Christian Foundations 6 - PerseveranceSample

GOD AND SEASONS IN LIFE

There is something in us that expects that life should get better. 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 exciting 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. being attacked by his benefactor and mentor, being rejected by his kids and friends, dealing with the consequences of his own failure, struggling with health issues, and being 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.

Read: Psalm 23

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 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 led me into a new season.

Like David, you will go through many different seasons in your life. Probably, many will be mundane but fine. Some will be extraordinary, and others will be extremely painful. And many will be a mixture of all of these. This is God’s plan for you and me. What David emphasises in this song is that God is close and working in all of 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.