September 28, 2015
Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 (Good News Translation)
God’s Wise Word
Introduction
The book of Ecclesiastes contains the thoughts of “the Philosopher,” a man who reflected deeply on how short and contradictory human life is. The book’s opening verse (1:1), called a subscription, credits the words of the book to David’s son, which probably means Solomon, who ruled from 970 to 931 B.C. and who was known for his great wisdom. Today’s reading affirms that God has power over everything and is in control.
Today’s Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:14
I know that everything God does will last forever. You can’t add anything to it or take anything away from it. And one thing God does is to make us stand in awe of him.
Today’s Reading
A Time for Everything
1Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses.
2He sets the time for birth and the time for death,
the time for planting and the time for pulling up,
3the time for killing and the time for healing,
the time for tearing down and the time for building.
4He sets the time for sorrow and the time for joy,
the time for mourning and the time for dancing,
5the time for making love and the time for not making love,
the time for kissing and the time for not kissing.
6He sets the time for finding and the time for losing,
the time for saving and the time for throwing away,
7the time for tearing and the time for mending,
the time for silence and the time for talk.
8He sets the time for love and the time for hate,
the time for war and the time for peace.
9What do we gain from all our work?10I know the heavy burdens that God has laid on us.11He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does.12So I realized that all we can do is be happy and do the best we can while we are still alive.13All of us should eat and drink and enjoy what we have worked for. It is God's gift.
14I know that everything God does will last forever. You can't add anything to it or take anything away from it. And one thing God does is to make us stand in awe of him.15Whatever happens or can happen has already happened before. God makes the same thing happen again and again.
Reflect
The writer states that everything on earth has its own time and season and that God controls everything. How does such a philosophy affect the way you live your life? Do you find today’s reading to be a source of comfort? Why or why not?
Pray
I worship and praise you, most holy and awesome God. You are a righteous judge, and everything that happens in this world happens at the time you choose. I trust in your steadfast mercy and love. Amen.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 (Good News Translation)
God’s Wise Word
Introduction
The book of Ecclesiastes contains the thoughts of “the Philosopher,” a man who reflected deeply on how short and contradictory human life is. The book’s opening verse (1:1), called a subscription, credits the words of the book to David’s son, which probably means Solomon, who ruled from 970 to 931 B.C. and who was known for his great wisdom. Today’s reading affirms that God has power over everything and is in control.
Today’s Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:14
I know that everything God does will last forever. You can’t add anything to it or take anything away from it. And one thing God does is to make us stand in awe of him.
Today’s Reading
A Time for Everything
1Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses.
2He sets the time for birth and the time for death,
the time for planting and the time for pulling up,
3the time for killing and the time for healing,
the time for tearing down and the time for building.
4He sets the time for sorrow and the time for joy,
the time for mourning and the time for dancing,
5the time for making love and the time for not making love,
the time for kissing and the time for not kissing.
6He sets the time for finding and the time for losing,
the time for saving and the time for throwing away,
7the time for tearing and the time for mending,
the time for silence and the time for talk.
8He sets the time for love and the time for hate,
the time for war and the time for peace.
9What do we gain from all our work?10I know the heavy burdens that God has laid on us.11He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does.12So I realized that all we can do is be happy and do the best we can while we are still alive.13All of us should eat and drink and enjoy what we have worked for. It is God's gift.
14I know that everything God does will last forever. You can't add anything to it or take anything away from it. And one thing God does is to make us stand in awe of him.15Whatever happens or can happen has already happened before. God makes the same thing happen again and again.
Reflect
The writer states that everything on earth has its own time and season and that God controls everything. How does such a philosophy affect the way you live your life? Do you find today’s reading to be a source of comfort? Why or why not?
Pray
I worship and praise you, most holy and awesome God. You are a righteous judge, and everything that happens in this world happens at the time you choose. I trust in your steadfast mercy and love. Amen.