God's Timing

We hope, we pray, and we believe; yet sometimes, we feel that God does not hear us. We grow tired of waiting on God and decide to take matters into our own hands. Jumping ahead of God can have sad consequences, however.

In Genesis, God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation. Abraham believed God, but he and his wife, Sarah, were very old and had no children. Eventually Abraham listened to Sarah and, in an attempt to "help" God, had a child by her maid. God let Abraham know this was not the child of promise. Many years later Sarah miraculously conceived and bore Isaac. Abraham's jumping ahead of God resulted in long-lasting problems for Abraham and his descendants.

In I Samuel 26, David made a choice concerning God's timing. God had anointed David as the next king of Israel. King Saul, knowing this, was jealous and sought David's life. One night, when David was running for his life, he and his followers found Saul's army asleep and undefended. One of David's men wanted to kill King Saul. David knew that it was not God's timing and that it would not please God for him to kill Saul.

Christians today sometimes jump ahead of God in choosing whom to marry, in deciding what job to take and in numerous other decisions.

God knows it is not easy to be patient. Before you take matters into your own hands, think of the possible consequences.

Concentrate on the fact that God cares about you.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7 NIV

James 1:4 says, "Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." Matthew 6:33 says "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Keep praying for God's direction.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. Psalm 37:7-9 NIV

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 NIV

Though waiting is not easy, when we wait on God's timing, we will not be disappointed.

God knows what is best. We will not be sorry when we wait on God.