Time is a major factor in our life from the moment that we are born and governs our daily lives. Since it is such a vital part of our lives, we need to go to the Bible to determine what God has to say about it. The first question that we need to examine is “When did time begin?” We know that God is eternal according to Psalm 90:2 “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” We know that God was, God is, and God always will be. Revelation 1:8 says “I am the Alpha and Omega”—the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. There was never a time without God. Genesis 1:1 reveals that in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. At some point God set about putting things in order to make the earth habitable for His creation of mankind and animals as we read in verses 1-5 that God made light to appear and that God divided the light from the darkness. So the concept of time began when God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night—the evening and the morning were the first day! We can find comfort that God controls the ultimate time when this world began and when this world ends and the new one begins!
We learn in Acts 1:7 that times are set by the Father. Psalms 31: 15 says: “My times are in thy hand…” “Time” is mentioned 290 times in the Bible and speaks of appointed, fixed and set periods of time; sequential and quantitative time and moments for decision or action. Solomon reveals in Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 that there is a time for everything. This passage lists 14 “opposites,” and centers on God’s ultimate authority in heaven and on earth. 1. A time to give birth—a time to die; 2. A time to plant—a time to uproot what is planted; 3. A time to kill—a time to heal; 4. A time to tear down—a time to build up; 5. A time to weep—a time to laugh; 6. A time to mourn—a time to dance; 7. A time to scatter stones—a time to gather stones; 8. A time to embrace—a time to refrain from embracing; 9. A time to seek—a time to lose; 10. A time to keep—a time to discard; 11. A time to tear apart—a time to mend; 12. A time to be silent—a time to speak; 13. A time to love—a time to hate; 14. A time for war—a time for peace. The familiar lines offer a comforting reminder of God’s sovereignty and authority in heaven and on earth. God is the one who appoints each moment of our lives. While each time and season may seem random, the underlying significance in the poem denotes a divinely chosen purpose for everything we experience in our lives. God has a plan, He is in control and He loves us!
Humans have mastered many things in this world, but some elements of our existence are beyond our control. We cannot conquer time. Our lives contain a mixture of joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, harmony and struggle, and life and death. Each season has its appropriate time in the cycle of life. Nothing stays the same, and we, as God’s children, must learn to accept and adjust to the ebb and flow of God’s design. Some seasons are difficult, and we may not understand what God is doing. In those times, we must humbly submit to the Lord’s plans and trust that He is working out His good purposes. God designed time to be a protection for us. We couldn’t bear to see all our life at one. God is unlimited by time; it is in the present moment that God meets us. Our calculation of time is not the same as how God defines time. There can be comfort in knowing and remembering His time is always best. When we pray and ask for answers in a quick time, comfort can be found in knowing God hears all prayers. God will answer in His time with a yes, no, or not now. Each time we read Scripture, we glean something new. God knows all answers about time and will reveal what we need to know when we need to know.
There are many scriptures that encourage and teach the wise use of time. We will all give an account of how we used the time God gives us. Psalms 39: 4 says: “LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.” Proverbs 90: 12 reminds us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. Our earthly sojourn is significantly shorter than we are inclined to think. As David so aptly points out, “You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath.” (Psalm 39: 4-5) The apostle James echoes this: “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4: 14) To live as God would have us live, it is essential we make the best possible use of our allotted time. A good way to gain wisdom is to learn to live each day with an eternal perspective. Knowing that we will have to give an account to the One who gives us time should motivate us to use it well. C.S. Lewis said: “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next.”
Paul cautioned believers in Ephesians 5: 15-16 to be careful how we live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of our time, because the days are evil. In the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25: 14-30 Jesus lays out the principles of the test of service relating to what has been given us and illustrates the tragedy of wasted opportunity as well as the importance of laboring faithfully until the Lord comes. The ultimate goal is to hear the Lord say: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of the Lord.” Paul instructs us in Colossians 3:17 to do whatever we do with all our heart as if we are doing it for the Lord for it is Christ that we are serving and not human masters. We are called to invest time in relationships with others and work hard in the things of life, but we need to schedule regular—daily—time with God. It is He who equips us to carry out the tasks He has given us. It is He who directs our days—our time belongs to Him.
Peter spoke of times of refreshment in the presence of God in Acts 3: 19 that prepares us to make better use of time. Time spent with God and getting to know Him through reading His Word and prayer is never wasted. It is ultimately God who is in control and who provides for our every need. This world is filled with distractions that try to rob us of time with God. We should move forward with diligence and divine purpose as the courses of our lives progress toward God’s ultimate goal. Let us consider what things God deems valuable; what He has called us to specifically; how much of our time is currently invested in these things; what is taking our time.
We should live as if each minute counts—because it really does. Jesus said in Matthew 16: 3 that we must recognize the signs of the times. Peter in Acts 3: 20-21 revealed that Messiah will return at an appointed time—the time of the restoration of all the things that God spoke about long ago through the mouth of His holy prophets. Jesus made it clear in Mark 13: 32-37 that the time of His return will be a surprise known only by God the Father. He urged us to watch and pray and be about the Father’s business as we have been given authority as His servants to complete the tasks set before us. What is the task? Jesus said in Mt. 24: 14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Vance Havner said: “It is later than it has ever been before, and the smartest thing any man can do is to set his watch by God’s clock.”
God is getting the Invisible Church—the Bride ready for the Bridegroom—His Son. Jonathan Cahn gives us insight into the Cosmic Bridal Chamber. He says: “If you belong to God, you’re His bride. And the world is your tent, your present home. And as the bride, the focus of your life can no longer be on this world, nor on your circumstances, nor on how comfortable or uncomfortable you are in this world. Now is the time for letting go. Use the time you have in this world to prepare yourself for the days of eternity. You are here to become beautiful. Live today as one preparing for the wedding. Use every moment as a chance to become more beautiful and heavenly.” “I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” (Rev. 22: 12) “Walk in wisdom…redeeming the time.” (Col. 4:5)