For every season there is a Saviour

For every season there is a Saviour

Matthew Ruttan October 6, 2026 2:38

The poem at the start of Ecclesiastes 3 is the most famous part of the book. “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…”

It then goes on to list 28 “times.” For example, there is a time to be born and a time to die, and a time to weep and a time to laugh, etc.

But I think there is something subtle happening in how it is written, and it’s a detail that is meant to tell us something important.

Seven is often considered a perfect number, even a sacred number. If you double that you get fourteen. That’s the exact number of couplets in the poem. If you double fourteen you get twenty-eight.

At the mention of twenty-eight, our ears should perk up a little. Why? Because not only are there twenty-eight “times” listed in the poem, but that is also the exact number of occurrences of the phrase “under the sun” throughout the entire book, which is an expression that refers to living your life without reference to God or eternity—which, in case it’s not clear, is not a good way to live.

Okay, so what’s the point?

I think these details are a creative way of telling us something. It’s a message that the book tries to communicate in a variety of other ways too. Here it is: No matter what season or chapter of life you are in, it will often feel futile unless you put your focus on God. Since he is almighty and good, and since he alone is our Creator and Redeemer, trying to navigate these various seasons without him will leave you at a loss.

For everything there is a season, and for every season there is a Saviour.

Sam Allberry says: “I don’t need to worry about facing more than I can cope with; I only need to worry about facing more than God can cope with. And that thought gives me good cheer.”*

This insight makes him feel good because God can cope with anything no matter what. The biggest issue isn’t whether or not you can handle it, but whether or not God can handle it. And since he can, you can trust him and find greater peace.

Life is complicated and often challenging. There is a time for every season. Some of those seasons are hard. Some are happy. Either way, we are to look to God for the wisdom, strength and guidance that only he can provide.

What kind of “season” are you in? An easy one or a hard one? A confusing one or a confident one? Either way, don’t go it alone.

For everything there is a season, and for every season there is a Saviour.