DEVOTION / It’s all in the timing!
What are friends for?
They were dear friends. They enjoyed meals together and because they didn’t live near one another, their visits sometimes lasted for days. Because of that friendship, it seemed quite unusual when one of them became deathly ill and his friend didn’t drop everything to come to his aid. In fact, by the time the traveling friend arrived, his dear friend had died and was already in the grave. What a callous way to treat a friend!
Perhaps you recognized this as the story of two friends named Lazarus and Jesus. These two were friends of several years. How then could Jesus be so cold and aloof as to arrive late?
God’s timing versus our timing
The answer is that God’s times are not our times. Our finite minds are boxed in by time constraints. We rush to meet deadlines. We become anxious when running behind schedule. We lose sleep when wondering how we will get everything done. That is never the case with God.
David wrote in Psalm 13:1,2, How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? Have you ever been disappointed with God’s timing? David was. Hannah was. Abraham and Sarah were. And countless children of God have been too. When will this depression end? When will I see an end to this habit? I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired!
Is it any wonder that patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit? Sometimes it is difficult for us to realize that God’s timeline lies in a different time zone. And his delays are all designed to prepare us, test us, stretch our faith, and train us to place our utmost confidence in him and his will.
Jesus finally arrived in Bethany. When he was ready, he raised Lazarus from the dead and brought him back to life. The frustrations and disappointments over Jesus’ timing were all for naught. Jesus had a purpose for his timing with Lazarus just as he has for us. There is a lesson here for us to remember. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord (Psalm 27:14).
God’s perfect timing sent Jesus to earth at just the right moment. He died for our sins as was scheduled. He rose from the dead at just the right time, and he will take us to heaven when the perfect time comes. How happy we are knowing that our times are in God’s hands!
by Reynold R. Kremer