God’s timing.
We often hear or say the words, “In God’s time” or “God’s timing”, while in conversation over a situation. The circumstance could be one of great joy or a tragedy. We may not (okay…usually don’t) understand the timing of that joy or tragedy, but God does.
Last week, twice during my devotion time, my Old Testament scripture referenced the coming of Christ. In Deuteronomy 18:15 we read,
Moses continued, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.”
Then in Isaiah 7:13-14 Isaiah prophesized to King Ahaz,
Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).
When I first read each of those verses, I thought about how many of hundreds of years (I think over a thousand years) ago those words were spoken before they were actually fulfilled. I thought to myself “God’s timing is not our timing. His timing is perfect. We may not understand the when, why, or how, but God does. He’s’ got this.” Whatever the “this” is…He does have it.
Later in the day that I read the scripture in Isaiah, I received a phone call from my nephew. He informed me that he and his wife have an ectopic pregnancy. During the conversation I was able to share the scriptures I had read, and shared how I had found out of my own miscarriage when we were twelve weeks pregnant (this was pre-Cole). God’s timing, not our own.
Now…this morning’s bible verse came from Luke 1. In this chapter we read about how Mary discovered that she was pregnant, how her older cousin Elizabeth was also with child, when Elizabeth’s husband, Zechariah, became silent and unable to speak until their child is born, and then…when Elizabeth and Zechariah’s son was eight days old they informed all that the child was going to be called John. Once Zechariah penned the words on a tablet, he was able to speak again. The words in verses 67-75 he said,
Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave his prophecy: “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant – the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.
Zechariah wasn’t speaking of his son, John, yet of The One his son would prepare the way for…JESUS, Mary’s son, John’s cousin.
God’s timing was all over Luke one. The choosing of Mary, the surprise pregnancy of Elizabeth and Zechariah who stopped asking for children, to baby John growing up in the wilderness to focus on the truth of the message he was going to carry out. (Oh, how I hope you will go back and read the whole book of Luke! Joy and tragedy…all for us.)
Friend, I have no clue what is going on in your life, but God does. I have no idea of the struggles you are battling right now, but God does. I have no inkling of the joy you may be experiencing at this moment, but God does. He knows and He is with you through it all. Someone needed to hear that.
I pray that you will celebrate in the timing God had for sending His Son. His Son, Jesus, came into this world for you and me. God knew that we needed a Savior, and He delivered. I pray that you will not give up on your righteous prayers. I pray that you will desire Christ and God’s purpose for your life. I pray that you will have patience with God’s perfect timing. I pray that you will not give up on your Heavenly Father. I pray that you will need Him daily. I need Him every day. What about you?
Remember…“God’s timing is not our timing. His timing is perfect. We may not understand the when, why, or how, but God does. He’s’ got this.” Whatever the “this” is…He does have it.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie