Daily Bible Study

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Day 3 Ecclesiastes 3 Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. 9 What profit hath he that works in that wherein he labors? 10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11 He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end. 12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God. 14 I know that, whatsoever God does, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God does it, that men should fear before him. 15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requires that which is past. 16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. 17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. 18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. 19 For that which befalls the sons of men befalls beasts; even one thing befalls them: as the one dies, so dies the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. 20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 21 Who knows the spirit of man that goes upward, and the spirit of the beast that goes downward to the earth? 22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him? Life is full of many emotions, conflicts, wars, sorrows, love, joy, and peace. Everywhere you turn life is doing something. Life gives you an opportunity to embrace it, express it, and take part of it. Life has a purpose. Solomon saw all the ways life happens. He experienced all of it, even war. As his father’s son, he saw the many conflicts, he saw the hate, and he saw the love people had for each other. What has your experience been? Has life been good to you? Have you seen your share of trouble, burdens, sorrow? Have you sent your sons to war? Have they come home? Have you held a newborn baby in your arms? Have you felt the love between husband and wife, parent, and child? It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, what religion you practice, where you call home, everyone will experience life. Jesus said he came to give us life, abundant life. As Christians, you know Satan wants to steal that life from you, and destroy everything you worked hard for, destroy your family, your children, everything you hold dear. John 10:10 The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Jesus, in speaking about his death and what was to come, told the disciples they would have sorrow and tribulation in this life, but not to lose their joy, because he overcame the world. John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (KJV) With so much conflict in the world today, with the world in chaos, you need to look for your purpose in this life. You need to embrace it. You need to keep your joy. If you don’t, Satan will steal it. Many years ago, there was a group called the Byrds. They sang a popular song back in the 70’s when life was not quite as stressful and chaotic as it is today, but still there was conflict. We had the Vietnam War conflict, riots in the streets, people didn’t know who to turn to, or who they could trust. The words to this song are the first verses of this passage. I hope you will click on the link and listen to a song that is just as relevant today as it was when it first hit the airwaves. Let’s Pray: Father, help me embrace the life you gave me. Help me see your hand in it, and the purpose each day brings. Help me stand against Satan and his design for my life, and look to you, the author and perfecter of my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 3 August 2017 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay