It does not come as a surprise to those who both know and love God that God appoints “times” (Heb. z^emān/ זְמָן) in our lives – “a time for every event under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). As time-bound human beings as we are, we must realize that all times are fixed by God over which we dare not say we control.  They are divinely appointed. Just consider the following proverb, “Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord, How then can man understand his way?” (Prov 20:24). In Jeremiah 10:23 we read, “I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.” Or if you really want to be humbled and awed at the same time, consider Proverbs 16:1 where Solomon writes, “The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.”  God governs plans, ways, words, time, let alone your very breath! Wow!  Thus it is no surprise that every event in life is calculated to remain only so long, thus they are specific, definite times that God has ordained (cf. Neh 2:6 – “definite”).  Some of these appointed times include birth, death, weeping, laughing, mourning, dancing, silence, speaking, love, and hate (Eccl 3:2-8). They are all part of life, life that is governed by God.

Yet despite of this eternal truth, how many of us wonder, “what are doing God?”  Perhaps we ask because we do not comprehend His thoughts, His ways (Is 55:8-9).  Let’s face it, there are desirable events in life and undesirable events in life, but God has appointed them all.  In Ecclesiastes 3:11 we read, “He has made everything appropriate in its time.” It might surprise you that the word translated as “appropriate” (Heb. yā∙p̄ě(h)/יָפֶה) is literally the word, “beautiful.”  Even in this cursed universe, God has made everything beautiful in its time. It is the futility of heart that fails to trust the sovereign wisdom of God.  Yet my beloved, He knows what He is doing!

As Augustine once said, “Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.” The whole universe cannot satisfy us.  You were born with something greater than any single event/experience in this fallen world.  You were made with “eternity in [your] heart” (Eccl 3:11).  You were made for “the eternal God [who is] a dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut 33:27).  Thus my plea to all, come to Jesus.  Come anchor your soul in Him.  Despite the “time” you find yourself in now, come to Him now.  To you who doubt “what God is doing,” come to Him, come to His dwelling place, come to His everlasting arms.  He will not cast out those who come to Him.  He will not forsake you.  Come to the truth of God. He is sovereign, He is powerful, He is able, He governs and thus is familiar with all your ways.  Surrender and thus be “happy in [your] activities” (Ecc 3:22).  Can I get an amen?