17-Jun-2024 – God gives time for a reason, and for the upcoming season
Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried—Zechariah 7:7
In this chapter, several houses of Israel were inquiring about whether they should continue fasting in the fifth month as they had been doing. We understand that they were regularly fasting in the fifth month every year.
Then God responds to Zechariah, highlighting the problem with their request:
“When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?”
“Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?”
— Zechariah 7:5-6
Here, God is questioning their motives behind their fasting. When they enjoyed their feasts, they did so for their own pleasure. But when it comes to fasting, if they claim to be doing it for the Lord, it must genuinely be for His pleasure. However, God indicates that their fasting was not for His pleasure.
“Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.”
— Zechariah 7:9-10
This is what pleases God. If they had truly fasted, they would have heeded these words from the prophets sent by God.
“But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.”
— Zechariah 7:11-12
God responds with detailed reasons for their current situation. Even in the last seventy years, they fasted in the appointed months, but it was merely for the sake of doing it. When God sent His prophets to give them direction, they closed their ears and refused to listen.
Today, God is telling us that when we are given time, we must hear His word. Because once we lose that time, we lose the blessings prepared for that moment.
If the Israelites had heard God’s words during their safe, happy, and joyful times, they would have enjoyed the Lord’s blessings with divine protection from all their enemies.
In Greek, the word for this kind of time or season is “Kairos,” which means an opportune time—a time when your work counts for the next phase of your life.
If the Israelites had obeyed God in their Kairos time, they would have lived at a different level. Today, God is reminding us of the time He has given us. It could be your Kairos time; if you neglect God’s word, the next phase may be difficult to bear.
Prayer:
Dear loving heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and grace. Thank You for teaching me today about Your times and our opportunities. I sincerely acknowledge that I have wasted many such Kairos times in my life. As the times and seasons are in Your hands, please forgive me and give me another opportunity to set things right and enjoy the blessings You have prepared for my life. I pray in the name of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, Amen!
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