“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;…” 2 Timothy 4:2. “Apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” Proverbs 25:11 (NASB95)
When talking to people who are inquiring about the way to the Lord, we need to be mindful of their circumstances. There are weighty occasions when one word may be more valuable, more potent, that would a thousand words at a different time. When people experience times of difficulty, grief, or decision-making — when the heart is hungering after God — we are to be instant in the Lord’s service. We instantly respond whether it is convenient (in season) or inconvenient (out of season) to ourselves. We are gladly ready to lay down our lives for one another.
We are to distinguish, however, between times inconvenient to ourselves and inconvenient to others. We are to be willing to serve and preach to others at any time, however inconvenient to ourselves, if it is an opportune time for the hearer. We are not to be pushy and intrude our message upon others when inconvenient to them (even when it is convenient for ourselves).
God’s word spoken at the right time is as precious as a golden apple. It satisfies the longing soul as nothing else will do. Psalm 107:9 (RSV), God “satisfies him who is thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.”
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