REFLECTIONS ON ECCLESIASTES THREE

Key Verse: A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; Ecclesiastes 3:6B

The world God created was beautiful, and everything in it worked well. There were no threats to the ecology because the man was diligent in keeping and dressing the garden. Due to the inconsiderate use of the earth’s natural resources and neglect of geological order, many ecological disasters are in the news daily. Keep the world around you, and learn to reuse, recycle and dispose of waste properly.

And the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. Genesis 2:15(KJV) 

 It is natural to want to keep beautiful things like a bunch of sweet-smelling Roses until they are withered. Casting away things when they are no longer valuable is easy, but learning to cast away good things because the Lord commands them is a sign of spiritual maturity.

Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. Genesis 21:10,12-14(KJV)

There are relationships we need to cast away to stay in God’s will, and offers of great economic value can get you into trouble with God. There is a time to keep and a time to cast away.

And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: Genesis 4:2,4 

Though Abel was a keeper of sheep, he discerned the appropriate time to cast his sheep on God’s altar. Saving money and investing is good, but are you spiritually sensitive to know when God has determined that you must release that money to kingdom assignments? Noah had to pick a specific number of each kind of animal to preserve in the ark, but after the flood dried up, he didn’t wait for God to request a thanksgiving offering before he offered it to him.

You don’t always have to rationalize if what is left will be sufficient for your plans; instead, seek God’s will to know if it is the time to keep or cast away. Casting what we have to the Lord always results in receiving an abundance after many days. 

 And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. Genesis 8: 20(KJV)

“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22(KJV)

Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11:1(KJV)

 We must continue to keep covenants with God. God is faithful to his promises and covenants. The covenant he made with Abraham is the reason for the circumcision of males. If you have entered a covenant with God on behalf of your family, share it with your children so that the blessings of that agreement will become generational.

This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. Genesis 17:10(KJV)

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. Genesis 18:19(KJV)

Give time and effort to keep God\’s commandments as you would do to keep fit. There are statutes, judgments, and ordinances God expects us to keep; there are benefits in knowing and keeping them. The book of Leviticus provides the details. 

But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Luke 8:15(KJV)

The secret to spiritual growth and fruitfulness is the ability to hear God’s word and keep it in your heart till you understand and obey it. It is more important to work hard at keeping the word you have received than subscribing to many local and international ministries without obeying anything they are teaching. 

But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. Luke 11:28(KJV)

God has promised to give his angels charge to keep us from harm; we must not be afraid to stand up for our faith because we do not want to lose our jobs or even our lives. Avoiding stress while serving God is the wrong way to keep your life.

And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and cast out the wheat into the sea. Acts 27:38(KJV)

In life’s journey, we sometimes face storms that defy professional solutions. We need a word from God and knowledge of things to let go of so we can land safely on the shore. We must not hold on tightly to things; they are temporary and will pass away someday. Let us seek to save lives and have eternal perspectives. 

Cast all your cares on God. He can handle any situation, no matter how complex. You will find peace and rest when you leave your case in the hand of the judge of all the earth.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7(KJV)

Prayer

Father, I surrender my all to you to keep; I know you are able and faithful to keep it to the end. Help me discern what you want me to keep and what l should cast away in Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Ada  

Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash