Time for everything bible verse

The Ultimate Biblical Guide to “A Time for Everything”: Seasons, Stewardship, and Sovereignty

Part 1: The Scripture Collection (60 Verses)

I have curated these verses to cover the famous poem of Solomon, the sovereignty of God over time, the discipline of waiting, and the brevity of human life.

The Core Text: Ecclesiastes 3 (The Seasons of Life)

 

1. Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

2. Ecclesiastes 3:2 – “A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.”

3. Ecclesiastes 3:3 – “A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up.”

4. Ecclesiastes 3:4 – “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”

5. Ecclesiastes 3:5 – “A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.”

6. Ecclesiastes 3:6 – “A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away.”

7. Ecclesiastes 3:7 – “A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.”

8. Ecclesiastes 3:8 – “A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”

9. Ecclesiastes 3:11 – “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart.”

10. Ecclesiastes 3:17 – “I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.”

11. Ecclesiastes 8:6 – “For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him.”

God’s Sovereignty Over Time

 

12. Daniel 2:21 – “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings.”

13. Psalm 31:15 – “My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!”

14. Acts 1:7 – “He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.'”

15. Galatians 4:4 – “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son.”

16. Psalm 139:16 – “In your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

17. Isaiah 60:22 – “I am the Lord; in its time I will hasten it.”

18. Habakkuk 2:3 – “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come.”

19. Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you… to give you a future and a hope.” (Context of timing).

20. Job 14:5 – “Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass.”

21. Psalm 104:19 – “He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.”

22. Acts 17:26 – “And he made from one man every nation… having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.”

23. Isaiah 49:8 – “In a time of favor I have answered you; in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

24. Jeremiah 8:7 – “Even the stork in the heavens knows her times… but my people know not the rules of the Lord.”

25. Esther 4:14 – “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Redeeming the Time (Stewardship)

 

26. Ephesians 5:15-16 – “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

27. Colossians 4:5 – “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.”

28. Psalm 90:12 – “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

29. John 9:4 – “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.”

30. Proverbs 6:6-8 – “Go to the ant, O sluggard… she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.”

31. Romans 13:11 – “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep.”

32. 1 Corinthians 7:29 – “This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short.”

33. James 4:14 – “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

34. Psalm 39:4 – “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!”

35. Psalm 89:47 – “Remember how short my time is! For what vanity you have created all the children of man!”

36. Proverbs 27:1 – “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”

37. Luke 12:40 – “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Patience and Waiting on God’s Time

 

38. Psalm 27:14 – “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

39. 2 Peter 3:8 – “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

40. 2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness.”

41. Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

42. Lamentations 3:25 – “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.”

43. Lamentations 3:26 – “It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

44. Micah 7:7 – “But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.”

45. Psalm 37:7 – “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.”

46. Isaiah 40:31 – “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.”

47. Psalm 130:5 – “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.”

48. James 5:7 – “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth.”

49. Psalm 62:5 – “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.”

50. Romans 5:6 – “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

51. 1 Peter 5:6 – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.”

52. Psalm 40:1 – “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.”

53. Isaiah 30:18 – “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you… Blessed are all those who wait for him.”

54. Acts 1:6-7 – “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know…'”

55. Titus 1:3 – “And at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted.”

56. Romans 12:12 – “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

57. Luke 21:19 – “By your endurance you will gain your lives.”

58. Hebrews 10:36 – “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”

59. Psalm 69:13 – “But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God… answer me.”

60. Mark 1:15 – “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.”

Part 2: Top 25 Forum Q&A (The Believer’s Struggle with Time)

 

I have analyzed the most active discussions on r/Christianity, GotQuestions, and Christian counseling forums regarding “timing.”

1. Q: Why does God make us wait? A: Waiting is not empty time; it is active preparation. God uses time to refine our character so that when the blessing comes, we are mature enough to sustain it (James 1:4).

2. Q: How do I know what “season” of life I am in? A: Look at the fruit. Are you in a season of planting (hard work, no visible results), pruning (loss, pain, removal), or harvest (abundance)? Prayer and wise counsel help discern this.

3. Q: Is “wasting time” a sin? A: Ephesians 5:16 tells us to “redeem the time.” While rest is biblical, laziness and sloth are warned against. Wasting the gift of life is poor stewardship.

4. Q: I feel like I’m running out of time to get married/have kids. What does the Bible say? A: Psalm 31:15 says, “My times are in your hand.” Anxiety cannot add a single hour to your life (Matt 6:27). Trust that God’s clock is not broken, even when your biological clock is ticking.

5. Q: What is the difference between Chronos and Kairos time? A: Chronos is sequential time (clocks, calendars). Kairos is “opportune time” or “God-moments.” Christians live in Chronos but must be alert for Kairos.

6. Q: Does “time heal all wounds”? A: No, that is a secular saying. God heals wounds over time. Time without Jesus just solidifies bitterness.

7. Q: Why do bad things happen at “bad times”? A: Ecclesiastes 9:11 says “time and chance happen to them all.” We live in a fallen world. However, Romans 8:28 promises God weaves even bad timing into His good plan.

8. Q: How do I stop regretting lost time? A: Joel 2:25 promises, “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.” God can do more in one redeemed moment than you can in years of striving.

9. Q: Is being late a sin? A: It is a failure to love your neighbor (valuing their time). It can also be a form of pride or poor stewardship. “Let your yes be yes.”

10. Q: What does “at the proper time He will exalt you” mean? A: It means promotion comes from the Lord, not hustle. If you promote yourself too early, you may not have the character to stay there.

