God's Timing

INTRODUCTION

God's timing is significant in life (Ecclesiastes 3:1–8). It is the perfect moment He has ordained for something to happen according to His will. It may be difficult for us to understand because it is not about our timing.

God's divine purpose for us starts before birth until we take our last breath. Sometimes, something can be a great idea and can even be a God idea but for it to be successful it must be in God's timing.

OUTLINE

1. The Nature Of God's Timing

2. Know God's Timing

THE NATURE OF GOD'S TIMING

God's timing is perfect. His timing is never early, and it is never late (John 11:21–23). It is always purposeful (Ecclesiastes 8:6a).

He works all things for good in the lives of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). God is in complete control of everything and everyone (Psalm 31:15a). This is why Jesus told His disciples to focus on their primary assignment rather than get worried about the time of the establishment of His kingdom on earth (Acts 1:6–8).

It is not unlikely that we question God's timing in our lifetime especially when we are in a difficult situation (Psalm 34:19). God knows exactly where we are at every moment (Psalms 103:14–15; 139:7–8).

Sometimes, God uses hard times to strengthen us, allowing our Christian faith to mature and become complete (James 1:3–4).

God's timing is beautiful because it gives room for divine direction (Psalm 37:23) and the hope of a great future (Jeremiah 29:11).

KNOW GOD'S TIMING

The key to understanding God's timing is trust. Since human reasoning and understanding are limited, the Bible advises in Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

We should not stubbornly insist on our timing and agenda (Proverbs 16:25; Psalm 37:23). Also, we need to know God to truly trust Him (Philippians 3:10).

The best way to know God truly is by studying, meditating and obeying His word (Psalm 119:105; Joshua 1:8). This will help us to discern God's timing and make informed decisions (1 Chronicles 12:32).

We must learn to wait patiently for God (Psalm 37:7) because God is good to those who wait for Him (Lamentations 3:25). Our patience often reveals the degree of trust we have in God's timing.

When we wait on the LORD, we receive divine energy and strength (Isaiah 40:31; Psalm 27:14).

While we wait, we must stay connected to God through prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Finally, we need the help of the Holy Spirit to understand God's timing and make the right decision at the right time (Isaiah 30:21).

CONCLUSION

God's timing is the best; do not run ahead of Him.

QUESTIONS

Explain briefly the nature of God's timing.

Mention three factors to know God's timing.

FURTHER READINGS

SUN: Ecclesiastes 3:1

MON: Habakkuk 2:3

TUE: Isaiah 40:31

WED: Jeremiah 29:11

THUR: Psalm 27:14

FRI: Galatians 6:9

SAT: Isaiah 60:22

ASSIGNMENT

Interact with five (5) people who have waited on God's timing before and share the lessons learned from their experiences.

(2×5 = 10 marks)