word.  That is the true treasure. 

In Ecclesiastes 3 Solomon writes,
 1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
 2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which 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 together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
 6. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
 7. A time to rend, 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.
 9.What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
 10. I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
 11. 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.
There is a time for all things.  When we are born and young we sometimes do not see the things that lay ahead.  We do not think about dying, but the time will come.  Death is sure.  It knows not respect of persons or age.  People die at all ages. 
Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
Have you laid up treasures in heaven?  Even if you get to live to be 100 years old, what is that compared to eternity?  It is nothing.  We have but a short time on this earth, we journey here to our Soul’s final destination.  
Think about your life, are you giving God praise?  Are you making your life count and matter?  Jesus came so that we could have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10), are you reaping that benefit and living your life in praise and glory to the Father?
 If you have not received Christ and salvation you can now.  All you have to do is realize and know that you are lost and without JESUS you will have to die in your sins.  Ask God to forgive your sins and ask Jesus to be the LORD of your life.  Commit to follow him and to make your life count for something while you are here. 
You may have already accepted Christ but you are not really following him or trying to make your life count.  You can change.  You can start following Christ’s example now and you can live in the plans God has for you.  Make that commitment and get in God’s word.  Ask HIM for wisdom and to show you what you need to do.   Develop an intimate relationship with him through prayer.  The more you seek God the more you can know Him.
James 4:8 “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse you hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Life here is a journey, full of laughter, sometimes tears, wars, peace, trouble, dancing.  We all must go through hard times as well as we all will have good times. 
Job wrote, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1)
However, Jesus came that we could enjoy our lives here and God is our refuge in times of sorrow.  Those who do not have the LORD must deal with sorrow and they go it alone.  We that have believed and accepted Christ, we are never alone. 
Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 9:9 “The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”
Psalm 50:15 “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”
Psalm 54:7 “For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.”
One day all of this will be over.  We will be with our LORD forever.  All our sorrow and troubles will be over.  We will be in perfect paradise with our Father.  He will wipe away all tears and we will never again know pain.  However, we are placed here on Earth for a season and for a reason and while we are here, we can make our lives count through Christ.  We can be a light to a lost and dying world in darkness.  We can be trophies of grace.  We can show others the way to our sweet Jesus, the way to everlasting life and peace.  Through Christ we can enjoy our lives now, we can enjoy the journey.
Life is so unpredictable and full of uncertainties, but we can cling to the Father who is forever, he is faithful, he is certain and he changes not.  His promises are true.
Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
We can build a solid foundation on Christ, the rock of our salvation.  Through him, we can make our lives count.  Through him, we can lay up treasures in heaven.  Through Jesus we can leave behind a testimony and a legacy that will last forever.  It’s all about him.  For everything there is a season, and in each time of our lives we can live in honor and glorify our Father who is the creator of all seasons and holds us safe in his hands.
Reminder:  Remember to love one another and serve others in the attitude of Christ.
Prayer:
Dear Righteous Heavenly Father…
Thank you for making a way that our lives can count through Jesus.  You are a God of all wisdom and understanding.  We ask that you give us wisdom and understanding so that we can follow your ways and do as you would have us to do.  We understand that without you life is nothing.  Without you we are nothing and all is vanity and will pass away.  We understand that only those things that are about you and of you are the things will bring us great joy, peace, and those are the things that will last and will make our lives count in helping others.  We ask that you help us to always understand this and live by it.  Thank you for your many blessings and for being our ever present comfort, counselor, and our refuge and safe place.  Help us to always look to you and cling to you.  Father, we ask that you watch over and protect us and our families and loved ones another week as we live to honor and glorify you.  We love you, praise you and will forever give you all the honor and glory due to you.  In JESUS lovely name we pray.  AMEN.

God Bless You All…
~*Cindygirl*~
January 10, 2023