11. Q: How do I balance “waiting on the Lord” with “taking action”? A: Trust like it depends on God; work like it depends on you. Waiting is not passivity; it is active obedience in the hallway while waiting for the door to open.

12. Q: Why is God’s timing often “midnight” (last minute)? A: To stretch our faith. If He answered early, we might trust our own planning. When He answers late, we know it was Him (e.g., Lazarus, Daniel in the lions’ den).

13. Q: Is retirement biblical? A: We never retire from serving God, but Levites retired from heavy lifting at 50 (Numbers 8). We may change how we serve as we age, but we don’t stop bearing fruit (Psalm 92:14).

14. Q: How do I handle a season of “silence” from God? A: Remember that the Teacher is always quiet during the test. Keep doing the last thing He told you to do until you hear new instructions.

15. Q: Does “a time to kill” (Eccl 3:3) justify war? A: It acknowledges the reality of war and justice in a fallen world, but it is descriptive of life, not necessarily a prescriptive command for individual violence.

16. Q: Can I pray to change God’s timing? A: Yes. Hezekiah prayed and was given 15 more years (Isaiah 38). God is relational, not a robot. However, His ultimate will is best.

17. Q: How do I prioritize my time biblically? A: God first (Matt 6:33), then family (1 Tim 5:8), then work and ministry.

18. Q: What is the “fullness of time” (Gal 4:4)? A: It means the perfect, orchestrated moment in history when all conditions were right for the Messiah’s arrival. God is never early or late.

19. Q: Is multitasking good stewardship? A: Often, “a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). Being fully present (like Jesus with the woman at the well) is often better stewardship than doing three things poorly.

20. Q: How do I discern if a door is closed or if I just need patience? A: Persistence (Luke 18) is good, but if the fruit is only frustration and lacks peace (Col 3:15), it may be a closed door.

21. Q: Why does life seem to go faster as I get older? A: Scripture notes life is a “vapor” (James 4:14). It urges us to number our days to gain wisdom (Psalm 90:12).

22. Q: What if I feel like I was born in the wrong era? A: Acts 17:26 says God determined your allotted periods. You were made specifically for this time to be a light here.

23. Q: Is procrastination a sin? A: “Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17). Procrastination is often fear or sloth disguised.

24. Q: How do I deal with “winter” seasons of the soul? A: Don’t try to force flowers in winter. Rest, root deeper into the Word, and trust that spring is inevitable.

25. Q: Does God have a specific timeline for my career? A: He has “good works prepared beforehand” (Eph 2:10). Walk in them daily, and the career path will take care of itself.

Part 3: 20 Actionable Tips for Daily Application

At Work & Career

 

1. The First 15 Minutes: Dedicate the first 15 minutes of work to the hardest task (“A time to build”). Stop procrastinating.

2. Kairos Meetings: Before a meeting, pray, “Lord, make this a Kairos moment.” Look for opportunities to bless people, not just hit KPIs.

3. Trust in Delays: When a promotion is delayed, read Psalm 75:6-7 (“Exaltation comes from God”). Work excellently while you wait.

4. Sabbath Rest: You cannot be productive if you don’t stop. Taking a Sabbath is a declaration that God runs the world, not you.

5. Seasonal Assessment: Ask yourself quarterly: “Is this a season to push (plant) or a season to pull back (harvest/rest)?” Adjust your workload accordingly.

In Studies (School/University)

 

6. Number Your Days: Use a planner not just for assignments, but to block out time for God. “Seek first the Kingdom” applies to finals week too.

7. The “Ant” Principle: Study a little every day (Prov 6:6) rather than cramming. It is biblical wisdom applied to learning.

8. Don’t Rush the Season: Don’t be so obsessed with graduation that you miss the learning and friendships of this semester. “Be beautiful in its time.”

9. Digital Detox: “A time to keep silence.” Turn off the phone while studying. Distraction steals the time God gave you.

10. Failure Perspective: If you fail a class, remember “A time to lose” (Eccl 3:6). It’s just a season, not your identity.

Social Life & Relationships

 

11. Be Present: “A time to speak and a time to listen.” When with friends, put the phone away. Give them the gift of your time.

12. Discern Toxic Ties: “A time to cast away stones.” If a friendship causes you to sin, it may be time to distance yourself.

13. Patience with Others: People grow in their own seasons. Don’t judge someone’s “winter” just because you are in “summer.”

14. Promptness: Show up on time. It honors the image of God in the other person.

15. Celebrate Seasons: Celebrate friends’ wins (weddings, babies, promotions) without envy, knowing your season is different.

Family & Home

 

16. Screen-Free Dinner: Create “A time to embrace.” Make dinner a time for eye contact and conversation.

17. Seasons of Parenting: Parenting a toddler is different from parenting a teen. Adjust your style. Don’t use “winter” tactics in a “spring” season.

18. Morning Routine: Start the day by giving the “firstfruits” of your time to God (even 5 minutes), before giving it to social media.

19. Date Night: “A time to love.” Schedule it. Spontaneity is romantic, but scheduling is realistic and protects the marriage.

20. Legacy: “A time to build up.” Spend time building traditions that will outlast you.

Part 4: Bonus – Life Improvement with Jesus (The “Time” Upgrade)

 

How submitting to God’s timing upgrades your mental health:

• Anxiety Relief: When you truly believe “My times are in your hand” (Ps 31:15), the pressure to manipulate outcomes disappears. You sleep better.

• Focus (Deep Work): The biblical concept of stewardship turns time management from a chore into an act of worship. You become more productive because you are working for a higher Boss.

• Anti-Fragility: When you accept that there is “a time to weep,” tragedy doesn’t destroy your faith. You accept it as a season, knowing that “joy comes in the morning.” You become resilient.