The Appointed Time

By Deborah Kendrick

On this day in 1918, the war to end all wars, known in its time as the Great War, finally ended. The truce’s conditions appointed that at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in the Year of our Lord 1918, all combat would cease. Thus November 11 is honored throughout North America, the British Commonwealth, and Europe. In America, we call it Armistice Day; in Great Britain, it is Remembrance Day. In France, every village has a monument in the town center commemorating this war. Inside the local parish, they inscribed on the walls the names of each soldier from their village who had perished. It is both a beautiful and haunting experience.

We know, of course, that this war did not end all wars; in fact, no longer is it called the Great War, rather the First World War. However, for those on the battlefields, hiding in their barns, fleeing the fighting in their villages, it was a time of great magnitude. The last four years had been savage and brutal. This truce was the commencement of the restoration of peace that they longed. Truly, peace is what every soul who walks the earth yearns.

The Bible speaks of many appointed times for nations, especially Israel.

You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. Psalm 102:3

In the midst of his misery, a man named Job cried out to God.

If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my appointed time (struggle) I will wait until my change come. Job 14:14

Job searched for the answer to a question we do not even need to ask. We know the answer. There is indeed life eternal. We will all live again after this life. God answered that question for all of humanity, and the record of that is the Bible. Job lived through an appointed time of suffering, which caused him to search God for eternal truth.

When it comes to the ultimate appointment, the unknown writer of Hebrews sums it up brilliantly.

And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment. Hebrews 9:27

We will all face an appointed time to meet God and receive the due recompense of our lives. Reincarnation is not a Christian afterlife. We are appointed only one death.

God has appointed times and seasons for nations, for each of us individually, and the destiny of mankind. Prayer is the avenue of communication where we can open our hearts to Him, and He, in return, invites us in to search His heart. We are neither abandoned nor orphans. He has given us a seat with Him at the table.

Our Father in Heaven, how precious are the words of Your Son, Blessed and the peacemakers, for they shall be called Your children. We implore Your mercy upon this spinning earth on which we dwell. Grace us by Your Holy Spirit to be Your makers of peace and Your fountains of grace. Amen.