Dear Ones:
In the book of Ecclesiastes 3:1, we read, “To everything there is a season, and a TIME to every purpose under heaven.” In our consideration of the matter of time, do we associate it with the subject of “purpose?” And in those confines of time, how do we KNOW the purpose…the purpose of God “under the heaven?” When we read further in this third chapter, the author declares, “I KNOW that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear Him.” (v. 14) So, here we have the issue of time, of purpose, and the work of God. How are we to grasp not only the significance and importance of these matters, but live “solidly,” with great assurance, in light of eternity. The writer goes on to say, “…there is a time for every purpose and for every work (he was referring to God as the author and finisher of every work). Certainly, God would have us understand His ways as we consider these matters.
During the ministry of Christ, there were those who asked, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” Here we have folk who are subject to “time” as we are. They are faced with their eternal purpose, and to some extent, understanding that, only what God does will last for eternity. Hence the question: “What shall we DO, that we might work the works of God?” You would think that the Lord Jesus would answer them by an in-depth discourse on the intricacies, and complexities of “works.” He doesn’t. He only responds: “This is the work of God, that ye BELIEVE on Him whom He hath sent.” (John 6:29) The basis for which Christ declares this is very simple. God(Christ) is the beginning and the end, the everlasting, and living Word, Creator and Sustainer in life, Lord and King. All consideration of life and purpose begins and ends in Him. So, what other solution could there ever be but to BELIEVE Him?
In coming back to Ecclesiastes, we are faced with the fact that, there is a time, and it is now. There is a purpose, an eternal one, and it is revealed to us IN Christ. And there are works that will last, when those works are produced in us by the Spirit, as we walk in faith and obedience, BELIEVING. Let us remember that the greatest affront to the character and sovereignty of God is the refusal to believe Him. But that which pleases Him, and always will, is faith. (Heb. 11:6)
Again, it was David Livingstone who wrote:
“I only have one life, and that will soon be past; I want my life to count for Christ, What’s done BY Him will last.”
So, today, let us set ourselves to believe God…simply, and whole-heartedly, to believe God. Then time will be used well, and His purpose will be accomplished in and through us…for His glory.
Love, Dad