We Must Have the Wisdom to Know the Time

Today's passage, through the Preacher's confession, makes clear that everything in life has its appointed season. People each think, from where they stand, that they are experiencing something for the first time, but with God there is already an appointed order and time, and all things are repeated and brought to completion. From this perspective, we must acknowledge the sovereignty of God, who is above the changes of the world and of human life.

The sermon emphasizes in particular how important the wisdom to know the ‘time’ is when it comes to saving souls and sharing the gospel. Even though thistles are growing in the hearts of family members and friends we love, staying silent out of embarrassment or laziness can end in the loss of souls. When we live in fear of the world instead of carrying out our mission according to the time God has set, we commit the sin of letting the seed of the gospel the Lord entrusted to us rot.

We must look back on whether we have ever pretended not to see, even when we saw thistles and thorns covering the hearts of the people we love. We should also ask ourselves whether not sharing the gospel comes from a cowardly thought, or from true love.