When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? [7] And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
Acts 1:6-7 KJV
One important truth about our walk with God is that He is a planner. As it relates to us as a church and also as individuals, there is a time for everything, Ecclesiastes 3:1. A season is a period marked by a particular emphasis or operation. Farmers harvest and plant different fruits in different seasons . There are many seasons: Summer, winter, Spring and Autumn. Just the way a season does not go on for the entire year, God places specific things at specific times. God deals with us in seasons. Jesus was destined as the Christ to destroy the work of darkness, but at a certain point in time, He was concerned with fetching firewood, turning water to wine, etc. As much as there is a bigger purpose for your design, a seasonal engagement of what is needful is important.
Every season has an emphasis, there is a time for seed and there is a time for harvest, Genesis 8:22. Every season is preparatory. There is a seed time because of harvest time, there is a winter because of summer. There is night because of the day, etc. There is also an expected end product for every season. No season is dormant. Even though Jesus was to destroy the work of the devil, 1 John 3:8, there was a transition period. 1 Samuel: 17:34 shows David dealing with bears and lions. For every unique individual in the bible, there was a process. Moses served Jethro, Jesus obeyed Mary and Joseph. There was a time when He was studying and asking question, Luke 2.
Often, the Lord gives us the big picture, like in the case of David. He was anointed King, but had to learn to be a shepherd for His father, 1 Samuel 17:34. During the preparatory season, God expects faithfulness. If David had not learned to protect and keep the sheep when serving His father, how would he have learned to use the sling and stone that will save Israel? How would he have gained the courage to kill philistine armies if He did not learn to depend on God to kill a bear? Killing a bear itself is no small task, neither is killing a lion. God has spoken much more glorious things of us: He promises that we will sit on the throne, that we will reign with Him, judging angels, etc (Revelations 21:7), yet the gifts and talents, business ideas, burdens to do things in the house of God are all things that have been given to you to keep in preparation. The bible says it is expected in stewardship that a man be found faithful,1 Corinthians 4:2. A man who is unfaithful in what is little, cannot be trusted with what is big, Luke 16:10. The preparatory stage is arguably more important than the war, this is because the preparation increases your capacity.
Beloved, what has the Lord committed to your hands now? It may be your school work, it may be your Job. Jesus said, if we are unfaithful in what is another mans, who will commit to you what is yours?, Luke 16:12. The preparatory stage is a time of character development. This time often comes with different chastisements from the Lord, Hebrews 12:6-11. It is part of the process to becoming all God has for us and the lack of submitting ourselves to this process is usually the cause of casualties for many when greater things are given to them. In each season, God engages us by giving us instructions, promises and tasks to build our capacity, but we engage Him by our devotion, focus and obedience. A promotion in anything including kingdom related matters often means more responsibility. If our desires are to grow in love, the gifts of the Spirit, prayers, knowledge and the Word, or in responsibility both in the Kingdom or secularly, then we must ask God to show us ways to exercise ourselves in the every day opportunities He gives to us. God has promised a greater outpouring of His Spirit in these days. He has promised that we will break forth on the left and right, Isaiah 54:2-3. Spare no effort, beloved, lengthen your ropes, and pound your stakes deep, because His promises never fail.
Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, thank you for the great and glorious things You have spoken of me. Thank you for this preparatory season where I depend on you to handle the tasks You have put in my hands. Lord help me to be faithful. In this time, let patience have her perfect work in me that I may have the character and capacity to bear the responsibility you put in my hands. I want to hear You say to me " Well done good and faithful servant, because You have been faithful in little, be ruler over ten cities", therefore I choose to submit to your dealings with me.
0 Comments