THE APPOINTED TIME

Genesis 18:14

“Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”

INSIGHT

-Several references in the Bible reveal God appointed time relating to various promises that were and still are key to accomplish His purposes on earth. In Greek, the word Kairos means the appointed time or moment to act. These moments increase our faith and hope in the Lord, for nothing is impossible with God. The Lord made a promise to Abraham that He would bless him and make his descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand of the seashore. In the course of time, he got a son Ishmael through Hagar his maid servant and probably thought that this was the son of the promise. When Abraham was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and reminded him of the promise, and we see Abraham laugh and express incertitude (Genesis 17:17). Sarah also laughed later given her advanced age and the Lord said “Is there anything too hard for the LORD?” This is the question that we ask ourselves today, Is there anything too hard for the LORD? If Abraham and Sarah were able to bear a son at an old and advanced age, what is difficult for the LORD. If the Shunammite woman whose husband was old bore a son at the appointed time (2 Kings 4:14-17), nothing is impossible with God. Whatever situation that you might be faced with, be it barrenness, delay, sickness, lack of a job, slow business, financial instability, marital issues, lack of marriage partner, family issues, addictions, political instability, poor leadership, corruption, COVID-19 and related issues, slow or no economic growth, persecution of Christians etc. Despite the challenges that we might be faced with that appear like old age, God is still in control. We are called to put our trust in the Lord despite these obstacles, and the Lord will make a way for us; even where there seems to be no way.

PRAYER

This is the day that You have made Lord, we rejoice and are glad in it. You are the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, nothing is too hard for You our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You created the heavens and the earth and all that is in, nothing is too hard for You Lord. You created man in Your own image and likeness, nothing is too hard for You Lord. You delivered the Israelites from the hands of Pharaoh, nothing is too hard for You Lord. You gave Abraham and Sarah a son at an old age, nothing is too hard for You Lord. You sent Your Son Jesus to save the world from sin and eternal condemnation, nothing is too hard for You Lord. Make a way in our lives, situations, families, marriages, jobs, businesses, government, churches and nation, even where there seems to be no way. You work in ways that we cannot see Lord, make a way for us and deliver all nations from the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank You Lord for protecting us, providing for us, healing our wounds, guiding us, delivering us from the snares of the evil one, sanctifying and justifying us with Your precious blood, we bless Your holy name. Your ways are perfect and Your word is pure, cement us in Your truth. You have the way of everlasting life Jesus, save us dear Master. We cast all our burdens and cares unto You, save us dear Jesus. Journey with us in all things and level the mountains for us. We believe in You and trust in You Jesus, make it happen for us at the appointed time. Amen

Numbers‬ ‭28:1-2‬ ‭‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time.’”

INSIGHT
-The appointed time also applied to feasts that were ordained by God. The Lord commanded the Israelites to celebrate the feast of unleavened bread in the month of Abib (Exodus‬ ‭34:18‬), or the Passover feast at the appointed time (Numbers‬ ‭9:2‬). The feast of Tabernacles or feast booths was celebrated seven days after the Israelites gathered produce from their threshing floors and wine presses (Deuteronomy‬ ‭16:13) ‬‬‬. It was a time of worship, rejoicing, celebration, sharing, offering hospitality among Jews and between Israelites and foreigners. Three times a year during the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles, the Lord commanded the Israelites to offer their gifts in proportion to which the Lord blessed each one. As we reflect upon all the good things the Lord has done in our lives; we count our blessings and name them one by one. We maintain an attitude of gratitude as we enjoy the goodness of the Lord and share our blessings with others as the Holy Spirit leads us. The Holy Spirit has bestowed upon us diverse gifts and fruit, for communion with Him and others. Jesus commanded His disciples saying, “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew‬ ‭10:7-8‬). As disciples of Jesus, we have been commanded to do likewise. As each one of us has received; let us freely give, for the advancement of God’s kingdom; all for the glory of His name.

