Week 13 - March 23-29, 2025: A Time for Everything

This week’s daily readings:

March 23-29, 2025

This week’s devotional:

A Time for Everything 

by Kim Loehr

Scripture:

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens: 

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
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 from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace. 

— Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV) 

Reflection:

I find great solace in this Scripture written by King Solomon. It reminds me that whatever is happening in my life, or with my family and friends, or in the world, that God is in control. Verse 2 lets me know that my time to be born, as well as my time to die, is known to God. It is not an accident that I live during this time. When I face something difficult in life, or when I look around at the chaos in the world, this passage reminds me that God is in control. God’s timing and sovereignty is in all things.

After Solomon was made king of Israel, God appeared to King Solomon in a dream and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (1 Kings 3:5) Solomon did not ask for wealth or power, he asked for wisdom and an understanding heart. That Solomon should write this piece of Scripture demonstrates the wisdom bestowed on Solomon by God. God was pleased with Solomon’s request, and so he also received honor, wealth, and power. However, as time passed, Solomon did not live in a righteous manner before the Lord, and God removed his many blessings. This example strengthens my desire to follow the Lord Jesus and try to be obedient to God’s word. I depend on the Holy Spirit to help me because I know that, without the righteousness of Christ, I can do nothing.

The Apostle Paul writes, “…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy 1:15) I understand this sentiment completely. I don’t need the Bible to tell me that, given my own way, my heart is wicked, and maybe some of you don’t either. But God is kind and patient and good beyond reason! God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die an unmerited and horrible death on the cross so that each one of us may be redeemed from that wicked heart and a life of sin. All we must do is ask Jesus to come into our hearts and cleanse us, and then we must follow the Lord’s ways.

Prayer:

Lord, we know you love us and care for us more than we can ever understand. Thank you for using Solomon to share great wisdom and comfort for the ages. Let us learn from Solomon’s life that our provision and protection can only come by following you. God, I ask for your forgiveness and humble myself to you as I ask to start over again and again. We certainly see that there is a time for everything in our lives and that you are always right in the middle of it! Amen.