Text: Proverbs 25:16&17; Ecclesiastes 8:1-7
Memory Verse: “Because for every matter there is a time and judgement, though the misery of man increases greatly” (Ecclesiastes 8:6).
There is a purpose for and value in everything. This is a fact that we often overlook to our detriment. Our responsibility is to understand the purpose and timing of things. “How wonderful to be wise, to analyse and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness” (Ecclesiastes 8:2 NLT). There is nothing so good that cannot become bad when misapplied. Anything may become a problem when done wrongly.
God warns us against illicit sex, drunkenness, gluttony, indiscipline, recklessness etc. The process of delivery is as important as the purpose. “He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it will be
counted as a curse to him” (Proverbs 27:14). In the same way, what appears bad may be used for a good purpose, if applied correctly. Poison eliminates weeds and pests. Unfortunately, men deliberately misapply substances to their own detriment just like the poison. This is seen everywhere; our worship of the creature instead of God, the inordinate pursuit of money and the unnatural use of parts of the body for sexual activities (Romans 1:22- 27).
There is a divine plan and procedure for all things. You are wise only when you identify the purpose of God and follow His procedure. There are things you must do during the day and things you must do at night. There is time to work and a time to rest. Whatever you do must meet a need that glorifies God.
Prayer Points:
1. Lord, help me to know why, how, and when to do what I need to do.
2. Holy Spirit, help me to know how to apply all that God has given me appropriately.