“And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, ‘How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the Lord God of your fathers hath given you?” Joshua 18:3
If one was to ask the question, “What time is it?,” what would be the basis for a true answer? For the believer, “time” is a term that has its essence and precision in God. The essence of time has its root and meaning in the wisdom of the Creator. He also is the One whose purposes are revealed within the limits of time. That which makes time so very important is that it is in some ways a measure of the sovereign power and authority of God, for God declares the truth of what will occur, and then brings it about, sometimes thousands of years later. That which confirms that the prophetic word is of God, is the precision with which the event, or circumstance, occurs over vast expanses of time. Where then does man fit into this picture, and how is he a custodian of the time which God has given him?
In Moses’ great prayer in Psalm 90, he prays as an old man, “So, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (v.12) Man can only “use” the time that God gives him, in a way that is well-pleasing to God, and in which God will accomplish His purposes through the believer, when the individual seeks God for wisdom. Jeremiah tells us that it is not in man that walks to direct his steps. If we are sheep, so limited by sight, perception, and understanding, how then can we KNOW how to use the time that has been entrusted to us? Again, we are confronted with the need, and necessity, to receive the wisdom of God. For this, James, in his letter is so very clear: “If any of YOU lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to ALL men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5) The question then becomes: “Who will truly seek God for wisdom concerning time, and the use of it, and the accomplishment of the will of God concerning it…and that, today?”
In the book of Joshua, in the account of the conquering of Canaan, there came a day when Joshua confronted the people, basically by asking them, “What time is it?” The answer had to do with the remaining land in Canaan, given by God to the people, that was to be conquered and possessed. The time had come to finish the conquest. When the door had been opened up by God for Israel to return to Jerusalem, and the land of promise, after the deportation, God revealed to them that the time had come to rebuild the temple. This they would begin, but because of opposition by their enemies, the work was delayed for approximately fifteen years. By the preaching of Haggai and Zechariah, the people were stirred up by God to face the reality that the time had come to finish the work, even in the face of difficulty and opposition. This they would do.
In Jesus day, apparently near the beginning of His ministry, He instructed His disciples: “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest.” (Jn. 4:35) In the sight, or perception of God, which the disciples did not recognize with regard to the scope, and magnitude of the vision, there was a vast need, that of multitudes which were seeking God, and salvation. Their condition was like a crop of wheat, “white already to harvest.” In God’s sight, the time had come, not only to realize and be convinced of the need, but to set about to harvest the wheat, believing God to meet the need of the multitudes.
God sets, or establishes times, for cleansing, restoration, revival, and renewal. He sets times for new beginnings, brought about by the application of the precious blood of Christ, and the power of the Spirit. What time is it now for us? Is it time to believe Him fully?
Dear Father, Give us Thy perspective of time, and Thy wisdom In Jesus’ name, Amen.