“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” — Psalm 27:14
Trusting God’s Timing
Many professional athletes were the best athletes in their high school. A lot of them attained instant success and rarely had to wait on anything. But they’re not alone. In fact, an inability to wait appears to be a common trait of practically everyone in this modern world. This “microwave generation” is techno-savvy, but most of us struggle when we don’t attain success quickly.
Most homes have at least one microwave oven and it is used often. Originally, microwave technology powered radar for the military. After World War II, several people experimented with other uses for peacetime. The first microwave ovens cost thousands of dollars. As these devices became affordable, more and more people fixed quick snacks and even family meals.
Microwave research saved time, improved cancer treatment and developed satellite technology. However, new inventions sometimes make us think every problem is solved instantly. Our attention span and our willingness to wait gets shorter with each passing year. As it takes hours to cook meat properly in a regular oven or crockpot, other things can take about 30 seconds.
Even though Abraham and Sarah didn’t understand God’s timing, Isaac was born at the right time. “Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what He had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him” (Genesis 21:1-2). Surely, Isaac was worth the wait.
Also, Mary and Martha didn’t understand why Jesus waited two days to check on Lazarus. If Jesus came sooner, He could have healed Lazarus, but the Heavenly Father’s plan was to raise Lazarus from death to life. “When He had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go'” (John 11:43-44).
If we are to please God, then we will ponder these events and learn to trust God’s timing.
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Ga.
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