My Thoughts on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Today's reading from the Tecarta Bible is Ecclesiastes 3. I decided to focus on the first eight verses for my reflection today:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 
To every thing 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.

There's a time for everything. You can see how the cycle goes with life itself. We notice how these eight verses tell us that both good times and bad times happen for a reason. Both of them are necessary as long as we're in this fallen world.

Why do the cycles to destroy happen? We need to consider that everything bad that happens today is a consequence of Adam's sin. It does sound unfair we suffer for Adam's sin. However, we all are tainted by Adam's sin. To ignore the reality of original sin is a heresy. Romans 5:12 that we all got that sin from one man. Remember God held Adam and not Eve more responsible. Adam was in-charge of Eve which makes the sin even heavier on Adam's part. 

I think about a lot of stuff theologically when God allows bad times to happen. Did Jesus my Lord and Savior promise me an easy life or did He tell me to carry my cross? Did Jesus say that life will be easy if I follow Him or did He warn of dangers? Am I too focused on this temporal life or am I looking forward to the eternal? Did Jesus have a good life on this Earth or did unrepentant sinners hate Him? Also, did I forget that God gives Satan permission for a reason?

1 Peter 1:7-8 
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1 Peter 4:12-13 
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

So why should I be surprised bad times happen? If anything, the mockery I got that it's God's will I fail or I suffer carries some truth no matter how unsaved the mocker was. David even acknowledged i n2 Samuel 16 that God allowed the cursing to happen. God allows me to be mocked for a reason. God allows wicked me to harass His own for a reason. It's really a purifying process. David said in Psalm 30:6 that he felt he was invincible in times of prosperity. It's very easy for me to say bad times will never happen as long as I'm too comfortable. God had chastised me many times for saying that and I thank Him for it. It has kept me humble.

The purposes of the bad times can also mean good times for the Christian. Just think that God has to destroy evil eventually. Painful and sorrowful times brings in more wisdom than times of ease. How often is it that said that the best players are tried in adversity? The best businesses are those that endure and survive competition. The best soldiers are those that are set to the hardest trials. Olives need to be crushed before olive oil comes out. Olive oil needs to be purified before it can be the best olive. Times of pain help make the best person. Wisdom is not acquired by head knowledge alone but by experiences both good and bad. Romans 8:28 says that all things happen for good but only if you're in Christ. 

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