To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).
All throughout the Bible, God has set seasons and times for everything. From Genesis to Revelation, God shows us what He does, what He has done, and what will be done. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:14-15,
I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him. That which is has already been, and what is to be has already been; and God requires an account of what is past.
'For Everything There Is a Season' Meaning
God gives us these seasons to build up and sanctify us. We all endure most of all of these seasons because God wills us to go through that which He has laid upon our lives. Whatever season you are in, it’s for a reason. We may never know these reasons, but as stated in Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, the Bible states,
I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor — it is the gift of God.
In all circumstances, God sets forth season after season just as the flowers grow and the leaves fall. In Psalm 104:19, the Bible states, “He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.”
God does what He does without us knowing the entire meaning of it all. God makes everything in season beautiful (Ecclesiastes 3:11), even in the darkest of seasons. Our fears tell us that we cannot manage this difficult season, in turn, we should give up.
But as Galatians 6:9 states, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” But most of all, do not give up, even in the circumstances that we got ourselves into. God has already made a way to return to the path He has set upon us (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Who Said 'For Everything There Is a Season'
King Solomon said this phrase. He wrote the book of Ecclesiastes as well as other books in Wisdom Literature such as Song of Solomon and Proverbs.
God Is All-Knowing
In Acts 1, Jesus Christ appears to the disciples and talks about the Holy Spirit coming upon them as He ascends to Heaven. The Holy Spirit is a gift promised from God (Acts 1:4).
As the disciples came together with Jesus, they asked if He would restore the kingdom of Israel. Jesus responded in Acts 1:7-8,
“It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
It seems that, like the disciples, we are not the only ones curious about what God is going to do now and in the future. As the Bible states, it's not for us to know when everything is going to occur. Our focus is now — in this season.
Have you ever wondered about what God is going to do in your life or the world? We all have. It’s for our own good that we do not know these things exactly, because what we focus on is what is on the forefront of our minds.
Rejoice in All Seasons
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable (Isaiah 40:28).
So, as the disciples were with Jesus in person, they were also with Him in spirit. There is a season for everything with our lives. Life can be very difficult to comprehend. Our understanding is so minor compared to God. So, why do we search beyond our understanding?
Why can’t we be satisfied in the season that we are in? Just as the serpent tricked Eve in the Garden of Eden, the enemy can seduce and trick us into believing that there is understanding beyond God’s knowledge.
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry (2 Timothy 4:1-5).
In 2 Timothy 4:2, the Bible states that we are to be “ready in season and out of season.” We are to obey God’s command to preach the Word to everyone in all seasons. There will be times that all will hear the Word and be saved. But also, there will be times that preaching God’s Word won’t satisfy everyone.
The Bible says that there will be people, even those who are saved, that will seek to satisfy their own desires. We see this now with the world today. But the point is to not seek knowledge nor satisfaction other than God Himself. Season by season, we will suffer, and we will have happiness. But as long we are focused on seeking God, obeying His commands, and loving Him, then we will be ok.
There is no telling when good things or terrible things will happen. For each season we learn what we are supposed to learn and do what we are supposed to do. Our life is for God and His kingdom. As we should keep our minds above rather than on this earth (Colossians 3:2).
A Prayer for All Seasons
Dear Father God,
Thank You for Your unfailing love for me, Your blessings, and goodness. Thank You for Your faithfulness to guide me and see me through times of uncertainty, for lifting me up, and setting me on high. Thank You for Scripture that comforts and reminds me of Your promises, plan, and provision. Thank you for taking away my fears and worries, the what-ifs, and reminding me that my help comes from You. Help me be a good steward and to sow wisely.
In Christ’s Name. Amen. (by Renee Davis)
Further Reading
The Hopeful Truth of the Verse "For Everything There Is a Season
What the Change of Seasons Shows Us About Our Faith
6 Spiritual Seasons of Life (and How to Flourish in Them)
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/dohtar
Rebecca Mashburn (Gordon) has a wonderful husband named Joseph. She has a blog, Trust. Lean, Seek and is working on becoming what God is calling her to. She has a bachelor's in psychology and hopes to one day pursue a degree in biblical counseling. Rebecca loves to be in nature, especially in springtime, and she loves to travel. She has a loving family and hopes one day to have children of her own.
This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today.
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