A Time for Everything

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. —Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)

God has His own timing for everything. We know this from Ecclesiastes 3:1 in the Old Testament, and we also know it from 2 Peter 3:8 (ESV) in the New Testament. Peter writes, Do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the LORD one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

When we look at the two verses together, we realize we can be confident that there will be a time for every purpose God has for us, but that timing may not be what we think it should be.

Galatians 6:9 (ESV) says, Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. This verse always seems to encourage people. They seem to be strengthened by simply knowing their good works will eventually reap a harvest. But the verse does not specify when they will reap. It only says, in due season. This is one of several Bible verses that speak of a certain season, rather than a certain year, month, or day.

Remember that the Bible even says that only God knows the day and hour when Christ will return (Matthew 24:36). The angels don’t know, nor does Jesus Himself. But Scripture does include passages that help us understand the season of Christ’s return, whether that season is long or short by human standards.

Scriptures that remind us that certain seasons will ultimately come may not offer any insight into the details of God’s timing, but they do encourage us to trust Him—and part of spiritual maturity is learning to trust God’s timing. We struggle with that until we reach the point that we are surrendered before Him. This means we need to let go of our own agendas, our self-will, our sense of independence, and any effort to “make” things happen in our own strength.

When we truly put aside all those things and are ready to let God move as He wants to and when He wants to, amazing things can happen. Sometimes He is eager to move on our behalf but restrains Himself because He needs to see that we really do trust Him and are not going to try to take matters into our own hands. His timing is perfect for many reasons, some of which we eventually realize and some we will never know.

Are you trusting God for something in your life? You can rest in the promise of Ecclesiastes 3:1. The season will come for it to manifest for you. If God has purposed it, He will bring it to pass at just the right time, which only He knows. All you have to do is trust Him and enjoy the season you are in.

Prayer Starter: Father, help me to trust Your timing completely, and know that You will fulfill Your promises to me in just the right season. In Jesus’ name, amen.