The Appointed Time Part 1
January 30, 2012
“To everything and to everyone there is a time appointed.” I think that statement had really shocked me—truly if we know the appointed time, then we won’t fret but we will prepare and do well in advance. What would happen if everyone knows the time that their loved ones would depart? Then they would all do what they can to be around them before that time comes. Likewise, what would happen if we know what time we are supposed to receive and get an employment?
Then we won’t be losing those precious times applying in various places and getting around the bush to truly go to the path we want and we need. But what if I tell you that there is a way just like this? If we truly follow what our hearts of hearts desires, and know above all things that we are to honor God, put Him first and keep service to others as the most important job description we have--then there will be lesser step backwards and the farther we can go. Then you shall hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the path, walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:21 KJV).
That statement buckled the knees of the Ancient Israelites when they heard Isaiah prophesy to them, reveal to them that there is indeed a Living God who knows and understands us, who cares for our needs and longs to be gracious unto us. Answered prayers do not depend solely on our efforts to petition God on our behalf but there is also the aspect of God’s sovereignty that we must consider as well as His omniscience that we must understand. What do I mean by this? Even if we are very godly, not all our prayers will be answered. Some will get a nod from heaven’s council and others will have to go away.
Not all our wishes and whims will be answered and personally, I am glad that this is so. Aren’t you glad that not all your prayers have been answered by the Lord? If He had to answer every prayer on our behalf, not only that we will face chaos but could also lead to our destruction.
Then we won’t be losing those precious times applying in various places and getting around the bush to truly go to the path we want and we need. But what if I tell you that there is a way just like this? If we truly follow what our hearts of hearts desires, and know above all things that we are to honor God, put Him first and keep service to others as the most important job description we have--then there will be lesser step backwards and the farther we can go. Then you shall hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the path, walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:21 KJV).
That statement buckled the knees of the Ancient Israelites when they heard Isaiah prophesy to them, reveal to them that there is indeed a Living God who knows and understands us, who cares for our needs and longs to be gracious unto us. Answered prayers do not depend solely on our efforts to petition God on our behalf but there is also the aspect of God’s sovereignty that we must consider as well as His omniscience that we must understand. What do I mean by this? Even if we are very godly, not all our prayers will be answered. Some will get a nod from heaven’s council and others will have to go away.
Not all our wishes and whims will be answered and personally, I am glad that this is so. Aren’t you glad that not all your prayers have been answered by the Lord? If He had to answer every prayer on our behalf, not only that we will face chaos but could also lead to our destruction.
There once was a very godly man who was looking at the window of his house, the cold snow was falling to the ground and his room was cold and dank because of the snow.
In frustration, after coming from his work, he blurted, “Lord, could you take away the snow?” Then unexpectedly, his relatives and their children arrived without notice, not in his work plan that day, and they knocked at his door, “Julian, Julian, come out…let us play.”
In frustration, after coming from his work, he blurted, “Lord, could you take away the snow?” Then unexpectedly, his relatives and their children arrived without notice, not in his work plan that day, and they knocked at his door, “Julian, Julian, come out…let us play.”
“The snow is quite high, about a feet high and does not come every day of the year.” They continued knocking. The godly man came to attend to his relatives, still holding their wooden sledges at the door. Then he asked them, “Why have you come? I don’t really play in the snow.” “What? Come on, let us play today, take some fun,” they all said in unison. After much convincing, finally Julian went to play with them.
This illustrates how God sometimes may answer our prayers in a very direct and confronting manner. He did not answer the whims of Julian to end the snow that year because his relatives were also longing that some would fall so that they could play in the mountains and in the parks. Surprisingly, not all of us recognize the way God answers our prayers when they come. We still continue to hold on to them instead of asking for wisdom and clear understanding on the matter so that we can see His hands in our affairs.
This illustrates how God sometimes may answer our prayers in a very direct and confronting manner. He did not answer the whims of Julian to end the snow that year because his relatives were also longing that some would fall so that they could play in the mountains and in the parks. Surprisingly, not all of us recognize the way God answers our prayers when they come. We still continue to hold on to them instead of asking for wisdom and clear understanding on the matter so that we can see His hands in our affairs.
