Wait, timing is everything
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Faith Fitness
Bro. Sam Kaufman
Some have said patience is a virtue. In today’s fast-paced society that adage probably fits.
It’s appropriate because everyone always seems to be on the go. There’s no time to slow down.
Another adage goes something like this: Good things come to those who wait, but the waiting can be the hardest part, as well.
God’s timetable is different. After all, He dwells in eternity! He is also keenly aware of time – He created it.
Many times, we want the answer from God right now. It doesn’t always work that way. One thing is certain: God is in control. He knows our needs better than we do. His timing is impeccable.
If we’re not careful, we can get ahead of God because we don’t want to wait. That doesn’t work out too well for us.
God promised Abraham a child in his old age. But rather than wait on God for His plan to be fulfilled, Sarah became a little too hasty.
Perhaps things weren’t transpiring as quickly as they had it figured out in their own minds. They felt they needed to help God! However, God doesn’t need that kind of assistance. He knows what He’s doing. Sarah gave Abraham her handmaid, and there’s been trouble since.
Later, God’s plan came to fruition with the child of promise – Isaac – to whom Sarah gave birth. Ishmael persecuted Isaac from the get-go. Eventually, Hagar and Ishmael were sent away. The persecution has persisted all the way to today!
We would do well to wait. King Saul’s patience perhaps wore thin with Samuel. After all, the king waited seven days according to the set time Samuel had appointed, but the prophet had not arrived, and the Philistines were ready to attack.
King Saul then did foolishly in offering a burnt offering in supplication to the Lord – an act reserved for Samuel and not the king. In anxiety and haste, King Saul offered the burnt offering. As soon as King Saul made an end of the burnt offering, Samuel came. King Saul’s actions cost him dearly. It would’ve been better to wait.
We can trust that God knows the situation. The Apostle Paul was one who waited on the Lord. In Paul’s case, it required persistence at times.
It was a lesson for us to keep calling on God when we don’t hear from Him immediately. Paul prayed not once, not twice, but three times before God responded to Paul’s petition to remove the thorn from his flesh.
God’s answer was perhaps not the one for which Paul was looking. God knew it was the right response. Through that dialogue, God informed Paul that “my grace is sufficient for thee” and “my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul could then say, “When I am weak, then am I strong.”
God is very caring and patient toward us. In fact, one of God’s many beautiful characteristics is His long suffering. In trials and suffering, we can call upon Him. We know He hears the cries of His children. Sometimes the answer or direction doesn’t come immediately. It will arrive in God’s good time.
Isaiah 40:29-31 states, “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Sam Kaufman pastors The Church of God at 405 13th Ave. N. in Alexander City. Contact him at 432-266-0154.