GOD’S TIMING IS PERFECT TIMING

GOD’S TIMING IS PERFECT TIMING

Monday, August 1st, 2022

By Rev. Mark Muckler

SCRIPTURE

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” - Proverbs 3:5-6

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” - 2 Peter 3:8-9

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” - Proverbs 16:9

THOUGHTS TO PONDER

Waiting, waiting, and waiting. Five days we work hard, waiting for the weekend. We wait for summer to come at the end of the school year. We wait for Christmas. We wait for the next season whether it be winter, spring, summer, or fall. We wait on fast food. We wait in the carpool line. We wait for the traffic to thin out before trying to cross the street. We wait for the thunderstorm to pass before jumping back in the pool. We wait nine months for the birth of a child. We wait until we’re old enough to drive. We wait on any number of things. We wait, and we wait, hopefully trusting in God’s perfect timing.

God’s Timing is Perfect Timing! Close to twenty years ago, I can remember I had heard the call to go to seminary. My wife and I sold our second car, quit our jobs, and moved in with my mom after my father passed away in an effort to save money before going to seminary. Not too long before we had to move, the offer fell through on our house for sale. We knew that the Lord had called me to go to seminary, however, our house was still on the market. We prayed and we continued to trust in the Lord’s timing and promises. The very same weekend that we moved for seminary, we closed on the sale of our house.

My initial thought was, “Nothing like waiting until the last minute, right?” and then my waiting turned into praises. God’s timing was perfect timing. We learned to trust in God, and to praise Him at all times, especially in the waiting… I am reminded of these words,

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” - Jeremiah 29:11-12

Over the last year, we’ve been working setting up our new ministry. We had been praying and praying for months and months waiting on our nonprofit application to be accepted by the IRS. On Monday of this week, we received a letter in the mail stating that we were finally approved as a 501c3, just days before hosting our 1st Annual Partners Gathering. God’s timing is perfect timing.

Several years ago, I was a participant in a yearlong spiritual formation group. And at the closing worship service of our time together, we offered a blessing to one another saying, “Trust in the slow work of God.” I never really knew what that meant until having to live into it for months, and years on end.

Perhaps we wait, not because the Lord is slow in keeping His promises, but perhaps we wait because we aren’t ready for what the Lord is about to do next in our lives. Our waiting, reminds us and invites us to put our HOPE in the Lord. Again, God’s timing is perfect timing.

Whether waiting on a house to sell, waiting for a new ministry to launch, or waiting on answers or details about a specific situation, we’ve continued to be challenged and invited by the Lord to place our Hope in Him and to Trust in God’s perfect timing.

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION

How about you? Are you waiting on something specific in your own life, or in your ministry? Whatever it is that you are waiting on, be encouraged to Trust in the Lord’s timing. God’s Timing is Perfect Timing! Pray continually, trusting in God to show you His plan and His way. And continue to praise Him even in your season of waiting.

“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” - Lamentations 3: 25-26

13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord; Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. – Proverbs 27:13-14

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, forgive me for trying to rush your will and plans for my life. Show me the way, step by step, hour by hour, day by day, as I wait on You. Help me to be patient. O Lord, continue to meet my needs, and grant me peace along the way. I praise You Father, for watching over me, for caring for me, for knowing what is best for me even when I don’t understand Your ways. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, help me to trust in You and in Your perfect timing. I humbly ask in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. – AMEN

APPLICATION / RESOURCE

• In your waiting, remember to pray continually. Ask the Lord what He would have you to learn in the waiting. And continue to praise Him even still.

• Consider setting up an appointment with a spiritual director to share in holy conversation with them as they invite you to lean into the Lord’s perfect timing. If you don’t have a spiritual director, I’d be more than happy to meet with you (at no cost to you).

• Spend some time reading and re-reading this verse in a contemplative manner today. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you through the Words of Scripture. Wait upon the Lord and trust in His perfect timing.

• "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." – Isaiah 40:31