PRAYER
We rejoice in You Lord always for Your goodness and mercy upon our lives. We thank You for the far that You have brought us and the far that You are taking us. We give You all the glory Holy Spirit for all that You have made us to be, our careers, businesses, families, churches, leadership and the peace that we continue to enjoy in our nation. Not to us, not to us Oh Lord but to Your name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness. We celebrate Your unending love upon us, help us to love You and our neighbors as ourselves. We celebrate Your perfect peace that surpasses all understanding upon us and our nation, lead our nation in Your ways Lord. We celebrate Your sacrifice on the cross for our sins and the sins of the world, forgive us glorious Master. We celebrate Your gift of salvation upon us and our entire generations, use us to spread the gospel that many may know You and come to You. We celebrate Your blessings and grace upon our lives, help us to freely give as we have received. We celebrate the gifts and fruit that Your have bestowed upon us Holy Spirit, help us to spread Your love with others, for the glory of Your name. Amen

Habakkuk 2:2-4

“Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.”

INSIGHT

-God instructed Habakkuk to record a vision that would benefit others at the appointed time. This revelation was not just for himself, but was geared towards strengthening others especially during the Babylonian captivity. Habakkuk had previously complained of the prevalence of the Chaldeans, which God had given him a prospect of; to pacify the people concerning it, and he received further prospect of their fall and ruin, as Isaiah had prophesied before this, when he foretold the captivity in Babylon and its defeat. This vision was to absolve those who read it of their fears and troubles if only they put their trust in the Lord. Those who read it would make rapid strides but they couldn’t make this progress if Habakkuk did not make it plain. It is through visions such as these that we find hope in Christ despite the tribulations that we face. God speaks to us through His word which gives us strength, counsel, hope, conviction, direction and comfort for our souls. The promises of the Lord may seem silent, but at the end they speak and find landing in our hearts if we wait patiently on Him. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance”. As the Israelites were tested and tried in faith and patience, to distinguish between the hypocrites and the sincere among them; upon the proud monarchy of king Nebuchadnezzar, we too are called to humble ourselves before the Lord and He will lift us up. There is a time for every purpose under heaven. There is a time, a divine appointment for things in our lives to turn around and become beautiful. We are called to keep believing in God for our victories, successes, breakthroughs in what we are praying for. We note that, before promotion comes, persistence is required; in our prayer lives, praise and faith Christ. When we surrender all our cares, needs and burdens to God, He sustains us and opens many doors for us. We then need to encourage ourselves in the Lord for He can change any situation in our lives. If we believe and hope in the Lord alone, He is going to take care of us, protect us, provide for us, heal our diseases, grant all the desires of our hearts and multiply blessings upon us, our families and nation, for the just shall live by faith.

PRAYER

Matthew 8:28-29

When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”

INSIGHT

-Jesus had authority over the spiritual world and He encountered demon possessed humans during His public ministry. In the region of the Gadarenes, He met two men who were out of control due to evil forces that tormented them and took hold of their lives. We find such instances even around us where some people either singing or talking to themselves; wearing dirty clothes. Some live in the streets, feed from the garbage bins and beg for money or food. Others are controlled by habitual sins or addictions which cause them loss, delay or pain. From Ephesians 6:12, we see that, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” The devil has sinned from the beginning, and his mission is to steal, kill and destroy, and derail us from our destinies and the will of God. He has been roaming in the earth like a roaring lion, seeking whom he might devour, and we are called to be alert and sober minded (1 Peter 5:8). In the book of Job, we see the sovereignty of God over the devil as God gives him permission to tempt Job. In the conclusion we see God proving that faith in Him overcomes all tribulations and suffering. From the main passage, we see that demons were aware that Jesus is the Son of God and they know their appointed time. The irony is that they were afraid of being tortured before the appointed time; but in the meantime they would torture and torment these two poor souls. Revelation 20:10 reveals the appointed time saying, “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Jesus has authority over all demonic forces and has given us the same power and authority, that we may perform greater works and walk in victory. We then have confidence in God as Christians for the Holy Spirit who lives in us is greater than the one who is in the world. We have courage and confidence in Christ who has conquered it all and made us conquerors in Him.

