Time and Chance: Preparing for Your Season
The Bible says, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11)
These words come from a man reflecting on life—his own and that of those around him. He had seen the reality that strength does not guarantee victory, wisdom does not guarantee provision, and skill does not guarantee favor. Have you ever met professors or highly educated men who are still poor? Have you seen people who may not be wise by worldly standards, yet they walk in riches? This shows us that human wisdom, knowledge, or skill alone cannot secure success.
So, what then makes the difference? The key in this statement “time and chance happeneth to them all.” The word time here speaks of maturity, coming of age. Wisdom without maturity remains unfruitful. Many have knowledge from books, but only through time, growth, and experience can wisdom be applied effectively. The word chance speaks of opportunity. When maturity meets opportunity, manifestation happens. But opportunities can be missed if one is unprepared. The children of Israel had their time and chance when the twelve spies were sent into the Promised Land. But ten came back with an evil report that produced fear and unbelief, and because of that, an entire generation missed their promise (Numbers 13:31–33).
Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…” Preparation is the bridge between your present and your time of opportunity. Many wait passively for God to act, but the scripture tells us to work with diligence in what our hands find to do. Prayer is not wasting time—it is preparation. Hard work is not wasted effort—it is preparation. Application of wisdom is not in vain—it is preparation. When time and chance come, only those who have prepared will seize the moment.
Dr. Myles Munroe once said that the cemetery is the wealthiest place on earth, because buried there are dreams never realized, books never written, businesses never started. Time and chance came, but the people were not ready. Ecclesiastes 9:10 continues: “…for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” In other words, once life ends, the opportunities of this world end with it. You cannot take your dreams, your ideas, or your calling with you into the grave. They must be birthed here.
This is why Paul exhorts: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” (Colossians 3:23) We have a responsibility—to our families, to our communities, to our nations—to fully apply ourselves in the work God has given us. Yet we must also remember Psalm 127:1, “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it…” Hard work outside God’s calling leads to frustration. True fruitfulness comes when we apply ourselves mightily in the place He has assigned us.
Friend, time and chance will surely come. The question is—will you be prepared when your moment arrives? Say to yourself: “I will not carry anything into the grave. I will birth every dream, write every book, start every business, and fulfill every calling God has given me.” Your season is coming. Prepare with diligence, walk faithfully in your assignment, and when time and chance meet you, you will step into the fullness of God’s blessing.
