Timing Questioned

Timing Questioned

Genesis 15: After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

 

² But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” ³ Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!”

 

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After about ten years had passed since hearing the amazing promise GOD made, Abram started to get frustrated. Knowing what was on his mind, the LORD appeared to Abram in a vision, reminding him that the promise was still in effect. Abram expressed his frustration to the LORD by saying he remained childless.

 

My Observations:

• Abram had a solid relationship with the LORD that he could ask questions about the promise GOD made.
• Abram believed right away, but after a decade, wondered what’s the hold up.
• Abram did not blame GOD or question if it was a sin that kept him from the promise.

 

After a decade of waiting on the promise, nothing happened. Abram received the promise when he was seventy-five years old. He may have told his wife, friends and workers that he was going to have a child. He remained faithful, but probably wondered “when?” I can relate to what Abram was going through, can’t you?

 

Abram did as he was told, no matter how strange it seemed. He did not once question if he heard GOD correctly or if GOD was the ultimate liar, needing to hear “but YOU promised.” Instead, Abram stated the fact that GOD made a promise that required children and he had no child up to this point. Abram remained respectful while stating facts.

 

Challenge

• Why does it seem that GOD delayed on HIS promise to Abram?
• Has GOD made a promise to you that has not come to fruition yet?
• Are you willing to ask GOD about the facts of your promise while remaining respectful and hopeful?

Coming out of Hiding

Luke 1: ²³ So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. ²⁴ Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, ²⁵ “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

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“How’s the job search coming?” were the innocent yet increasingly annoying words from the community. Wanting to express their concern and solidarity was nice, but there were no jobs to be had in this extreme period of unemployment. “I just want to hide” were my thoughts.

• There were times when I just wanted to hide.
• There were times when I was ashamed and frustrated.
• There were times when I wanted everything to be as everyone expected but they were not.

Whether it was traditional or not, Elizabeth hid herself differently than others. She may have had years and years of innocent people asking “Do you have kids?” as their first question. She may have had mixed emotions about this miracle baby as she moved herself away from the community for the last five months of her pregnancy. She could have been delighted and nervous, but for years prior, she carried herself with GOD’s peace.

• GOD says to me “I will take care of you.”
• GOD says to me “Do not be afraid of humans, but fear the LORD your GOD.”
• GOD says to me “Do not be anxious for I have many promises for you.”

Walking in a spirit of peace is not always easy when those around me are anxious. BUT GOD gives me something to handle them and me, namely peace. GOD tells me to calm people down in the middle of storms and when I do, I in turn get calmed down.

HE wants me to show people that what is more important than their anxious question is my relationship with the living GOD. The peace that comes from HIM draws others to HIM and that is the mission HE gives me when I am in a trial.

• Are people asking you their anxious questions?
• Are you getting frustrated with their nervousness and disbelief?
• Will you stop trying to gain their approval and seek to calm them down by telling them you are related to the all-powerful GOD who takes care of you everyday?

GOD seeks restoration

Deuteronomy 30: ⁴ Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back. ⁵ He will bring you to the land that belonged to your ancestors, and you will take possession of it.

He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors. ⁶ The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. 

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Sitting at my desk I studied feverishly to learn the programming required on my job. It seemed like I was all thumbs and I couldn’t do anything right. My boss’s boss called me into his office. I just knew he was going to give me some terrible news so I braced myself. He told me I was doing a great job and to relax.  In fact he gave me additional responsibilities and sent me to be trained. He restored my confidence.

• Sometimes I feel lost and frustrated.
• Sometimes I feel banished.
• Sometimes I feel I am in a distant land.

It seems like trouble comes in numbers. At the same time when I was trying to get my groove my old jalopy of a car broke down and I was in a town unfamiliar to me. I hadn’t been to church in years and I felt alone. A woman in my building asked me “what church do you go to?” I didn’t have an answer.

She told me about a few churches and went on her way. “That was strange” I thought to myself. I think I will go. I went and a sense of peace and belonging came to me. This carried over into my work and social life. I felt restored.

• GOD wants me to turn to HIM so HE can restore me.
• GOD wants me to give HIM my heart so HE can modify it to serve HIM.
• GOD wants me to understand no matter how gloomy things may seem HE is there ready to restore me.

GOD really does love me. I mean HE goes to great lengths to show me HIS love and all I need to do is open my eyes to HIS marvelous blessings HE pours out on me daily. HE is willing to restore me no matter how far I have strayed.

• Are you away from GOD?
• Do you feel you HE can’t possibly forgive you?
• Can you stop making GOD small and understand HIS words “MY grace is sufficient?”
• Won’t you let HIM restore you HIS way and drop your expectation of HIM?

Obedience takes patience

Numbers 9: ²¹ Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening until morning. When it lifted in the morning, they started out. It didn’t matter whether it was day or night. When the cloud lifted, the people started out. ²² It didn’t matter whether the cloud stayed above the holy tent for two days or a month or a year. The people of Israel would remain in camp. They wouldn’t start out. But when the cloud lifted, they would start out.

