Season and Visitation

Season and Visitation

Ecclesiastes 3-8 1To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: 2A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; 3A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; 4A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; 5A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; 6A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; 7A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; 8A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.

Season and Times

Walking with Christ and staying close to Him is a lifelong commitment. We are told that everything has its season and its time. As we journey through life, we should recognise that the Lord is with us in every season and at every stage. Yet the Lord also speaks of people who walked with Him, saw His miracles, and lived in His very presence, and still they did not recognise that the time of their visitation had come, the truth was hidden from their eyes. [

Luke 19:41–44 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. ⁴³For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

They Missed Their Time of Visitation

The people of God missed what God was doing in their midst; they did not recognise their time of visitation. The One whom the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms had declared would come to save them was standing before them. They looked to the temple and the synagogue to be near to God.

They looked to the many teachers of the Law for guidance. Yet they did not recognise that what the Scriptures had foretold concerning the Messiah was being fulfilled in their very presence. The Gospel of peace had arrived. The New Covenant was being ushered in through Jesus Christ.

God’s promised Messiah was among them, yet they did not know Him. Though they searched the Scriptures and eagerly awaited His coming, they completely missed the fulfilment of God’s promises because they failed to recognise Him when He came.

Recognise His Time of Visitation

Here is Paul who recognised His time of visitation. We get the following picture Gal 1.11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles,] Paul wrote most of the NT and changed the world with his time of visitation.

He put it to good use over the many years and we all benefited from His obedience to the Holy Spirit by Jesus Christ. In fact He did much more than the other disciples who met and spent 3 and half years with the Lord in person.

Your Time of Visitation

Our time of visitation does not have to be like Paul or any of the disciples or anyone else you have heard or read about or anyone else in the Church. You should not make the mistake of minimising when the Spirit of God talks to you, it does not have to be earth shattering, or like wind or fire or even the ground shaking before your feet. [ And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.1 Kings 19.11] Don’t dismiss your time of visitation “waiting for a Paul the Apostle moment”.

However the Lord communicates to you in Word or Spirit or dream or visions or songs, take action. Don’t dismiss it.

Times and Season

We started the message today with a season for everything. If you are in a season of knowing the Lord and how He works, maybe you are in a building foundation season. It takes time and commitment So for instance the disciples spent approximately 1,000–1,100 days with Jesus, often 10–12 hours a day.

That’s roughly 11,000–13,000 hours in His presence. They had a long and difficult mission ahead Compare that with the average busy Christian today: ● We may spend 15 minutes a day at the lower scale = 91 hours a year. Which would take about 120 years to reach 11,000 hours. ● 30 minutes a day = 183 hours a year, about 60 years. ● 1 hour a day = 365 hours a year, about 30 years**.

The disciples didn’t mature overnight. They grew through years of listening, watching, asking questions, being corrected, praying, and obeying. During their time of visitation, they walked and worked closely with the Lord. Their transformation came through consistent, daily fellowship with Jesus.

We should also recognise what season we are in ( a renewing our mind season, getting bolder season, a trusting God season, or more freedom in certain areas of our life. Just know there is a time for everything, it does not happen quickly it takes time but also the season changes and we all move on.

7 Points to Help Recognise Your Season and Direction

● Stay close to the Spirit of Jesus –

The closer we walk with the Holy Spirit, the clearer we recognise His ways and His leading.

● Spend time in His presence

Growth comes through consistent prayer, reading His Word, and fellowship with Him.

● Trust the season you are in

Every season has a purpose. God is building something in us, even when we cannot see it yet. Don’t get frustrated if things are moving slowly or seem still ● Be willing to learn and grow Like the disciples, we mature through listening, being corrected, and allowing God to shape us. Have a heart that is teachable.

● Pay attention to God’s prompting

God may speak through His Word, the Holy Spirit, a quiet voice, or a simple moment of conviction. Be ready to respond in faith.

● Use what God has given you

Your gifts, experiences, and opportunities are part of His purpose. Be faithful with what He places in your hands.

● Trust that God is preparing you

Every step with Christ is forming you for the work ahead. His timing is perfect, and He is faithful in every season. End in Prayer.