March 21, 2023 – Reflection on “Seasons, All Things Beautiful!”
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also, that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man. Ecclesiastes 3:11-13.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. Genesis 1:3-5. God created time and the first day. He has appointed times. The scriptures continue, and with feasts, months became a reality.
King Solomon, one of the wisest men, understood the times, God has appointed.
> a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
> a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
> a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
> a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
> a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
> a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
> a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:2-8.
God gives us one opportunity to know Him during our life on earth, and to receive His gift of salvation. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19. And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You. Psalm 39:7. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13. It is when we believe, with perseverance, endurance, and patience, we find Joy. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8.
Mother insisted I memorize the first verses of Psalm 121:1-3. There I found the wondrous promise of the Presence of God: I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.
The God who created the stars in the sky and named them all, knows the number of hairs on my head, and every thought I have before I say it, is always present and forgives me. We are drawn to what is new, and in following Jesus, we know these verses are true.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19.
We have seen the beginning, and God has appointed the end, when Jesus will come for those who follow Him with their minds, soul, and hearts. “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelations 22:12-13.
Whose desires do you follow? This determines whose we are. God provides moments of heartache, calling us back to Him. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4.
God’s appointed times are our seasons, including feelings of grief and celebration. And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:28-29.
Even as we plant the seeds God created, we expect a bountiful harvest in due time. God plants His Word of salvation through Jesus Christ in our hearts.
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2.