Time for Reflection

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV) 1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:        Winston Churchill said “Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.” The review of the closing year is a very proper, and may be a very profitable, exercise. The newspapers review the events of the year which are of political, financial, or commercial interest. The Christian has, however, higher interests - those which are moral and spiritual. It is desirable that we should take a retrospect of "the time past," with a view of tracing God's providential dealings with us, with a view of estimating our own spiritual progress, and of learning lessons of wisdom and of helpfulness. I. WHAT DOES REFLECTION SUGGEST TO US CONCERNING TIME PAST? a. Its passage has been rapid, yet it has been filled with events of great importance. There have been many things happen this last year, some good and some bad. b. The time past is perfectly irretrievable; we cannot live the expiring year over again. c. Time has left permanent traces upon our character. We are all changed by times’ influences, its lessons - some for the better, some for the worse. Time changes everything!       II. The past is not forgotten by the Lord and Judge of all. In this sense he "requires an account of that which is past." Ecclesiastes 3:15 (NKJV) That which is has already been, And what is to be has already been; And God requires an account of what is past.       III. IN WHAT SPIRIT SHOULD THE CHRISTIAN CONSIDER THE TIME PAST? a. His first and most prominent thought should be of the mercy and loving-kindness of God revealed to him as the days and weeks have passed by.        Psalms 145:9 (NKJV) The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.       b. Especially should we remember the long-suffering and forbearance which has been displayed towards us by our heavenly Father upon repeated occasions by our failures in duty and by forgetfulness of His Divine love! Psalms 145:8 (NKJV) The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.       c. We should remember with regret and repentance the opportunities of obedience and usefulness which we have neglected. d. Nor should we lose sight of the discipline which we may have been called upon to endure, and which we should remember, not with a rebellious attitude, but with a submissive spirit. Hebrews 12:5-6 (NKJV) 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens (corrects), And scourges every son whom He receives.     IV. IN WHAT SPIRIT SHOULD WE REFLECT ON THE TIME PAST THIS YEAR?     a. We should remember with the spirit of humiliation and shame that we at times have        broken the Law of God, and rejected the words of Christ.    b. We should reflect upon the bad influence which our example of religion has exercised over others, especially over those within our family and social circle.      c. We should consider that we are worse at the end of the year than at its beginning, if we have delayed to repent and then to begin by God's grace a new and better life. Repentance, literally means to turn, it’s the activity of reviewing one's actions and feeling remorse or regret for past wrongs. It generally involves a commitment to personal change and the resolve to live a more responsible and righteous life. V. HOW SHOULD THE REFLECTION OF THE TIME PAST AFFECT THE TIME TO COME? a. We may be helped to realize the brevity of life, and the uncertainty especially of what life yet remains here on this earth. Psalms 39:4 (NKJV)  "Lord, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.       b. We may be prompted to turn away from the evil which has been indulged in during this past year, and to enter into the holier life and more consecrated service which our Lord approves and is calling us to. Philippians 3:12-15 (NLT) 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.       The sands of time are fast falling; the time to live on this earth is short and fading.       Let the future see our vows fulfilled, our hopes realized, our aims achieved!

        Invitation: As you reflect on this past year what does God see in your life that you need to change and what you need to improve on? Have you given your very best to Him? How is your relationship with Him? Will you spend eternity with Him when you pass from this earth? If you are not sure make sure right now because Hell is hot and eternity is long!