Episode 29: Delayed Delivery: Keys to Understanding God’s Timing
When God seems to delay in the delivery of His promises, it’s easy to feel frustrated. But God is not driven by time like we are. As a matter of fact, He’s not held by time at all. God lives outside of time and space but He uses time as a tool in our lives. Time is one of the ways He refines us and prepares us for things to come. Without this tool, we’d never be able to handle all the things we’re impatient for!
In Exodus 2 and 3 we see Moses struggle with God’s tool of time. He senses injustice while watching a Hebrew slave receiving lashes from an Egyptian soldier. This awareness is actually an indication of the plan God has for Moses’ future. But Moses rushes this gift and in his immature anger, he murders the Egyptian. Upon hearing this, Pharaoh intends to kill him, so Moses runs for his life and hides himself from both the people he grew up with (Egyptians) and the people he longed to help (Hebrews.)
When we are frustrated with God’s timing, we must remember 3 principles found in the life of Moses:
The right thing at the wrong time is still the wrong thing.
We must be careful to not make God’s purpose for our lives come to pass through our own plan. If we try to rush ourselves to places of importance, positions of influence, relationships we’ve longed for, or spotlights we’re not yet ready for…we risk missing the perfect way God unfolds circumstances on our behalf.
God is working in the waiting.
When Moses heard God from a burning bush, he was 40 years older and much wiser. His skill set was built by herding sheep (who are a lot like people) and his patience was built by wandering around barren hills caring for his flocks.
God sees the whole picture while we see only a fragment.
Typically, we think we are the problem when facing a delay in God’s promises. We pray and see no change. We hope and see no outcome. But God is arranging the entire mosaic. This means there may be people or circumstances not yet ready for the outcome we hope for. It may be another person’s hold up, not yours, as God readies the situation for His good and glory.
Obedience is our job, outcome is God’s.
God is sovereign and in control. He calls Himself “I am that I am…” not— “I might that I might…” Our job is to obey at every turn and leave the results to God. Time is His best tool in preparing us for what we long for.
If you’re currently struggling with trusting God’s timing or feel like you’re waiting on God to come through, this episode will encourage your heart in the midst of the waiting. Take a listen today!
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