Make your time count for today and eternity

Check out the “Living the Gospel” podcast episode based on this article!

“Now the acts of King David, first and last, indeed they are written in the book of Samuel the seer… with all his reign and his might, and the events that happened to him, to Israel, and to all the kingdoms of the lands.” 1 Chronicles 29:29-30.

Times passed over David and over Israel, and there are times that pass over our life and also over the church. Many things come to light by searching in these times; our life is hidden there.

David had a time when he was a shepherd; he had a time at the royal court of Saul, a time in exile, a time when he was king of Judah, then king over all Israel, a time when he had to flee from his son, etc.

These times can be compared to the layers of the earth. These layers correspond to the different ages, and by studying these layers, archaeologists find out about the civilizations that existed in those days. From their excavations they can form a picture of how people lived and developed centuries ago.

One era forms the basis for the next. Had David not been faithful as a shepherd, then he could never have slain Goliath and thus been invited to sit at Saul’s table. If he had not been faithful in the time of his exile, he could never have become king over Israel. If he had not been faithful as king, then his throne could not have been established forever.

Different times also passed over Israel while David was king and in a position of responsibility. There were times of war, times of upheaval, of famine, of pestilence, and times of peace. Whatever affected Israel also affected David. By examining these times, we can “excavate” David’s wisdom, his great deeds, and his mistakes. Nothing is lost, for it lies hiding in the layers—in these times.

“Layers” in our own lives

God also allows different times to pass over our lives. We experience times of prosperity, times of blessing, and times of honor. We experience times of adversity, with cursing and reproach. We experience times of misunderstanding and jealousy, times in which we are the object of envy and backbiting. We also have a time of childhood, of youth, a time of manhood, and a time of old age.

These times present us with their various difficulties and temptations, as well as tasks and possibilities.  There are victories to be won and opportunities to be grasped during a particular time that cannot be won or grasped during the time that follows. Nothing of what we do or do not do is lost. It lies buried in these layers. Only a few are awake to this fact, and they understand it only after the time has passed them by. Then they wake up and realize everything they should have done and not done, but then it is too late, and the layers in the earth testify against them. (Isaiah 57:12)

There are also times that pass over the church—times of revival, times of drought, times of peace, of turmoil, times of honor and of reproach.  We are also included in these layers. When these times pass over the church, then the question is whether or not we understand the time so we become as a gold nugget in this layer of the church and not a rusty piece of scrap iron.

People usually prefer one time to another. They would rather have only times of revival and peace, and not times of war and drought. However, such desires are not born of wisdom, because all these times must pass over our lives and the church, so we can be tested and qualified to sit on thrones with Jesus. But just as Jesus was the cause for the fall and rising of many, so these times will also reveal people’s attitudes and will be either for their fall or their rising.

Most people do not want anyone to dig in these layers; they hate these “archaeologists.” Nevertheless, we cannot hinder them, and we must accept it. People cannot find everything, but God shall one day dig up everything that is hiding in these layers—in these times. Therefore, we must watch and pray so we can remain blameless during these times, and stand without spot or wrinkle after having overcome all things. (Ephesians 6:13; 1 Peter 1:6-7)

“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.” 2 Peter 3:14.