TIME

"God's Sovereignty Over Time"

Introduction:

Time is a precious and limited resource, and we often find ourselves grappling with its passing and our ability to manage it.

We have questions about God's involvement in time and how it relates to our lives.

However, today, I want to share with you the comforting truth of God's sovereignty over time—a truth that brings hope and assurance to our hearts.

1: God's Creation and Control of Time

Let's begin by acknowledging that God, in His infinite wisdom and power, is not bound by time as we are.

In fact, He is the Creator of time itself. In the opening verses of the Bible, we read in Genesis 1:1-5

“1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.”

God's creation of time is a testament to His sovereignty over it.

He established the rhythm of day and night, seasons, and the passing of years.

Additionally, the Scriptures affirm His control over time in verses such as Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

“1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”

and Psalm 31:15 “15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.” .

These passages remind us that God has appointed specific seasons and times for everything under heaven, and our lives are encompassed within His perfect timing.

As Pastor Timothy Keller aptly stated,

"God is not bound by time as we are. He is the author of time and has the power to intervene and direct its course."

Understanding that God created time impacts our view of its value and purpose.

Time is a gift from God, and we are called to steward it wisely, using it for His glory and the benefit of others.

Reflecting on our own lives and the lives of others, we can witness evidence of God's control over time.

In our moments of joy, pain, waiting, and fulfillment, God orchestrates the timing of events to fulfill His purposes.

Today, take a moment to ponder and during the small groups share with one another how you have seen God's hand at work in your life or in the lives of those around you.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does understanding that God created time impact your view of its value and purpose?

2. In what ways have you seen evidence of God's control over time in your life or in the lives of others?

2: Trusting God's Timing

While God is sovereign over time, we often struggle with impatience and the desire to control our own timing and outcomes.

We want things to happen according to our plans and schedules, and waiting becomes difficult.

However, throughout the Scriptures, we encounter numerous examples of individuals who wrestled with waiting for God's timing.

Consider the story of Abraham and Sarah.

God had promised them a child, but as years passed, they grew impatient and tried to fulfill God's promise in their own way.

Sarah suggested that Abraham have a child with her servant Hagar, leading to strife and complications (Genesis 16).

Similarly, Moses, though called by God to deliver the Israelites from slavery, took matters into his own hands and ended up fleeing Egypt prematurely (Exodus 2:11-15

“11 One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. 12 Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?” 14 The man said, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “What I did must have become known.” 15 When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well.”

In these accounts, we observe the consequences of not trusting God's timing.

Impatience and self-reliance often lead us astray and hinder us from experiencing the fullness of God's blessings.

Pastor Charles Stanley reminds us,

"God's timing is perfect. Trusting Him often means waiting, but it's worth it."

Take a moment to reflect on your own life.

1. Are there areas where you struggle to trust God's timing? Why?

It may be a desire for a job, a life partner, or an answer to a prayer.

Recognize that God's plans are greater than our own, and His timing is perfect.

Cultivating patience and trust in God's timing requires surrendering our desires, aligning our hearts with His will, and resting in His faithfulness.

2. How can we cultivate patience and trust in God's timing, even when it seems delayed or different from our expectations?

3: Embracing God's Eternal Perspective

As finite beings, we have limitations in our understanding of time and its purpose in God's plan.

However, we serve a God whose perspective transcends time itself.

Scripture reveals that God's nature is eternal, and His view of time is vastly different from ours.

In 2 Peter 3:8-9, we read:

"But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

Isaiah 55:8-9 further reminds us:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

These verses emphasize God's eternal nature and His perspective of time.

Though we may feel that God is slow in fulfilling His promises or that our prayers are unanswered, we can be confident that God is never late and never early.

He is always precisely on time, aligning events according to His perfect plan, even when it doesn't feel like it to us.

Embracing God's eternal perspective transforms our view of time and our circumstances.

It reminds us that our lives are part of a greater narrative written by the hand of God.

Even in seasons of waiting, confusion, or disappointment, we can trust that God's timing is purposeful and ultimately for our good.

In closing, let us summarize the main points we have explored today:

God's creation and control of time, the importance of trusting His timing, and embracing His eternal perspective.

As we reflect on these truths, I invite you to consider your own relationship with time.

Are there anxieties, impatience, or areas where you struggle to trust God's timing?

Today, surrender them to the One who holds all time in His hands.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does embracing God's eternal perspective change the way we view time and our circumstances?

2. How can we develop a deeper trust in God's timing, even when it doesn't align with our own desires or plans?

Remember the assurance that comes from trusting in God's sovereignty over time.

He is faithful in all seasons, and His timing is perfect.

May we find comfort and hope in knowing that God is the Lord of time, and in His presence, we can experience true peace and rest.

Let us pray.