WHEN GOD COMPRESSES TIME FOR YOUR SAKE
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: Joel 2:25-26
"I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed."
Supporting Texts: Isaiah 60:22, 2 Kings 20:1-6, Habakkuk 2:3, Ecclesiastes 3:11
INTRODUCTION:
In life, many of us have encountered situations where time seems to slip away, whether due to delays, missed opportunities, or circumstances that hinder progress. These moments of frustration and despair often lead us to wonder if all is lost or if we will ever catch up with our purpose. However, the God we serve is not bound by time. He has the power to compress time and make up for the years that may have been lost, bringing restoration in a way that only He can. When God compresses time, He accelerates His plan for our lives, shortening the wait and bringing us to the fullness of our destiny faster than we could imagine.
In Joel 2:25-26, God promises to restore what has been lost, and not just in terms of material possessions but also in the spiritual, emotional, and relational areas of our lives. He is a God of restoration, and when He decides to compress time, He makes things happen quickly, bringing rapid change that results in overflow and satisfaction. It is a supernatural act that shifts the trajectory of our lives, allowing us to fulfill His plans within a short span of time.
The concept of God compressing time is not just a futuristic hope but a present reality that we can experience today. In this study, we will explore how God compresses time for His people, how we can align ourselves with His timing, and how to prepare to receive divine restoration. As we dive deeper into this, we will learn to trust God’s ability to accelerate our progress and restore what has been lost.
1. GOD IS THE LORD OF TIME AND ETERNITY
God, who created time, is not limited by it; He is sovereign over all.
a) God’s Control Over Time
God stands outside the constraints of time, knowing the beginning from the end (Isaiah 46:10).
b) Time Is in His Hands
He holds the times and seasons in His hands, and He determines when things happen (Daniel 2:21).
c) Eternal Nature of God
God is eternal, meaning He has no beginning or end, and He sees all of time at once (Psalm 90:2).
d) Divine Timing Is Perfect
God’s timing is always perfect, even when it feels like we are running out of time (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11).
Biblical Example: God’s timely intervention in the lives of His people, such as when He provided manna and quail for Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 16).
2. GOD’S PROMISE OF RESTORATION
God promises to restore what has been lost, whether due to personal failure, delay, or external factors.
a) Restoration of What Is Lost
In Joel 2:25-26, God promises to restore what the locusts have eaten, which includes time and resources.
b) Spiritual Restoration
God also restores spiritual vitality, drawing us back to Himself when we’ve drifted (Psalm 51:12).
c) Restoring Relationships
Time lost in broken relationships can also be restored when God’s hand moves to heal and reconcile (Malachi 4:6).
d) Restoration of Health and Strength
God can restore not only time but also physical and emotional health, renewing our strength like the eagle’s (Isaiah 40:31).
Biblical Example: The restoration of Job, who received double for his trouble (Job 42:10-16).
3. WHEN GOD COMPRESSES TIME, HIS WORK IS SUDDEN AND ACCELERATED
God is capable of speeding up His plans and making things happen rapidly.
a) Supernatural Acceleration
God can shorten processes, allowing us to accomplish in a short time what would normally take years (2 Kings 20:1-6).
b) Quick Miracles and Breakthroughs
When God compresses time, miracles happen quickly, and breakthroughs manifest faster than expected (Habakkuk 2:3).
c) Sudden Shifts
God can cause sudden shifts in circumstances that lead to rapid advancement and success (Isaiah 60:22).
d) The Power of Divine Speed
Time may seem against us, but with God’s intervention, we can accomplish more in a shorter span (Romans 9:28).
Biblical Example: The sudden advancement of Joseph from prison to palace in a day (Genesis 41:14-46).
4. ENGAGING FAITH TO RECEIVE TIME COMPRESSION
Our faith plays a key role in receiving the supernatural compression of time.
a) Believe in God’s Power to Restore
Trust that God is able to restore everything that has been lost and accelerate His plan in your life (Mark 9:23).
b) Confession and Declaration of Restoration
Speak forth the restoration and acceleration of God in your life (Romans 4:17).
c) Patience in God’s Timing
Though God can move suddenly, we must also trust His perfect timing for the manifestation of His promises (Psalm 27:14).
d) Act on Your Faith
Take steps of obedience that align with God’s will, even as you await the acceleration of His work in your life (James 2:26).
Biblical Example: The faith of the woman with the issue of blood, who received her healing by trusting in Jesus (Mark 5:34).
5. GOD’S PURPOSE IS NEVER DELAYED, ONLY PREPARED
When God compresses time, it’s not just about speed but about fulfilling His perfect purpose.
a) Preparation for Greater Impact
Sometimes delays are part of God’s plan to prepare us for something greater. God compresses time to ensure we are fully prepared for His purpose (Romans 8:28).
b) Purpose-Focused Acceleration
When God accelerates your progress, it’s because He is positioning you for a greater impact (Jeremiah 29:11).
c) No Wasted Time in God’s Plan
Even what seems like lost time is used by God to shape us for His glory (Romans 8:28).
d) Bringing Glory to God
The compression of time ultimately brings glory to God as His plans unfold in an accelerated manner (Isaiah 43:7).
Biblical Example: God used Moses’ time in the wilderness to prepare him for the deliverance of Israel (Exodus 3:1-10).
CONCLUSION:
When God compresses time for our sake, He brings restoration and acceleration beyond our comprehension. His power to restore years and redeem time is a testament to His goodness and sovereignty. In a world where time often feels lost, God’s promise of restoration assures us that He can accelerate His plans for our lives, moving us forward at a supernatural pace. Just as God restored the years for the Israelites, He is able to restore and accelerate the lost years in your life, turning setbacks into setups for greater success and fulfillment.
As we trust in God’s perfect timing, we must have faith that He will compress time for our benefit, bringing divine acceleration and restoration. No matter the circumstances that have caused delays or setbacks, God is able to move swiftly and supernaturally to bring you into the fullness of your destiny. Be encouraged today that when God compresses time for your sake, the result is always greater than anything you could have imagined.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, I receive Your power to restore everything I have lost in the name of Jesus.
2. Lord, compress time for my sake and bring me into the fullness of Your plans for my life.
3. I declare that every delay in my life is being overturned by divine acceleration.
4. Holy Spirit, empower me to walk in the supernatural restoration that God has promised me.
5. I thank You, Lord, for turning my setbacks into setups for greater breakthroughs and success.
