Understanding the Times
Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1–9, 9:11
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted,”(Ecclesiastes 3:1–2.
Understanding the Times
There is a time for every thing: “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 together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, 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. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?,” Ecclessiastes 3:3–9.
“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all,” Ecclesiastes 9:11-12.
Time and chance happen to us all. For example, we cannot change the fact that when the clock says 8 a.m. it is morning, but knowing the time helps us to do the right thing at the right time.
“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment,” 1 Chronicles 12:32.
Do you have an understanding of the times? Do you know what time it is in terms of Kingdom business? Do you know what time it is in your life? In a simple analysis of the stages of life, I find there to be three. The first, your “me time,” is from ages one to twenty-five. The second, from ages twenty-five to fifty, is your “we time,” when you build up your family and others. The third, from ages fifty and beyond, is your “other time,” when you begin to mentor people and leave a legacy.
If you understand the times then you will know what you should be doing. But if you do not understand the times, you will find yourself doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. I pray that God will give you an understanding of the times.
Those who have an understanding of the times by the grace of God usually know what they ought to be doing and they do it at the right time.
Prayer Points:
Now is the time to walk closer with God. It is time to fellowship and commune with God so that He will give you marching orders for progress. It is time for you to be what you came here to be. Father God Almighty, we pray in the name of Jesus that you give us a divine understanding of the times like the children of Isaachar. Because we operate in the realm of time, give us the grace to redeem the time rather than to waste it. Help us to understand that it is time for receiving blessings, breakthroughs, prosperity, letting your Word work, anointing that breaks the yoke, signs and wonders, and every good plan, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
