Timing

Time and timing.
You and I understand time… but struggle with timing.
The wisdom writer Solomon wrote “He (God) has made everything appropriate in its time” Ecclesiastes 3:11a.
 The truth expressed here is everything is appropriate (suitable, fitting, compatible) with our Maker’s timing.

• Clearly this scripture declares that our Creator created everything (including you and me) according to HIS TIME AND TIMETABLE.

Think with me for a moment.  As far as I know, there is no time as we know it in eternity. No clocks that the Almighty sets back or moves forward in heaven.  We earthlings are consumed with and worry about time. God is not. Time does not worry Him. Our Creator is eternal all the time. He has always been and will always be.

• God’s chief concern is timing. His timing is always perfect!

Many years ago Miller Brewery advertised their product with the phrase “Miller time is the right time.” Nice thought. But this guy begs to differ. If beer is the right time, humanity is in bigtime trouble!
Let’s be honest. You and I are often guilty of questioning God’s timing.
The times in my life when my deepest disappointments came have been when I expected God to keep His promises and answer my prayers according to Steve’s timetable. Hey Lord, what is with the delay regarding the prayer request I sent You?? What’s up with my requests not being filled when I think they should?  
 Heavenly Father, did it get lost in heaven’s post office?  Isn’t it about time for it to be answered? Have You checked Your celestial watch lately? Oh, that’s right, no time in heaven.
JUST A THOUGHT. You and I might think something is the right thing and the time is right. But if God’s timing is not in it, what we thought was right will not work out right. Chew on that for a moment!

• The Lord has always been gracious in teaching me about His timing.

The greatest joys in my life have occurred when God comes through on His time for me!
 I see His hand in the timing. Then I say to myself “Steve, see, God’s timing was absolutely perfect once again. When are you going to get it through your thick head that God’s timing is always on time? His blessings in your life always arrive on His time schedule, not yours.” 
Let me ask you. Have you ever wondered why God’s only Son, Jesus Christ came to the earth when He did? I have. God could have sent Jesus a thousand years before His birth 2, 000 years ago. He could have sent Him in 1650 or 1820 or you pick a date. How about your birthday!
The answer to the time question is in Galatians 4:4-5. “But when the fulness of time came, God sent forth His Son born of a woman, born under the Law in order that He might redeem those under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
Fulness of time can also be translated due time, proper time, predetermined time, right time. Sounds like God’s timing to me!

• God the Father’s plan of salvation. Biblical prophecy. Historical setting. All the above figured into the time and timing of Christ’s birth.

My little brain has decided God’s Son, Jesus, my personal Savior, was born in Bethlehem, raised in Judea, was crucified and raised from the dead in Jerusalem and descended to heaven promising to return for His sons and daughters according to God’s perfect time and timing. Amen and amen for that!
 Attitudes and Actions that interfere with God’s timing.

• An impatient, anxious, worrisome spirit.  
• Lack of understanding of timing of biblical events.
• Comparing our experiences with other people’s timing experiences.
• Listening to people who gripe about God’s timing.
• Insisting that “I have to have it now” complicates the timing process.
• Thinking that I know better than God. Lightning bolt on the way!!!!

My friends, you and I can experience relief, peace, joy, power and confidence when we trust God’s timing for our lives. Trusting God’s timing is a matter of faith. I do not have to know everything about everything. I do get to trust my Maker and Redeemer to provide everything I will ever need in His time and timing. AMEN.
How about you my fellow Christian? Do you trust God for His timing in your life? Really trust Him?  If not, why? Do you think you can manage time and life events better than the Almighty Creator of everything? If so, you need to think again and line up time and timing with God’s Word.
Time. Timing. Manage both well this week with God’s help.
A Word For Your Week: God’s timing is always on time!