“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Introduction
Every believer’s journey is marked not only by the promises of God but also by the timing of God. We often understand the what of God’s plan, but struggle with the when. The Bible reminds us that God is not bound by our human schedules. He operates on a divine calendar. Our lives are often planned by our own calendars, but God has His own timing. To walk in destiny, we must discern/ learn to align with His divine calendar
It is not enough to know God’s promises; we must also align with God’s timing to walk in His purposes
1. Understanding God’s Calendar
a) Two Types of Time
- Chronos – chronological, sequential time (days, weeks, years). Luke 1:5 – the time of Herod
- Kairos – God’s appointed, opportune, and decisive time. Galatians 4:4 – “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son.”
b) God’s Calendar of Appointed Times of Visitation
“Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly… Then will the LORD be jealous for His land, and pity His people” (Joel 2:15, 18)
“At the appointed time I will return to you…” (Genesis 18:14)
“The time of my visitation” (Luke 19:44)
“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)
“Times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)
When God calls us into seasons of fasting, prayer, or retreat, it is more than just a religious exercise. It is His invitation, a divine appointment on Heaven’s calendar. These are moments where:
- Heaven opens to release direction
Our hearts are softened to hear clearly - God repositions us for His next move
- Breakthroughs, deliverance, and renewal of covenant take place
Biblical Examples
Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28): Forty days of fasting became God’s appointed time to give the Law
Elijah (1 Kings 19:8-12): A forty-day retreat led to an encounter with God’s still small voice
Daniel (Daniel 9–10): Seasons of fasting brought angelic visitation and prophetic revelation
Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11): His fasting prepared Him for ministry and divine empowerment
Acts 13:2: As they ministered to the Lord with fasting, the Holy Spirit gave direction for missions
Every time God draws us into a season of fasting, prayer, or retreat, He is saying: “I want to visit you. I want to reveal My heart, shift your destiny, and align you with My purposes.”
God works through prophetic cycles, not random events
2. Why Align with God’s Calendar?
a) To Walk in Order, Not Confusion
1 Corinthians 14:33 – “God is not the author of confusion but of peace.”
When we run ahead or lag behind, we create disorder in God’s plans for our lives
b) To Experience Divine Favor
Psalm 102:13 “You will arise and have mercy on Zion; the time to favor her, the appointed time, has come.”
Favor is tied to divine timing. Esther entered the king’s presence at the right time (Esther 5:1–2)
c) To Avoid Struggle
Abraham and Sarah rushed ahead with Hagar (Genesis 16). This birthed Ishmael, a source of conflict
Misaligned timing can produce unnecessary battles
d) To Fulfill Destiny
1 Chronicles 12:32 The Sons of Issachar had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do. Destiny requires timing. Right action at the wrong time is still failure
3. Dangers of Misalignment
Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem Luke 19:41-44
Luke 19: 41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “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. 43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44 and 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.”
- Missed Opportunities
Israel missed the chance to enter Canaan due to unbelief (Numbers 14:39–45) - Frustration and Weariness
Proverbs 19:2 – “Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.” - Delay in Destiny
Staying in a season God has left behind (Saul clinging to kingship after God’s rejection – 1 Samuel 15:23–28) - Birth of Counterfeits
Acting outside God’s timing often births substitutes (Ishmael vs. Isaac)
When we neglect God’s call to fasting and prayer, we risk missing the appointed moment of release, guidance, and breakthrough
4. How to Align with God’s Calendar
a) Through Prayerful Sensitivity
Habakkuk 2:1–3 wait to see what God will say, for the vision is for an appointed time. Prayer aligns our spirit to hear the rhythms of heaven
b) Through Obedience in Waiting
“Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” Isaiah 40:31 Waiting is not inactivity; it is active trust
Alignment requires action when God says “move,” even if it looks inconvenient. Genesis 12:1–4 Abraham left at God’s appointed time and entered divine blessing. Obey small instructions promptly; this trains you for bigger Kairos moments
c) By Discerning Prophetic Seasons
“He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings.” Daniel 2:21 Ask: What season am I in? Is it sowing, waiting, pruning, or harvest? Each requires a different response.
1 Chronicles 12:32 The sons of Issachar understood the times and knew what Israel should do. Journal your spiritual journey and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your current season
d) Walking by Faith
“Yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry.” Hebrews 10:37
Faith keeps us steady between the promise and its manifestation
e) By Being Led by the Spirit
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Romans 8:14 The Spirit reveals God’s timings and appointments
f) Deepen Your Intimacy with God
To align with His calendar, you must hear His voice and discern His nudges
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27
Develop consistency in prayer, fasting, and meditation on the Word
g) Repent of Wasted Time & Seek Restoration
Many miss seasons because of disobedience, distractions, or delay. But God restores. “I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten.” Joel 2:25
In prayer, ask God to redeem lost years and accelerate you into His timeline
5. Biblical Case Studies
Joseph (Genesis 37–41) endured 13 years of process before stepping into destiny at God’s appointed time
Moses (Exodus 2) acted prematurely by killing the Egyptian, but 40 years later, God sent him in His timing
Esther (Esther 4:14) positioned by God for “such a time as this.”
Jesus was always conscious of His “hour”. He said, “My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4; 7:6), but later declared, “The hour has come” (John 12:23)
Practical Applications
- Surrender your personal plans and calendars to God
2. Start every season with prayer, asking: “Lord, what time is it in my life?”
3. Stay alert to prophetic indicators; changes in circumstances, divine nudges, confirmations through Scripture
4. Avoid comparing your timing with others—God’s calendar for you is unique.
Reflection Questions
- What areas of my life show impatience with God’s timing?
- Am I producing Ishmaels because of rushing ahead of God?
- How can I practically cultivate waiting on the Lord in this season?
- Do I recognize my current spiritual season (planting, pruning, waiting, or harvesting)?
- How do I respond when God says, “not yet”?
Conclusion
Beloved, aligning with God’s calendar is the secret to fruitfulness and peace. Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us that God makes everything beautiful in His time When we submit our Chronos to God’s Kairos, we experience breakthroughs, open doors, and fulfilled destinies
The Anointed Scribe’s Lamp 