Daily Devotional: Tuesday, Nov 24
Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Dangerous Dreams
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Run by Hillsong United; The Time Has Come by Hillsong United; Cannons by Phil Wickham; Hosanna by Hillsong United.
Read: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; James 1:5-6: Proverbs 16:23
Think: If you are over 50 you probably remember a number one song on the pop charts called Turn, Turn, Turn by the Byrds. It was originally composed to music by Pete Seeger and the lyrics were almost entirely a rendition of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. In the 1960's it served as an anthem for peace and a rejection of the war in Southeast Asia (Vietnam). Since it was believed to have been authored by King Solomon you might say it is the oldest number one song ever recorded!!
I love this passage of scripture as a reminder of the very natural order that God has placed in our lives.
1 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven"
Sometimes I fail to acknowledge the season that God has me in. Am I being pruned as we do each winter with our trees, so that I may become stronger and more fruitful in the spring or summer? Am I growing impatient because I want to see the results immediately, and yet God knows I have much seasoning to experience? Read again what it says in verse 1: "a season for every activity under heaven." We can get out of sync and discouraged with God when we expect flowers and bountiful crops in the winter of our lives, rather than delighting in His absolute love and care for us in His time, in the right season.
These verses also speak of discernment. Not surprising that this came from Solomon, a King who asked God for wisdom, and was granted special favor by God.
"a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away..."
The verses above speak of the appropriateness of certain activities. We know that weeping and laughter are certainly emotions which unto themselves are perfectly part of God's design, however we can all think of occasions where they would not be wise or acceptable in the moment. Knowing when something is appropriate and when it is not is one of God's greatest gifts. Without question some of my biggest blunders and embarrassments in life came when my actions unto themselves were perfectly acceptable, but my timing was not. As I reflect back on these times I am certain that I did not humble myself and ask God for the wisdom I most certainly lacked (James 1:5-6). I am thankful that God's grace has carried me through many a poor decision when I failed to seek His wisdom first.
As I sit around the Thanksgiving table this Thursday you can bet that one of my prayers is to ask God for wisdom....while a time to speak and a time to remain quiet may not have been one of Solomon's precepts in Ecclesiastes he (Solomon) gets pretty darn close in Proverbs 16:23:
A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.
Do: Take a look at the season of your life. Be honest about it, not wishful. Ask yourself whether you are doing what is necessary in this season, it may be weeping and mourning, it may be joy and laughter, it may be searching, or it may be time to give something up. Ask God for discernment and wisdom as you examine this season.
Pray: Lord God you have perfectly ordered this world. Help me to know and accept the seasons you have for me in my life. Help me to find you, to know you, no matter the season. I seek you and love you with all my heart. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church. |