Julian did not see it but he still played well in the affairs of God. Indeed, because the voice of God is more often a gentle, still small voice, many do not recognize Him when He speaks to them. This does tell us that most often times, the voice of urgency can crowd out the voice of God. We mistake things as urgent or a priority when in fact they are not. I have observed that few truly possess the skill of distinguishing between what is urgent now and what is urgent but not necessary. For instance, I thought that because my wife received her PhD scholarship after my Masters, I am also supposed to work out with all my effort and find PhD now.
That thinking obfuscates what is necessary and removes us far from the training of the moment that we should instead be partaking. Another instance of this happens when people try to buy into houses or properties when they are supposed to be paying their debts completely. Buying houses and properties is a desire but not actually an urgent matter when compared to paying our debts.
However, if we have liquid assets, then why not? If we can hit both, by paying our debts and also paying our rent-to-own house, then that would be so much the better. Thus, we must consider everything in our decisions and trust God for the best. When we pray, we must ask Him that we may also see with His eyes, hear with His ears and understand with His heart so that when He guides us what to do, then we can redirect our prayers and petitions. I agree with John Wesley that God does nothing unless in answer to prayer.
As I am looking forward to going back home after a year of furlough here in Germany, there were many thoughts that raced through my mind, I think, I’m still happier at home in the Philippines. Looking for a job may take some time but when we know what we are looking for in this life, that puts limit to where we should find a job, where we should work and enables us to get more focused. Focus is power. The more focused our energies are, the more powerful we can become.
Those who are thinly spread by vying into all their talents have to grapple with lesser impacts. A laser can precisely cut into the skin during surgery, it can read codes, it can measure distance and it can detonate a bomb. However, a flashlight will never accomplish such feat. Focus will also enable us to do specialization which is good for growth. Doctors will specialize to learn all they can about the brain, the heart, or the internal organs. So do agriculturists who either have to deal with plant breeding, horticulture, animal science or veterinary medicine.
Christians too ought to do the same, and so are churches…there are diversities of gifts and ministries. Not all will become megachurches, not all will be called to the missions and not all will express the power gifts. Some are called for administration, leadership and helps and some are to gifts of miracles. We must recognize these so we can avoid confusion and treading on the wrong path. Jesus did not waste his time dealing with the negatives or even fearing for his life. He simply did what he ought to and made His mark in History so that until this time we continue to talk about Him and try to live the way He did.
That thinking obfuscates what is necessary and removes us far from the training of the moment that we should instead be partaking. Another instance of this happens when people try to buy into houses or properties when they are supposed to be paying their debts completely. Buying houses and properties is a desire but not actually an urgent matter when compared to paying our debts.
However, if we have liquid assets, then why not? If we can hit both, by paying our debts and also paying our rent-to-own house, then that would be so much the better. Thus, we must consider everything in our decisions and trust God for the best. When we pray, we must ask Him that we may also see with His eyes, hear with His ears and understand with His heart so that when He guides us what to do, then we can redirect our prayers and petitions. I agree with John Wesley that God does nothing unless in answer to prayer.
As I am looking forward to going back home after a year of furlough here in Germany, there were many thoughts that raced through my mind, I think, I’m still happier at home in the Philippines. Looking for a job may take some time but when we know what we are looking for in this life, that puts limit to where we should find a job, where we should work and enables us to get more focused. Focus is power. The more focused our energies are, the more powerful we can become.
Those who are thinly spread by vying into all their talents have to grapple with lesser impacts. A laser can precisely cut into the skin during surgery, it can read codes, it can measure distance and it can detonate a bomb. However, a flashlight will never accomplish such feat. Focus will also enable us to do specialization which is good for growth. Doctors will specialize to learn all they can about the brain, the heart, or the internal organs. So do agriculturists who either have to deal with plant breeding, horticulture, animal science or veterinary medicine.
Christians too ought to do the same, and so are churches…there are diversities of gifts and ministries. Not all will become megachurches, not all will be called to the missions and not all will express the power gifts. Some are called for administration, leadership and helps and some are to gifts of miracles. We must recognize these so we can avoid confusion and treading on the wrong path. Jesus did not waste his time dealing with the negatives or even fearing for his life. He simply did what he ought to and made His mark in History so that until this time we continue to talk about Him and try to live the way He did.
Posted by Edison Macusi. Posted In : Word for the week
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