A young man set out to find his father's lost donkeys and was surprised to find himself sitting in the place of honor at a banquet. But he was utterly astonished to hear from the man who invited him, "Here is what has been reserved! Set it before you and eat, because it has been kept for you until the appointed time." What did this mean?
This happened about 3,000 years ago. The young man Saul was of the least family of smallest tribe of Israel. In but a moment, however–the moment of the "appointed time"–his life was changed forever. Though inconceivable to him, he would be Israel's first king.
The Bible is full of accounts of significant "appointed times." Queen Esther attained royalty at the right time to preserve her people from destruction. The Egyptian Pharaoh had been raised up to demonstrate God's power in the Exodus. From the beginning, Jesus had an appointment at the cross.
Saul felt he was only assuming an unwarranted place of honor at the feast. But to the prophet Samuel, it was the appointed time to choose a king. Thus the appointed times that may punctuate of our journeys should expand our perspective, not only for this life, but also for the life to come.
We tend to focus on present circumstances, but God looks at plans He formed long ago. We judge by outward appearances, but God's eye is on the heart. We seek speedy resolutions to our difficulties, but God is more interested that we learn patient endurance in whatever difficulty may befall us.
With the vision of heavenly rewards before him, the Apostle Paul ran the race of life as if to win it. Why? He was acutely aware that despite personal trials and triumphs, God's celestial calendar is marked with even greater "appointed times." While circumscribing our physical lives, they should also exert considerable influence on how we spend our few allotted days.
The time of our death is appointed. The day and hour of Christ's return–and the resurrection of the dead–is set. Each of us has an appointment before a Judge to provide a full accounting of how we have lived.
In reviewing some old journals, I see numerous recurring themes–needs and prayers that continue to surface over and over again. And with the approach of each New Year, I wonder if some "appointed time" of fulfillment might finally be at hand.
It's my earnest hope that this coming year will bring some of those "appointed times" to pass, not just for my family, but for all who read this. But let those times be reminders to us–taps on our shoulders and whispers in our ears–that far greater appointments lie just ahead. Our presence is required; will we be ready?
Copyright 2000 James McAlister
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