Welcome back to the Part 2 as I was mediating, praying and contemplating the direction for this part of the message the Lord woke me in the middle of the night with what was an unusual verse to me. But God, then He opened up a revelation, that amazed me, for me to share today. Let’s look at that verse now:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)
“Everything Has Its Time
1 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven”:
This verse is follow by 28 examples to back up this verse
Let’s have a closer look at them
Ecclesiastes 3:2-8
A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace.
The revelation the Lord shared with me was this, for every word He releases there is a season to plant it (start it, apply it) AND a season to harvest it (complete it).
He said notice there is a PLURAL season, then took me to another verse confirming this.
Isaiah 55:11
“so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it”. NIV
This verse I love as through experience I have learnt that every word He speaks contains all the ingredients required to see completion of the word.
The Lord then said to me
“Craig if My word is not planted in the right season, then I know it will not be completed or bring the harvest, so I will past the word to another for them to plant, hence they will receive what was for the original first person to have”.
Wow! Selah there, and read it again to take it all in, then continue on.
Then He took me to the story of the Israelites, and the word He spoke to Moses and the people about the land that they would possess and flourish in, yet, they did not plant the word in season the day they were to enter it.
So the Lord past the word on to Joshua and Caleb, and they planted it by entering the land and receiving what the past generation should have had.
Here you might be saying where’s grace? Firstly yes I believe that through repentance the Lord can provide another opportunity to plant, and this is seen in the 40 years in the dessert, where the Lord was probably waiting for this to happen, but sadly it never did.
I need to say I really believe that once we miss the season of planting His word it becomes more of a challenge to do so, Yet I also believe it is possible.
What I believe the Lord was revealing here was these points:
Every word that goes out from His mouth will accomplish what He desires and achieves the purpose for which He sent it.
If He gives His word to a person or people who DON’T PLANT IT IN THE RIGHT SEASON, He will take it and pass it to another who will so the word will accomplish what He desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Remember in part one we saw the enemy taking the word away, But now, we see THE LORD ALSO DOES IT!
Let’s leave it there for today as this is a lot to take in.
Challenge: Grab space and your journal to be with the Lord and record His responses.
- 1. Lord would You show me what season I am in, planting or harvesting?
- 2. Lord would You show me what season You are asking me to be in, planting or harvesting? and How to do this Your way?
- 3. Lord would You recall any words I’ve received from You, that I haven’t planted in the right season? Wait and linger as He shares, then let Holy Spirit lead you how He wants You to go, whether it’s repentance and then a willingness to plant in the right season. Offer prayer to God in agreement to what He is inviting You to.
4. Praise His Glorious Name, through Worship and Giving Thanks. Give Him a Sacrifice of Praise, He is Worthy.
Father God, Thank You for this incredible revelation of Time for all things, and of Plural seasons, would You help us to know what season planting or harvesting we are in, and enable us to be available for You to use us in that season, so that we and our family can possess and flourish in the land You have given us, to the Glory of God. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Craig Patten
Itinerate Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Ministries
