“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Solomon says there is “a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace” (vv. 2-8, NKJV).
That’s a total of 28 different “times.” But notice what Solomon does not give us — a time to give up! As long as you stay on the battlefield, God can turn your situation around and give you victory. If you’re worried today about your marriage, your children, your health, your finances, your job, and your future, here is a promise you can stand on: “‘No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,’ says the Lord” (Isaiah 54:17, NKJV). God didn’t say that a weapon wouldn’t be formed against you, but He said it wouldn’t prosper. So don’t give up!
2 Corinthians 6:1-10 says, “As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For He says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: In great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”
So, what time is it? Pray for a God arranged time for someone outside of you to intersect your life and receive the timelessness of the Gospel of Jesus. God will honor your prayer, give you the opportunities and provide the conversation. You, just be ready.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to persevere and not give up! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Pray, praise, give thanks, and stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
