God’s Part in the Seasons of Life

Thanks for reading our post today. I believe you will be encouraged and heartened when you see the part God plays in our seasons. Eric

Everyone of us goes through various seasons or times of life. Seasons or times basically refers to a period of time that we experience. Many of us have common seasons i.e. birth, our time as a baby, toddler, children, teenagers, young adults, adults and then being elderly.

For many we tend to be impatient while going through these various seasons. When we are children, we can hardly wait to be in our teens. Teens are usually eager to become adults to experience perceived privileges. For some, attending college, getting married, becoming a parent , working different jobs and establishing a career are included in our seasons of life.

Not everyone experiences the same seasons at the same time nor does everyone experience the same seasons.

Each of us will face difficult or painful events in our lives also, i.e. illness, job loss, divorce, or death of a loved one. I am sure that many of you have experienced many of these seasons or times of life and have additional events you could add to the list.

Today, as we focus on what the Word of the Lord reveals about these times and seasons of life which we all experience, I believe you will be encouraged and heartened.

God knows you intimately! He formed you and knit you together in your mother’s womb. He saw you when you were an embryo and every day that was ordained for your life was written in His record book before there were any. (Psalm 139:13,16).

You are His workmanship, you were divinely crafted. (Ephesians 2:10a.) We read in Psalm 31:15a (ESV), “My times are in your hand…” “‘Time,’ ittotay in the Greek, in this verse means: seasons, times, experiences, appointed times or due seasons. ‘Hand’ symbolizes power and care.” (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon). Importantly, “we recognize that the psalmist’s confession models surrender of personal circumstances to divine sovereignty.” (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon). You see, God has intimate knowledge of our days. Our times, seasons, experiences and appointed times - the events of our life are all in the power and care of our sovereign God’s control.

We see a prime example of this when we read of God’s interaction with Paul. Paul’s encounter with the sovereign God led him from ‘persecuting the brethren to preaching the faith he once tried to destroy!’ Paul choose to let the sovereign God have control of his life and his seasons changed dramatically. (Galatians 1:13-15, 23).

Jeremiah 29:4 reads, This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel says to all those I carried into exile,” Then in verse 10 we read, “This is what the Lord says, “When seventy years are completed, I will come to you…to bring you back.” (from the exile for disobedience). Verse 11 reveals God’s heart for His rebellious children, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, ”plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” “The word ‘declares’ indicates a declaration underscoring the authority and intimate involvement God has in the lives of His people.” God said, “I carried and I will come.” (Bible Hub Study Bible). ‘Prosper’ is associated with shalom meaning: peace, completeness and welfare - “it’s not just a natural prosperity but encompasses spiritual well-being and fulfillment.” (Bible Hub Study Bible). (His intentions are for our ultimate good). God is sovereign and He controls our seasons.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 builds an entire theology around paired seasons which every believer will experience in their lifetime. “Born/die; plant/pluck; mourn/dance; cast away stones/gather stones; embrace/refrain from embracing; love/hate; and war/peace.’ These seasons are set and appointed times. “Zeman (seasons) here frames all human experience inside God’s master timetable. (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon.) Verse one of Ecclesiastes 3 reads, “To everything there is a season. A time for every purpose under heaven.” The phrase ‘to everything there is a season’ is the concept of divine order and timing in the universe. ‘Season’ is a fixed appointed time. ‘Time for every purpose,’ reveals that every event and action has an appropriate moment ordained by God. These phrases reveal a concept of divine order and timing in the universe and in our individual lives. Nothing occurs by chance!

Just as there are God orchestrated seasons in our lives, there are also God orchestrated seasons in nations and government. Acts 17:26 reads, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” This is a remarkable Scripture! God made all nations (races) from one man, established their appointed times and the boundaries of their land, throughout history!

Daniel 2:21 reveals, “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. ‘Change’ is translated from the Hebrew word shana. “Shana is the primary vocabulary for the idea of ‘change’ whether describing a personal appearance, a royal decree, the course of history or the very laws of creation. Shana describes cosmic and political shifts.” (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon).

God rules/reigns over political power and rulers. He removes and establishes or appoints them. “He alone possesses absolute authority to redirect history, reorder governments and reshape circumstances.” (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon).

