Ep.1107: Why Does Time Matter in God’s Plan?
Establishing what the timeline of God’s plan looks like
CHAPTERS
Theme Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1
Life is often measured by time. Our society is hyperfocused on immediate gratification, which means we don’t want to have to wait. We don’t want to have any interval pass before we get what we want. We have scheduled events, appointments, work hours, lunch breaks and periods for sleep. All of these things are time-driven. We celebrate birthdays, holidays and vacations - all of which are driven by the calendar – a tool for measuring time. With such a complete dependency on the clock, what would make us think God’s plan for humanity is any different? How often do we hear people complain that if God exists and is all powerful, why doesn’t He….? Let’s look at time, seasons and ages and what parts they play in God’s master plan!
While Solomon’s wisdom seems to be leaning towards an “It doesn’t really matter what we do” kind of thinking, let’s consider another approach. In verses 16 and 17, he reveals that wickedness is rampant in its dominance of righteousness but God is going to judge both. This is significant for two reasons. First, it adds a measure of responsibility to each of our actions. Second, it gives us an assurance of God’s awareness. The world is barreling down the road of self-destructive and egotistical thinking and actions. Solomon is saying, in spite of this, it is all within the power and permission of God Himself.
Looking through God's eyes
Now, if we go back and look at all of the things Solomon said had their time, we can see them with different eyes. What if we began this review with the conclusion that God has everything in control? We could then read there is “a time to kill and a time to heal” in the context of God’s timing and not our own. It is so easy to see things like killing, hatred, weeping and mourning and become exasperated…and even hopeless. After all, we look back over our own lives and the lives of those before us, and it’s always the same and never gets better!
Check out our January 6, 2020 podcast, “Why Does Time Matter in God’s Plan?” for more. We break down each comparison Solomon makes. Then we put them all into the context of prophecy and God’s plan. A coherent story is told. It is not only a story of the unfolding of God’s plan, it is also a reminder of God’s time clock. Death, dismay and destruction all look different through the eyes of eternity!
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