“You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to be gracious and show favor to her; Yes, the appointed time [the moment designated] has come.” – Psalm 102:13, AMP

I have permanently set two alarms in my phone.

The moment it clocks the exact time – the appointed time – that was set, the alarm will start, even if the phone was switched off.

The idea of the appointed time captures the fact that a specific time has been predetermined or scheduled for a particular thing to happen.

I am one of those who get upset whenever we show up at an office and they ask; “Are you on appointment?”

But even in the natural world, we get to appreciate God’s predetermined plan and timing for events including the seasons and even animals and plants things.  

For example, if ten people plant ten different crops at the same time today, the person who planted vegetables might start harvesting in less than a month.

The person who planted beans might have sauce after two months.

However, the person who planted a banana or an avocado plant might wait way much longer to get a harvest.

Each crop has its own ‘appointed time.’

But when it finally matures, an avocado tree would produce lots of fruits for years.

Regardless of how long it takes, the appointed time will always come.

The greater the gift, the longer the wait. Some of life’s most precious things are worth every moment of the wait.

Regardless of how long you seem to have waited while others are receiving their blessing, God challenges you today not to lose your patience.

“For it is time to be gracious and show favor to her; Yes, the appointed time – the set time – has come,” says the psalmist in our meditation today.

To Christians, the concept of ‘appointed time’ reminds us of God’s predetermined plan and timing for events, both in our individual lives and in history.

For example, Galatians 4:4 says; “But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.”

This shows us that in God’s plan for humanity, the coming of our Lord Jesus had been planned way ahead of time and it did happen at the exact time that was set.

In our understanding, we probably think that He should have during this amazing information age, but God orchestrates all events according to His perfect will and timing.

It reminds us that life is not a series of random events, but part of a divine plan where God knows the past, present, and future.

The Greek word ‘kairos’signifies a specific opportune moment or season, often emphasizing God’s perfect timing.

That was the reminder that God gave Abraham in regard to the promise that his elderly wife would conceive and have a son.

“Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” (Genesis 18:14).

Habakkuk 2:3 says; “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”

Let the idea that God has a plan and timing for everything sink in your spirit.

Our God is sovereign and in control of the timing of every event and every season.

Like the brother sang; “He’s up to something” and only He knows the something that He’s up to!

Let’s wait on Him with patience and trust, for His timing usually doesn’t align with our human expectations.

As the popular adage says; “Good things come to those who wait” – meaning that often, the most meaningful outcomes require time, persistence, and faith.

Regardless of how long you seem to have waited while others are receiving their blessing, God challenges you today not to lose your patience. 

At the appointed time He will certainly show up for you too, oh yes He will. Say a big Amen!