God is in absolute control over all world events, those in the past and those in the future. His purposes will be fulfilled in the fulness of time.

Prophets anchor both imminent judgment and distant hope to divinely fixed times. Habakkuk 2:3 reads. “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” ‘Revelation’ is divine communication which comes through a vision, oracle of prophecy. ‘Appointed time’ means at an or the appointed time. It is an appointed time for when the intervention of God takes place.

We read the prophetic words Daniel wrote indicating that, by God’s design and will, the end of time would come at His appointed time. (Daniel 8:19). This passage encourages vigilance, assuring the faithful that history is moving toward a consummation already scheduled by God!

Sometimes, we feel stuck in a difficult season, and we don’t always understand why it seems to be one that never ends. We need to remember that there is a heavenly timetable established by God. This brings to mind the man who had been blind since birth. When the disciples asked who had sinned and caused this season of blindness for this man, Jesus proclaimed that no sin was involved and it happened so the works of God would be displayed in him. (John 9:23).

Proverbs 16:9 reveals, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” Man makes plans based on our knowledge, goals and desires. However, we have limited knowledge, perception and understanding and our plans are not always the best. However, God, by His sovereignty and ultimate control over human affairs, establishes our steps. ‘Establishes’ means: to direct one’s face toward and order aright. I am so grateful I can trust the Lord to direct my steps.

We are advised in Proverbs 19:20 to listen to counsel and accept discipline so that we will be wise the rest of our days. ‘Listen’ shama means: hear attentively, to hear intelligently (implying attention and obedience). Hearing is relational.

Proverbs 19:21 reads, “Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.’ The Lord’s plans in the lives of His people will be established and accomplished. Man has a natural human tendency to devise numerous plans and ambitions. This verse reminds us of the limitations of human foresight and the unpredictability of life. Thus, we need to be willing to seek and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and follow His plans to succeed.

God’s purposes (will and plans) are unchangeable and certain to be accomplished. His plan for our life is for good (Jeremiah 29:11). God’s will is supreme! Sometimes we lose sight of the truth that God’s purposes, plans and actions are rooted in His loving and righteous character.

Isaiah 46:10 reveals, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” God takes an active part in bringing His plans to fruition. His purpose is unchangeable and steadfast. God’s will is sovereign and cannot be thwarted by human actions or circumstances. We can take great comfort from this verse. We can realize that we do not need to be concerned with what man intends to have happen or what the outcomes are of those whose hearts are evil and what they have planned to do.

One thing we do have to do is take care that we do not become complacent about the return of Jesus. Sadly, many have the mindset - ‘Well, it hasn’t happened yet - it will be a long time before He comes,’ or they don’t believe He is coming! We become complacent, not concerned, impassive, indifferent, uninterested and apathetic. Matthew 24:44 exhorts us - you must be ready because He will come when we don’t expect it!

‘By the mercy of God, He has given us new birth into a living hope. Our inheritance can never perish, spoil or fade. It is kept in heaven for us. (if we have faith in Jesus). In this world we may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. The trials prove the genuineness of our faith. Our faith is greater than gold which perishes and our faith will result in praise glory and honor when Christ returns. The end result of our faith is our salvation, the thought of which fills us with inexpressible joy!’ We can have joy in the Lord despite our circumstances - our trials are temporary. (My paraphrasing of 1 Peter 1:1-7).

When we trust Him and keep our mind on Him, we will have perfect peace. (Isaiah 26:30).

Some of the seasons we face include those of : change, suffering, waiting, sadness, growth, sorrow, and joy. Seasons provide wisdom, comfort, guidance and growth.

“When the winds of change blow, remember…sometimes what appears dead is simply preparing for a new season.” (Jane Lee Logan).

“Trust the wait. Embrace the uncertainity. Enjoy the beauty of becoming. When nothing is certain, anything is possible.” (Mandy Hale).

After a season of hardship, God promises to strengthen, support and restore us and place us on a firm foundation. (1 Peter 5:10).

“Each season offers its own unique lessons that have the power to inspire and guide us. By embracing the wisdom that each season brings, we can find gratitude and inspiration in every moment of our lives.” (quotesanity.com).

Unless noted otherwise all Scriptures are taken from the New International Version.

ESV English Standard Version