Perfect Timing
The time is now to experience the power and presence of God thanks to what Jesus has done for us.
“For the unclean person, put some ashes from the burned purification offering into a jar and pour fresh water over them. The man who is clean is to sprinkle those who are unclean on the third and seventh days, and on the seventh day he is to purify them. Those who are being cleansed must wash their clothes and bathe with water, and that evening they will be clean."
Numbers 19:9, 17, 19-20, 22
God was deliberate in teaching the Israelites about the importance of timing. In ancient times where there were not medicinal solutions like there are today, the people were protected by following God's timing.
It must have been hard for the people who had to wait seven days, but it was what was best for them and the community. How could it change how we think about what we are experiencing right now if we asked God to give us insights into how what we are going through can be what is best for us according to His timing?
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. who made the great lights— His love endures forever...the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever...to him who led his people through the wilderness; His love endures forever. He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever. and freed us from our enemies. His love endures forever. He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.”
Psalms 136:1, 4-9, 16, 23-26
David spent a lot of time praising God and what he praised most in this song is the eternal, unending nature of God's perfect love. There can be a tendency when we read to read quickly. Slow down when reading the repetitions of this song.
What does it mean to you that His love endures forever? Do you see how David connected the experiences of his life with God's unending love? How can you praise God today for all He has done, all He is doing, and all He is going to do?
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11-13
Do you have a tendency to label the timing of life as good or bad? Wisdom tells us that rather than labeling the timing of the events of our lives, we need to learn to see the bigger picture of how our experiences fit within the God's timing. What season of life are you in? What verse stands out to you? Why?
What would happen if we approached the seasons that are more difficult with a heart to praise God for how the times that are harder are shaping us and look to see the beauty that is created in that time? Is it possible that every moment that God has created is meant to draw us closer to Him?
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! You have not gone up to the breaches in the wall to repair it for the people of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the Lord. I will tear down the wall you have covered with whitewash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation will be laid bare."
Ezekiel 13:3, 5, 14, 21
There will be times in our lives when we are tested to see if our lives are glorifying God. The foolish ones are the ones who have ignored doing the work they are called to do and lived by appearance rather than substance. The whitewashed walls look good on the outside but have no ability to handle adversity.
Will your walls stand in the time of testing? Have you allowed Jesus to strengthen the potential breaches in the foundation of your life? Have you allowed Him to use you to strengthen others? Time will tell when you are tested.
“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly...For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”
1 Corinthians 4:1-2, 5, 12-13, 20
Paul shares truth with us. He says your hearts will be tested to see if you are faithful to God. Paul says God has a plan for your life and we are to walk in the belief that God's timing includes an appointed time. Paul says you will be praised by God for the work you do in the time you have on earth. Paul says there is a way to steward your time that reflects Jesus teachings. How? He says bless when other curse, endure when facing persecution, and speak gracefully to those who slander. Jesus said they will know you love me by how you love. What fruit is being produced at this time of your life?
What would happen if we listened to Paul's advice and chose to wait on Jesus to move in the midst of whatever we face? How could that free us from the pressures of each day, release our fears of the future, and help empower us to bring the kingdom of God today? Following Jesus is not a matter of talk, but of power. The Greek word for power is dynamis, which is where we get the word dynamite. The same power, dynamis, that rose Jesus from the grave lives in us. As we follow Jesus, wait on His timing and the presence of the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to do greater things than Jesus has done. Do you believe this? Do you believe that Jesus chose you, empowers you, and has a perfect plan for you life?
The question we face is whether we will trust Him. Will you trust in His timing, His promises, and His power as you stand on the belief that His love endures forever, whether we are on the mountain top or in the valley. Jesus makes everything beautiful in its time, including you, as you follow Him.