“Thou shalt arise, and have mercy on Zion: for the time to favor her, yes, the set time, is come.” Psalm 102:13
Dear Ones:
Solomon, in the book of Ecclesiastes wrote on the subject of time: “…To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” (3:1) What did he mean by this? He is certainly referring to the sovereignty of God, and His right in His wisdom, to choose what will occur in HIS TIME. Only by seeing the matter from the perspective of God can one begin to understand that there is indeed a purpose, a Divine one. That which is interesting, arresting, and so encouraging, is the realization that every thing, has a season, a time…God’s time. It is only the one who believes in the benevolent goodness, and purpose of God, who is the “God of all circumstances,” who will truly grasp that He will faithfully bring His will to pass. It is specifically to the one who surrenders to the wisdom and love of God, to work in His way and time, that peace comes to the heart. Otherwise, it is very possible to put one’s shoulder to the boulder of impossible circumstances, and try to move, or change them, without success. Are we not called upon to trust God to move mountains, and cause the springs to come forth in the deserts? Indeed, we are…but only in His way, and IN HIS TIME.
In the book of Daniel, in speaking of certain events in the last days, he writes: “…for at the time appointed the end shall be.” (8:19) In the book of Habakkuk, we read a similar phrase: “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall surely speak, and not lie.” (2:3) In light of these declarations of the sovereignty of God in designating, and fulling, “the appointed time,” how are we to reconcile the truth of Paul’s writings, “…I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I helped thee: behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2, Is. 49:8) On the one hand we have the issue of the sovereignty of God, as it is pertains to the nation of Israel. On the other hand, we have this issue of time, and God’s control and use of it, pertaining to the individual believer. How then are we to see and use time? Are we to put “God in a box,” requiring Him to work in the way in which we desire, in the time frame that we create? One of the most wonderful aspects of fully surrendering to Christ is that of trusting the Sovereign, gracious, and loving heart of the Father, the designer and creator of our circumstances, believing Him to bring about His purposes and will, for His eternal glory, in His time. How then are we to live in this reality, and this, victoriously?
Haggai writes, just after addressing the issue of “an appointed time:” “…but the just (or righteous person), shall LIVE by faith.” (2:4) Herein is rest, and peace of mind, that, “…ALL things work together FOR GOOD to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) The God who does not make mistakes, never lies, and who is the sovereign Maker of all, is the One who, as Rutherford declared, “…purposes a crop.” There is a Divine purpose in every circumstance of TODAY, and one that will be realized in HIS time, because He is faithful. Our responsibility is to trust Him for it.
Dear Father, give us grace to submit the matter of “time” to You, believing that you do not make mistakes, but WILL bring about Your purposes in Your way, for Your glory. We choose to believe You to bring us into conformity with Your perfect will, working all things together for good, as You have promised. We thank and praise Thee, In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad