To Everything a Season

“David lamented over Saul and Jonathan his son:..

‘Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places!
    How the mighty have fallen!..
You mountains of Gilboa,
    let there be no dew or rain upon you…
For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,
    the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil...

‘Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!
    In life and in death they were not divided;
they were swifter than eagles;
    they were stronger than lions...

‘How the mighty have fallen
    in the midst of the battle!

‘Jonathan lies slain on your high places.
    I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan.'”

“After this David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?.. To which shall I go?’ And he said, ‘To Hebron.’ So David went up there, and his wives… David brought up his men who were with him, everyone with his household, and they lived in Hebron.  And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king…

“When they told David, ‘It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul,’ David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, ‘May you be blessed by the Lord, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord and buried him. Now may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to you. And I will do good to you because you have done this thing.  Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant, for Saul your lord is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.’” 2 Samuel 1:17,19-21,23,25-26a; 2:1-6a,7a

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (2-8)

David was a skillful shepherd, poet, musician, warrior, and leader. God had anointed Him with an upright heart as well as discernment to know his place and assignment at any moment of time. Though he fell into grievous sin in particular instances, he moved from one occupation and exercise to the next with commendable focus and insight. As a man after God’s heart, his senses and will were engaged in God’s plans in all seasons. He moved from deep grief to military strategy, from righteous judgment to gracious blessing as the Spirit led him. (1 Samuel 13:14; 16:7,11-23; 17:34-37; 2 Samuel 1:4-16; Psalm 23; 34)

It is a grace to know both the gifts with which God has endowed us, and the paths He intends for us to employ them. We may prefer certain activities and people over others, and resist His prompting to switch gears to engage in specific duties or ministries, but His will should trump our feelings and excuses. It’s vital to seek and know His personal assignment for me at this time, in this season. His call to me is not His call to another; I’m both responsible and accountable for my personal obedience. (Esther 4:14; John 21:22; Acts 17:26; Romans 12:1-2)

How maturely do we move through God-given seasons? Are there divine appointments we’ve neglected through apathy or unwillingness to change direction? Skills we’ve let atrophy by laziness? How are we practically and actively utilizing the resources God’s entrusted to us for such a time as this?

Lord, give me wisdom, grace, and zeal for every season.