Let’s begin this exploration with my favourite Bible verse about time;
“There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
What Does The Bible Say About Time
The Bible teaches us that time is something precious and given to us by God for a purpose, and throughout the Scriptures, we are reminded that our time on earth is limited and should be used wisely, for we do not know how many days we have. God wants us to understand that each moment we have is a gift, and He encourages us to make the most of it by living in ways that honor Him, benefit others, and help us grow in love, kindness, and faith.
The Bible also speaks about different seasons in our lives, reminding us that there is a time for everything, a time to grow, a time to learn, a time to celebrate, a time to rest, and a time to let go, and that God is with us in every season, helping us to understand the purpose of each stage of our lives. When we use our time to seek God, to pray, and to grow spiritually, we are aligning ourselves with His will, and this helps us to live with purpose and peace, knowing that we are walking in the path He has set for us.
Furthermore, the Bible teaches us not to worry about tomorrow but to live fully in the present, trusting God for our future and knowing that He holds our tomorrow in His hands. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t plan, but it does mean we shouldn’t be overly anxious about things we cannot control, because God calls us to live in faith, trusting that He will provide for us and guide us each day.
Ultimately, the Bible encourages us to spend our time on what truly matters, investing in our relationship with God, caring for others, and making choices that have eternal value, for time is a gift that we cannot get back, and one day we will stand before God to give an account of how we used the life and time He gave us.
God’s Perfect Timing
God’s timing is beyond our understanding but is always perfect. These verses encourage us to trust that God works all things in His time and that His timing is always the best for our lives.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
“There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth.”
Habakkuk 2:3
“This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.”
Galatians 4:4
“But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman.”
Psalm 31:15
“Hour by hour I place my days in your hand, safe from the hands out to get me.”
Isaiah 60:22
“The runt will become a great tribe, the weakling become a strong nation. I am God. At the right time I’ll make it happen.”
Romans 5:6
“Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready.”
Time to Grow in Wisdom
Time gives us the opportunity to grow in wisdom and in our relationship with God. These verses remind us to spend time wisely and to focus on gaining understanding and wisdom.
Proverbs 16:9
“We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.”
James 1:5
“If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.”
Psalm 90:12
“Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!”
Psalm 119:105
“By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.”
James 3:17
“Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings.”
Time for Rest and Renewal
Time is also for rest and renewal. These Bible verses remind us of the importance of resting and finding our strength in God, especially during challenging times.
Matthew 11:28
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.”
Psalm 23:2
“You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from.”
Exodus 33:14
“God said, ‘My presence will go with you. I’ll see the journey to the end.’”
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.”
Mark 6:31
“Jesus said, ‘Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.’”
Psalm 62:1
“God, the one and only—I’ll wait as long as he says. Everything I need comes from him.”
Time to Serve Others
God calls us to use our time to serve others in love. These verses remind us to focus on serving, giving, and using our time to show God’s love to the world.
1 Peter 4:10
“Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it.”
Galatians 6:9
“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.”
Matthew 5:16
“Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!”
Luke 6:38
“Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing.”
Hebrews 13:16
“Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others.”
1 John 3:18
“Let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love.”
Time to Seek God’s Will
God desires us to use our time to seek His will for our lives. These verses remind us of the importance of aligning our actions and decisions with God’s purpose and guidance.
Matthew 6:33
“Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”
Proverbs 19:21
“We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails.”
Romans 12:2
“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”
Psalm 37:5
“Open up before God, keep nothing back; he’ll do whatever needs to be done.”
James 4:15
“You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing.”
Time for Patience and Perseverance
Patience and perseverance are key virtues in our walk with God. These verses teach us to remain patient and to endure as we await God’s promises and the fulfillment of His plans.
Romans 8:25
“But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.”
Hebrews 10:36
“You need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion.”
Psalm 27:14
“Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit. I’ll say it again: Stay with God.”
James 5:8
“Be patient. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time.”
Galatians 6:9
“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.”
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.”
Time to Reflect on Eternity
Our earthly life is temporary, and God wants us to use our time to prepare for eternity. These verses call us to live with an eternal perspective, keeping our focus on God’s kingdom and our eternal home.
2 Corinthians 4:18
“There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”
John 3:16
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.”
Psalm 39:4
“Tell me, what’s going on, God? How long do I have to live? Give me the bad news!”
Philippians 3:20
“But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting for the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 3:8
“Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.”
Time to Acknowledge Life’s Seasons
Life brings different seasons, each with its unique purpose. God reminds us to appreciate each season, whether joyful or challenging, as He works through every part of our lives.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
“There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth.”
Psalm 1:3
“You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.”
Psalm 30:5
“The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter.”
Daniel 2:21
“He changes the seasons and guides history, He raises up kings and also brings them down.”
Ecclesiastes 3:17
“I said to myself, ‘God will judge righteous and wicked alike, for there is a time for every purpose and for every work.’”
Christian Quotes About Time
“Time is one of God’s greatest gifts, and how we use it will determine the depth of our relationship with Him.” – Charles Spurgeon
“The way we spend our time speaks to what we love most. God measures the value of our days by our devotion to Him.” – John Piper
“Time is the arena in which God works His miracles; do not squander it, for it is precious.” – Joyce Meyer
“If we don’t make time for God, we lose the essence of our existence; in Him, every moment has meaning.” – Rick Warren
“Our lives are moments in God’s grand design. We honor Him when we treat time as a gift to be used wisely.” – Francis Chan
“Redeem the time; every moment can be an offering to God if we let it be.” – A.W. Tozer
“Each day is a treasure, given by God; let us be stewards who manage it in a way that glorifies Him.” – Max Lucado
“Time is short, eternity is long. Let us not waste this brief gift but use it to bring glory to God.” – Billy Graham
“The clock of life is wound but once. Time is a divine gift, never to be taken for granted.” – Leonard Ravenhill
“A day given is an opportunity; let it be a chance to make the Kingdom visible through our lives.” – T.D. Jakes