In today’s troublesome times, it’s a reassuring biblical truth that God created time. He transcends time and simultaneously sees the beginning and the end. And as the sovereign ruler He has control over all things. My purpose in this article is to remind you as believers in Jesus Christ that time is a God-given gift. We should have clear priorities as we invest the time that God gives us.
Genesis 1 records the profound action of God in creating all things, including time, space, and matter. Exodus 20:11 summarizes, “for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is.” Notice it doesn’t say it took twenty billion years. This text indicated that God accomplished his creative work in an orderly and systematic way. God added daily to His created work in six twenty-four hour periods of time until it was finished. He then saw what He had made as very good.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says “to everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Then the chapter continues with a delineation of many of the events that make up the fabric of human life. Ecclesiastes 3:11 then adds “He hath made everything beautiful in his time.”
Daniel 2:20-21 records God’s ultimate and sovereign control over time. “Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever, for wisdom and might are his, and he changeth the times and the seasons.”
Acts 1:6-7 records the interaction of Jesus and his disciples when they asked Him about the divine plan. “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the father hath put in his power.” Jesus’ response clearly indicates that God retains control of his unfolding plan.
Psalm 90 contains many references to God’s lordship over time and gives specific guidelines for the use of time. Verse two says “even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.” In Psalm 90:1-11 the Writer contrasted man’s finiteness with God’s eternity. He acknowledged that man’s transitory life is a result of God’s wrath against man’s sin. So in view of this, Moses prayed “so teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” He desired that God’s people, in view of the brevity of life, would live in daily submission to the God of all wisdom and knowledge. We can decide to prayerfully live by this principle in dependence on the strength of the risen Savior.
In Ephesians 5:15-16 we read “see then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise redeeming the time because the days are evil.” The word “redeeming” sets forth a persistent and ongoing challenge to believers to make wise use of the time that God gives them.
James 4:14-15 says “for what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say if the Lord will we shall live and do this or that.” This passage sets forth a vital need in view of the brevity of life to pray for God’s leading and direction in following his will obediently.
God’s grace is revealed at special times. Galatians 4:4-5 says “but when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of sons. Special times of great need come into the lives of every one of God’s children.
Hebrews 4:16 is a central passage that sets forth the vital truth of God’s concern that His children come to Him in prayer: “let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Those verses single out the time when the trials of life seem insurmountable. Access to God is what believers need when their weaknesses seem overwhelming. Hebrews 4:16 specifies how God’s people are to draw upon His special help. That is, to come boldly to God, to pray fervently, faithfully, and expectantly. God’s response will be to impart His help in timely ways that He deems best for each of His children.