Thought for the Week: Eccl 3

God Had A Time For Every Purpose

Making sense out of life is not easy.
And this is the problem facing the
preacher as he thinks through what
he has seen and experienced in life.
Every thing he has undertaken
from acquiring wisdom to amassing
wealth has ended in emptiness.
In a sudden burst of emotion the
preacher realises God does indeed
appoint the Times & purposes of life.

Lord, we will Wait for Your Timing:
For everything there is a season,
a Time for every purpose
under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
A time to be born & a time to die…
A time to weep & a time to laugh…
A time to keep and a time to
throw away… A time to keep
Silence and a time to Speak (v2-7).
He has made everything beautiful
in its time. He has also set eternity
in the hearts of men; yet they
can’t fathom what God has done
from beginning to end… There is
nothing better for men than to be
happy and do good while they live.
That everyone may eat and drink
and find satisfaction in all his toil
– this is the gift of God (v11-13).

Lord, You’re sovereign & do things
at Your Time to achieve Your plan,
including moulding our character.
Pray Lord for needed grace not to
extend the gruelling waiting time.
Enable me to recognise inner flaws;
and in Your mercy, remove defects
that keep me trapped in self will.
Grant me a character makeover so
that I can represent You well. Amen.

Lord, as human beings, we have a
keen sense of having the right time
in sharing advice or exciting news.
But when it comes to talking to God,
we tend to expect You to answer our
prayers or reveal Yr Will right away.
Waiting is hard & we don’t know how
to interpret rhythm of our dialogue.
Grant us Lord the patience to wait
and watch for Your words. Amen.

Lord, I realise that Your Timing
for things is not the same as mine.
I tend to desire all the answers to
prayers quickly; but You want me
to be very patient and wait on You.
So I lay my concerns before You
& leave the outcome in Your hands.
Help me to rest in the knowledge
that Your Timing is perfect, just as
everything You do is perfect. Amen.

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