“Thou shalt arise and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her, yea, the set time, is come.” — Psalm 102:13 (KJV)
We give God the glory and honor for His loving kindness for counting us worthy to be among the living to witness and experience the last quarter of the year 2025.
October is often seen as a transitional month—a time of harvest, reflection, and preparation for the close of the year. Spiritually, it can also represent a season of divine visitation and fulfillment. Psalm 102:13 captures a profound truth about God’s nature: He operates in perfect timing, and His mercy is never delayed. This verse is a declaration of hope, a prophetic assurance that God’s favor comes at an appointed time, and that time is not arbitrary—it is divinely perfect.
1. The Nature of Divine Perfection
The perfection of God is not merely about flawlessness; it encompasses His wisdom, timing, justice, and mercy. In Deuteronomy 32:4, Moses declares: “He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.”
This verse affirms that everything God does is perfect—not just in outcome, but in process. His decisions are never rushed; His actions are never mistaken. Similarly, Jesus calls His followers to reflect this divine nature in Matthew 5:48: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Here, perfection is tied to maturity, completeness, and love—qualities that reflect God’s character. Psalm 102:13, then, is not just about mercy; it is about perfectly timed mercy, which reflects God’s flawless nature.
2. The Set Time: God’s Appointed Seasons
Psalm 102:13 speaks of a “set time” to favor Zion. This phrase implies divine scheduling—a moment predetermined by God for intervention. This concept is echoed in Ecclesiastes 3:1: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” God does not act randomly. He works within Kairos—the Greek word for an opportune or appointed time. In Habakkuk 2:3, the prophet is told: “For the vision is yet for an appointed time… though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
This teaches us that delay is not denial. God’s timing is not always our timing, but it is always perfect. When Psalm 102:13 says, “the set time is come,” it is a declaration that God’s calendar has reached the moment of fulfillment.
3. Mercy as a Manifestation of Divine Perfection
God’s mercy is not a reaction; it is a deliberate act of love. In Lamentations 3:22-23, we read: “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed… They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.”
Mercy is a daily expression of God’s perfection. It is not earned but given. In Ephesians 2:4 5, Paul writes: “But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us… hath quickened us together with Christ.” This mercy is not weakness—it is power restrained by love, and it is central to God’s perfect nature. Psalm 102:13 reveals that mercy is not only available but scheduled. God arises to show mercy at the appointed time.
4. Zion and the Church: Recipients of Divine Favor
Zion in Scripture often symbolizes God’s people, both Israel and, prophetically, the Church. The promise of favor upon Zion is a promise of restoration, revival, and divine attention. In Isaiah 60:1–2, the prophet declares: “Arise, shine; for thy light comes, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”
This is a call to recognize the arrival of divine favor. In the New Testament, Hebrews 12:22–24 connects believers to Zion: “But ye come unto mount Sion… to the general assembly and church of the firstborn…” This means that the promise of Psalm 102:13 is not just historical—it is alive and active for the Church today. The “set time” to favor Zion is also the set time to favor you.
5. October: A Prophetic Season of Fulfillment
October, with its themes of harvest and transition, is a fitting metaphor for divine timing. It is a month where what was planted begins to manifest, and what was hidden becomes visible. Spiritually, it can be seen as a season of divine fulfillment. Just as the psalmist declared, “the set time is come,” we can declare over our lives that October is a month of divine perfection—where God’s mercy, favor, and promises to converge.
In conclusion, Psalm 102:13 is more than a verse—it is a prophetic declaration of hope, mercy, and divine timing. It reminds us that God is not late, and His favor is not random. He arises at the perfect time, and when He does, mercy flows, restoration begins, and Zion is favored.
As we step into October, let us do so with faith and expectation, knowing that the set time of divine perfection is now. May we align our hearts with God’s timing and trust that His mercy will meet us right on schedule in Jesus’ mighty name.
A Prophetic Declaration for October: Father, I declare that October is my month of divine perfection. Let every unfinished work be completed. Let every delayed promise be fulfilled. Let every closed door swing open. I walk into this month with faith, expectation, and joy. The set time is now, and I receive it by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Yours in the Lord, Pastor Lillian Haastrup
