Scripture: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
Observation: This book, thought to have been written by Solomon, explores the meaning of life. Ultimately, the writer states that the meaning of life is found in God. By having a reverential fear of God and obeying His Word, we will find the true meaning of and satisfaction in our lives.
Application: Letting God lead works great when things are progressing along as we desire, but when things don’t go as planned, we often take matters into our own hands. Often, when we yank the reins from God’s hands and assume control, we aren’t even aware of what we are doing! Truly if someone were to say to me, “Hey, you took control away from God!”, I’d be shaking my head in disbelief. Surely, I wouldn’t try to usurp God’s control… or would I?
It’s important to remember a few key things about God and about ourselves. First, God’s ways are beyond our comprehension. Isaiah 55:9 records God’s words, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God acts according to His time table, and it is the perfect time table. Nothing happens too soon or too late in God’s plan, but most of the time, my schedule doesn’t sync with the Lord’s. When I want something, I usually want it immediately, and then when I rush things, they don’t always end up well.
Secondly, I’m definitely not as smart as I’d like to think I am. 1 Corinthians 8:2 confirms this, “And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” It is much wiser to trust the plan to the One who knows it all! My vision is very limited, but God sees the big picture. He knows what is best, when it is best, and how best to allow events to come to fruition. To trust myself over Him is pure foolishness on my part.
Lastly, we are all here for a specific purpose that God has for each one of us. In Jeremiah 29:11, God states, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” He has a perfect plan for me and for you, and He has a perfect time for everything in our lives… everything! We need to trust God’s timing as He leads us through our lives.
We are each in a certain season of our lives, and it is vital that we allow God to lead us if we want to successfully navigate through it. Let’s be sure to let God take the lead, and purpose in our hearts to follow Him as closely as we possibly can this year.
Prayer: Dearest Father, how great Thou art! I am amazed that You think so much of me and have a perfect plan for me! Please help me surrender my will to You and follow You all the days of my life. Help me to trust You more and more each day. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
In his time, in his time, He makes all things beautiful in his time
Lord please show me everyday, as you're teaching me your way
That you do just what you say in your time
In your time, in your time. You make all things beautiful in your time
Lord my life to you I bring, may each song I have to sing
Be to you a lovely thing in your time
Lord please show me everyday as you’re teaching me your way
That you do just what you say in your time
(from “In His Time” by Linda Diane Ball)
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“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” – Habakkuk 2:3