²³ When the Lord gave the command, they camped. And when he gave the command, they started out. They obeyed the Lord’s order. They obeyed him, just as he had commanded them through Moses.

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Sitting in my dorm room in the middle of my first semester, I wanted to be done! I had enough of school but I was only just beginning. After finally graduating I sat in my cubicle frustrated that I wasn’t getting a promotion. After finally getting a promotion years later I moved on to another position.

Weary from years of travel from this position I moved on to another position at a large company. It seemed like GOD is taking forever to get me to where I need to be. What’s taking HIM so long?

• My impatience causes me to be frustrated.
• When I hear I have to wait years instead of minutes I lose my patience.
• My impatience causes me to want to stop, sit and give up.

GOD’s timing definitely isn’t my timing.  I want things the way I want them, when I want them and how I want them.  I place a huge expectation on GOD and when HE doesn’t come through with my timing, I complain to HIM as if HE made a wrong decision.

• GOD wants me to cheerfully obey HIM on a daily basis.
• GOD wants me to release my expectations of the day and open my eyes to HIS grace.
• GOD wants me to increase my patience by accepting HIS daily gifts rather than pouting over not getting my desires.

When I lose my patience it is hard for me to be obedient. In fact I probably get quite the opposite and become rebellious. GOD has HIS timing and has plenty of love for me. HIS plans are great!

• Are you in a situation where you are losing your patience?
• Do you think GOD has forgotten you or is punishing you?
• Won’t you stop for a moment and remember the grace HE has given you?
• Can you ask HIM to remove any pouting you may have and replace it with grace for someone?

A story of forgiveness

Genesis 43: ²⁰ “We beg your pardon, our lord,” they said, “we came down here the first time to buy food. ²¹ But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver—the exact weight—in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us. ²² We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don’t know who put our silver in our sacks.”

²³ “It’s all right,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.

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Frustration was the look on my face as I sat there not knowing what to do. My boss was no help and I felt thoroughly inadequate in my new role. My boss’s boss invited me into his office and invited me to sit down. “Oh boy, here it comes, I’m going to be fired and I haven’t even started.” I thought to myself.

He said “Stop worrying, I’m sending you to a training class. I want you to take on more responsibility.”

• When I mess up I feel lost.
• When I am burdened I feel I am wandering.
• When I face difficult times I feel like I need to justify my every move.

Joseph’s brothers tried to kill him. Now, unknowingly, they had to buy food from him. Joseph was somewhat graceful and gave them food along with their silver but commanded them to bring their brother back. Joseph had forgiven them. They were frightened and thought the worse. I do the same.

I think GOD is looking to punish me more and more so I get scared and brace myself for the next wave of punishment. BUT GOD is different.

• GOD looks for opportunities to show HIS great love to me and others so HE can draw people to HIM.
• GOD looks for times HE can bless me so I can bless others.
• GOD looks for chances where I am willing to listen to HIM and see HIM so HE can show me HIS unfailing love.

It truly takes faith to see GOD working in adverse times. Everyone around may not see what GOD sees so the news may seem dismal. GOD’s plan is awesome so I’m taking HIS advice when HE says “Don’t be afraid.”

• Are you afraid?
• Does the situation seem hopeless?
• Can you keep moving forward with GOD knowing HE is blessing you right now?
• Won’t you be a blessing to someone today to show your faith in HIM?

What does GOD want from me?

John 6: ³⁷ All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.

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⁴⁰ For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

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“Oh no!” my mind cried out. “I’m going to miss my plane.” I forgot to set my alarm and I couldn’t find my keys. “Ugh, what a frustrating morning,” I screamed in my mind. I sped through the neighborhood only to be met with school busses stopping at what seemed to be every house.

Now clock management was crucial. Every second counted. “LORD, please, please, please get me there on time” I muttered as my heart raced! Flooring it, I reached the airport in record time. No I didn’t obey the speed limit but that’s another story. “I can still make my flight!” I thought.

To my dismay the parking lot was full and I had to go to the furthest offsite parking spot I could find which truly killed any chances of making the flight. “GOD what do you want from me” I shouted.

• Frustrations in life cause me to blame GOD.
• My bad choices in life cause me to forget about GOD’s will.
• Situations out of my control cause me to think of GOD as person who will leave when the going gets tough.

Many days I have put myself in a position where I am too busy for GOD or too frustrated to even think about HIM. I don’t feel like telling people about HIS grace, mercy and love because I’m focused on the old lady swerving in front of me driving at snails’ pace.

• GOD wants me to have peace in the middle of frustrations to show others HE is in control.
• GOD desires that I take my frustrations to HIM and remain calm through the storm.
• GOD yearns that I tell everyone about HIS SON and through my belief HE will draw people to HIM.

When I question “GOD what do you want from me” I really don’t want the answer rather I want my way. It’s plain what GOD wants from me, to believe in HIS SON as the one and only savior.

• Are you frustrated by something or someone right now?
• What obstacle did “you” put in your own way?
• Can you turn your situation over to GOD in earnest prayer?
• Won’t you help someone, who has doubts about GOD, believe by sharing the mercy GOD has given you?