I wish God owned the same watch as me. Unfortunately, He does not.
The Bible teaches us to trust God’s timing in all matters, but we are sorely tempted to do otherwise, especially when times are tough. When we are beset with problems, we are understandably anxious for a quick conclusion to our hardships. We know that our problems will end some day, and we want it to end NOW. God, however, works on His own timetable, and His schedule does not always coincide with ours. Because of this, we fear.
My post today is in response to an email I received from a lady who says she fears God’s timing won’t be “on time” for her needs. That fear is understandable and there’s none among us who hasn’t experienced that fear. It’s only natural to “save” ourselves from trouble or pain. The truth is God’s timing is always on time whether we lose out or not; whether we are healed or not or whether our dream comes true or not.
In my own life, I have always wanted God’s help but not His intervention. What I mean is I want God’s help on my terms not His. Mainly because I can’t always understand His ways. The bible explains why God’s ways seem strange to me. Is 55:8, “God’s ways are not our ways; his thoughts are not our thoughts.”
God is always working on our behalf. While we wait on His timing, He is teaching us more about who He is. He is growing our faith and expanding our relationship. God ways and concerns are about the eternal. Ours are about what will pass away. I have to admit that my focus is usually on earthy value instead of heavenly value. But God does His best teaching and training through adversity. Not to cause us undue pain, but to give us a “future and a hope. God has a good plan for you even if your plans fall through.
The disciple thought they lost when they witnessed Christ’s death on the cross. But in the heavens, it was a day of victory! Christ had won and Satan had been defeated even though it looked VERY different on earth.
We must remember that God sees the bigger picture. His ways are not our ways. What may seem devastating to us at the moment is really God bringing about victory in our lives.
God’s plans are perfect; ours are not. So we must learn to trust the Father in good times and hard times.
Proverbs 20:24 says, Man’s steps are ordered by the Lord. How then can a man understand his way?
When God directs our paths, He sometimes leads us in ways that don’t make sense to us so we’re not always going to understand everything. If we try to reason out everything, we will experience struggle, confusion and misery—but there is a better way.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
This sounds so simple, yet too many people make the mistake of trying to figure everything out themselves. Most of us have spent our lives trying to take care of ourselves, but when we accept Christ as our Savior, we must learn to trust our lives to His care. When we do, we can say with the psalmist, …I trusted in, relied on, and was confident in You, O Lord; I said, You are my God. My times are in Your hands… Ps 1:14-15.
Here are some great quotes on the subject:
Elisabeth Elliot advised, “We must learn to move according to the timetable of the Timeless One, and to be at peace.”
Billy Graham observed, “As we wait on God, He helps us use the winds of adversity to soar above our problems.”
“So today, as you face the uncertainties of everyday life, do your best to turn everything over to God. Whatever “it” is, He can handle it. And you can be sure that He will handle it when the time is right. Will not the Lord’s time be better than your time?” ~C. H. Spurgeon
“By His wisdom, He orders His delays so that they prove to be far better than our hurries.” ~C. H. Spurgeon
“Waiting on God brings us to the journey’s end quicker than our feet.” ~Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
God is in no hurry. Compared to the works of mankind, He is extremely deliberate. God is not a slave to the human clock. ~Charles Swindol
Laura Howell says
I truly loved this article, especially the first sentence! Who among us can’t relate to that. It is sometimes hard to believe in God’s timing, no matter how strong your faith – we’re human & imperfect. I’m trying to get better about remembering that God has a plan – even though I don’t always know what it is. Thanks for this terrific article!
Lynn says
What encourages me is:
God’s will is what you would choose if you knew what He knows.
I trust His sovereignty.
Stephanie Clayton says
Love this Micca! 🙂
Kim says
Thank you for this awesome reminder. Although we can’t possibly know what is going on behind the scenes, God knows. I have a difficult time with this as I have a chronic illness and am a single parent. Sometimes I wonder why God has allowed this, when He knows that I am the provider, but I know His ways are not my ways. My way would be to speed this up and maybe get better so I can do what I need to do and feel better, but I know He has me here for a reason. Sometimes I ask myself why does he have me here? Although the questions I have may not be answered, I know that God is working all things together for good, I may not see the big picture, but God is still creating the masterpiece.
I am loving the study of your book, and am so thankful for your ministry. The encouragement it brings can not be described. I am learning to cast my fears at Jesus feet, I even visualize this as I am doing it and it has been awesome to know that He is taking those burdens from me and that He cares for me like no other!!
Jodi says
Micca,
I can not even begin to tell you how much I needed to read this message on this very day. As I struggle with throwing in the towel because I’m tired of getting hurt, I know now that it’s not time. God has a plan. A big and wonderful and beautiful plan for me and my life and this bump in my road is able to be crossed because I hold firm to the Saviors hem. He truely is my rock and I thank you for reminding me that I need to work on my patience in order to walk with him, not ahead of him.
angie webb says
God is always in control
Dawn says
Really loved the comments on waiting on God’s timetable- great article! Comforting right with my job in jeopardy. Have a great week-end- Happy Easter!
Ashley says
thank you for this. waiting really is the hardest thing. at least waiting without a clear idea about where we are going or what the present is about. thank you. i know waiting in your own life is a thing that has not been the easy path. know it is a ministry to so many!!!!!!!!
Miriam says
I really enjoyed reading this article Micca,. I often struggle with God’s timing, but l have learnt to put all my trust in Him… Thank you:) I am going to share it on my facebook page so my friends can read it too…
Christy says
“I first came to Prayer Force Church when I was in fourth grade and instantly welcomed. The people of Prayer Force Church are so loving and caring and are seriously like family to me. Some of the people I met when I first came are now my closest friends. The messages taught at Prayer Force Church are so relevant and they help me out so much! I am so blessed to attend Prayer Force Church!!! You can email if you need prayers via: Revanthony42@gmail.com