Perseverance 02: God and Seasons in Life
Orientate
There is something in us that expects that life should get better for us. Next year will be happier, more rewarding, more satisfying, more successful, more pleasurable, more peaceful than this year. Of course, this is not true. We experience changing seasons in our life journey, and some will be more enjoyable than others. Some seasons are fantastic and others are really tough. Someone who knew this well was King David. He was the most godly and successful Israelite king in the Bible. And yet he faced some very difficult and taxing seasons e.g. attacked by his benefactor, rejected by his kids and friends, dealing with the consequences of his own failure, struggling with health issues, overwhelmed by enemies. David certainly had his share of good and bad seasons as he followed God. Lots of things didn’t work out well for him. Yet he retained his unshakeable faith in God. He knew God’s presence and friendship through all the different seasons of his life. Let’s read about David’s experience in one of the most famous songs he wrote.
Explore: Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Journal
1. What is God saying to me? Which verse is most significant?
2. What do I want to discuss/explore further?
3. What do I need to do?
4. Which season is closest to yours at the moment?
Reflect
I can see at least three seasons of life in this song. First, there are the “pasturelands” (1-3). These are the ordinary and refreshing times in life when God is renewing and leading us. Nothing outstanding is happening but we know that God is present. Second, there are the “shadowlands” (4). These are the dark, even tragic times when nothing seems to be going right and everything is tough. Finally, there are the “tablelands” (5-6). Times of great victory and great celebration.
David experienced all of these seasons and plenty more. So will you. Seasons will change, often with little seeming rhyme or reason. At one point in the middle of a very exciting time in ministry, God said to me, “You will have seven good years and seven tough years.” I didn’t think a lot about it because things were going so well, but sure enough after seven years the season changed. Personal life became challenging, ministry was difficult, and life generally felt disappointing. I don’t think I’d done anything wrong. God just changed the season.
Like David, you will go through many different seasons in your life. Probably, most will be mundane but fine. Some will be extraordinary, and others will be extremely painful. This is God’s plan for you and me. What David emphasises in this song is that God is close and working in all your seasons. In the pasturelands, he’s guiding and caring for you. In the shadowlands, he’s comforting and protecting you. In the tablelands, he’s celebrating and partying with you.
Your seasons will change and some will be very challenging for you. But remember God loves you deeply and is working for your good in all the seasons. Make sure you let him look after you, especially when life gets tough.
Pray
I love the good seasons Lord and I thank you that lots of tableland seasons lie ahead of me, especially when I’m with you forever. But I know that you allow me to go through tough seasons in this broken world. Please may I run to you and not away from you at these times. May my faith be strengthened and my relationship with you deepened. I need you in every season Lord.
Respond
Think of a disappointment you are facing at the moment and allow God’s presence to fill it.