PRAYER

How excellent is Your name Oh God in all the earth, who has set Your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants, You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger. How excellent is Your name Oh God in all the earth. You were raised from the dead and are seated at the right hand of the throne of God in glory, hosanna to the Son of David. Deliver all those who are demon possessed Jesus by Your precious blood we humbly ask You. Restore the destinies of all those who are lost in demonic oppression and addictions, those who live in the streets with no hope and save them by Your powerful hand. Have mercy on us all and on the whole world. Forgive us all from unrighteousness and cover us with Your precious blood. It is by grace You have saved us through faith and it is not from ourselves but a gift from You Lord, thank You for Your saving grace upon our lives. You have instructed us Jesus to go into the world and heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything You have commanded. Grant us the wisdom, power, strength and grace to minister Your word and do Your will Jesus. Thank You Jesus for the gift of salvation that You have given unto us through Your death and resurrection, that we may have faith and be victorious over all things, how excellent is Your name Oh God in all the earth. Thank You Jesus for assuring us that You will never leave us nor forsake us and that You are with us always to the very end of the age. Thank You for loving us Jesus. Amen

Galatians 4:1-7

“Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the Father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

INSIGHT

-We are children of God through faith in Christ, for we were baptized into Christ having clothed ourselves into Him. At the appointed time Christ died for us and set us free from slavery of sin causing death. We are therefore no longer under guardians as slaves but children of God and can now call Him Abba Father. If we belong to Christ, we are Abrahams seed and heirs according to the promise. There is therefore neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female but we are one in Christ.

SUMMARY

The appointed time in Greek is referred to as Kairos and it depicts the moment to act. This moment or time reveals to us God’s purpose in our lives and increases our faith in Christ. God uses the appointed time to accomplish every purpose under heaven. He has made everything beautiful in its time and has put eternity in our hearts, but no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. Whatever God does, shall be forever and nothing can be added to it or taken from it (Ecclesiastes 3:14). These deep things of God are revealed to us through the Holy Spirit, and His eternal purpose shall prevail. Among this, God communicates our purposes in many different ways and they come to pass at the appointed time. God spoke to Moses and instructed him to ensure all the feasts were celebrated at the appointed time. God also revealed a vision to Habakkuk about king Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion in Israel and their deliverance. He was instructed to make it plain on a tablet so that the one who reads it may find hope and revelation. True to fact, the vision came to pass as the Lord instructed. Many other patriarchs in the Bible received dreams, visions, prophecies and instructions that came to pass. For example; Joseph and Daniel were experts of interpreting dreams, Isaiah had already received the prophecy about Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion before Habakkuk, various others prophets received prophecies that came to pass, Sarah, Hannah, the Shunamite woman, Elizabeth and Mary received instructions about child birth which happened at the appointed time. Although Sarah doubted and laughed because she was old and advanced in age, the Lord accomplished it. God spoke the message of faith through this experience saying, “Is there anything too hard for the LORD?” If the Lord has done it before, He will do it again. We need to believe and have hope in Him and he will make it happen in our lives also. Despite the situations that we might be faced with that appear impossible to us, we should realize that nothing is too hard for the LORD. You could be going through joblessness, slow business, barrenness, delay, sickness, financial instability, marital issues, lack of marriage partner, family issues, addictions, political instability, poor leadership, corruption, COVID-19 and related issues, slow or no economic growth etc. We should focus our eyes on Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith, and learn from Him. The life of Jesus was governed by an appointed time. He was born at the appointed time, started ministry, performed miracles, died, was buried, resurrected from the dead and accomplished everything at the set time. Let us then put our trust in the Lord in all things, and He will make everything beautiful at His perfect time.

PRAYER

Thank You Abba Father for this day that You have made, we rejoice and are glad in it. Thank You for protecting us, providing for our every need, healing our wounds, healing our economy, reviving our churches, giving us peace in our nation, blessing our families and giving us the gift of eternal life, all glory and praise belongs to You Jesus. You declare the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done. All glory honor and power belongs to You Lord. Your purpose will be established and You will accomplish all Your good pleasure, all our hope and trust is in You Jesus. By You Lord, all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things were created through You and for You, for You were before all things and in You all things hold together. You reign Lord in all the heavens and the earth. You are seated at the right hand of the throne of God in glory, all glory, honor and salvation belongs to You. You chose us Lord before the foundations of this world, that we should be holy and blameless before You, direct us in Your way, truth and life. Deliver us from all evil and may Your light shine in us, that many may see and glorify You Jesus. All things work together for good to those who love You Lord and are called according to Your purpose, do it for us Lord according to Your will. Answer our prayers, petitions, supplications and hearts desires according to Your divine will dear master. Nothing is impossible with You LORD, bless us and enlarge our territories. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen