A new year has begun, and time seems to be flying faster than ever. In our busy lives, it's clear that time is one of the most precious things we have to offer—both to those around us and to God. Derek Prince shared a deeply personal experience in one of his update letters, offering inspiring biblical insights about the importance of resting in God's timing and learning to sanctify our time according to His will.
Rest: A Test of Faith
“God gave us the insight to walk in rhythm with Him—to do things in God’s time and not in our own time—and particularly to rest when God indicated that it was His time for us to rest.
I’ve asked a lot of servants of the Lord which requires more faith—to work or to rest? I’ve never had anybody tell me that it takes more faith to work than to rest. Resting on God’s command is a true test of faith, one that brings us to a deeper trust and dependence on Him. I believe when we master that challenge, we will automatically be moving on a higher level of faith.
"Which requires more faith—to work or to rest?"
The Bible reminds us that we do not know what tomorrow will bring. Proverbs 27:1 says,
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
I tend to plan my days carefully and stick to it rather rigidly. But none of us knows what the next day may bring forth. So, I have really begun to learn that it pays to listen to the Holy Spirit even in trivial things.
For instance, I could have decided to wash my hair tomorrow, but then the Holy Spirit says, “Wash your hair today.” That’s a real test. Am I going to give up my own fixed program and listen to the Holy Spirit?
If I do what He says, then I discover the next day something comes up quite unexpected, some emergency, some person needing help, not allowing me to follow my own plans.
Sometimes I’ve got my mind all made up about the work I want to complete that night, but the Holy Spirit says, “This evening you need to relax. Sit on your sofa for a little while and listen to some beautiful music.” I discover again that if I have the faith to obey the Holy Spirit my time is much better used than if I am always following my own preconceived program.
The Conductor of God’s Orchestra
My first wife, Lydia, often reminded me, “You are your own slave master.” She was right—I was driving myself to exhaustion rather than being led by the Spirit. Over time, I’ve begun to experience a much deeper rest by surrendering my schedule to God.
The Holy Spirit is the conductor of the Lord’s orchestra, and one of the essential things for any musician in an orchestra is to watch the conductor and take his time from him. I believe that’s true of us as Christians. God wants to make the body of Christ a beautiful symphony, but that symphony will not be a reality until all of us collectively and each of us individually have learned to take our time from the Holy Spirit.
One winter, I planned out various tasks—writing, preparing messages, and more—which I expected to complete by March. But by resting whenever the Holy Spirit prompted me, I finished everything a week early, by the end of February.
That extra time became a blessing. An unexpected invitation came to speak at a synagogue in Charlotte, North Carolina, where God was stirring the hearts of the Jewish community. Because I had rested and followed God’s timing, I was able to accept the invitation and step into this unique opportunity.
Sanctifying Time
Now I want you to know I feel I’m still a beginner in that whole field, but I thank God that He has begun to lead me in that. You may say, “Well, you’ve known the Lord so many years. How come that you didn’t achieve this earlier?” I think I was a slow learner. But I also think perhaps this an area in which most Christians have a great lack—it’s the proper disposition of time.
The first thing that God sanctified in the history of the human race was not a place but time. He sanctified the seventh day, set it apart as holy. I believe that time is still more significant than place, and I believe that we really cannot be God’s people until we have learned to sanctify time as God directs us.
I’m not speaking specifically about the observance of the Sabbath in the way that the Jewish people observe it. I’m simply saying that the first thing that God sanctified in human history was time.
"The first thing that God sanctified in human history was time."
When He dealt later with Israel, of their material possessions He required one-tenth, but of their time He required one-seventh. In other words, time is more important than material things.”
A Lesson for All Believers
Maybe you echo Derek’s experience as described above. The proper disposition of time is a skill we often lack, but it’s one the Holy Spirit is emphasizing in these days.
Why don’t you ask God to teach you righ now how to rest, trust, and walk in step with His timing? In doing so, you will experience the fruitfulness and freedom that come from a life fully surrendered to Him.
This article is taken from Derek's Personal Update Letter #22
For more inspiration, listen to Derek's sermon, Worship and Rest. Or check out his podcast, Twelve Steps To A Good Year
