GOD’s Timing

Luke 13: ¹⁰ Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. ¹¹ And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. ¹² But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” ¹³ And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

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Day after day, the problem still persisted. “Is GOD even listening?” I asked. I mean it has been years and it seemed like the problem would not subside. “What are YOU waiting on?” I said.

• There have been many days when I wondered if GOD was even with me.
• There have been many days when I wondered if GOD was too busy punishing me to listen to my prayers.
• There have been many days when I wondered if GOD was being sadistic, withholding HIS mighty power from me because of my many sins.

The woman with a “spirit of infirmity” could in no way “raise herself up.” She tried everything in her might to unbend herself for eighteen years. Eighteen years! JESUS saw her, called her over, touched her and healed her from the crippling spirit. She praised GOD.

• GOD wants me to practice praising HIM even when my problem has not ended.
• GOD wants me to practice praising HIM because HIS timing is perfect.
• GOD wants me to practice praising HIM through difficult times because HE can use me to show others, who are in the same situation, that HE is powerful, even in my weakness.

GOD doesn’t gloat at my pain and to the contrary of my thinking, HE is not always trying to punish me. In fact I believe GOD feels the pain I’m going through, only more intensely. My faith is not based on if GOD will clear up my problems as soon as they appear. GOD wants me to have faith for the long-haul.

HE wants me to see that at the end of every problem, HE is the solution. HIS love never fails and HIS grace for me is sufficient. I believe through my problems that GOD is always with me.

• Are you waiting on something?
• Do you think GOD is withholding a blessing from you because you are not trying hard enough?
• Can you stop trying to control the situation and believe GOD has a solid purpose for your trial and HE will use this time to bring many people to HIM through you?

Deserving Deliverance

Psalm 79: ⁹ Help us, God our Savior,
    for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
    for your name’s sake.

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Sitting in my final, I asked GOD to help me recall some of the information I crammed into my head the night before. I didn’t understand the concepts and the professor told me a week before that unless I wrote an outstanding final, I would fail. After my prayer I took the final and got a C on the test and a failing grade overall.

Praying that GOD undo damage I have caused is rather futile, especially if it’s for my personal gain. I expected that GOD clean up the damage while I skip merrily through the situation. It did not happen. GOD allowed me to face the consequences of my decision and quite honestly it was the best thing that happened to me. My study habits got infinitely better afterwards.

• GOD delivers me not because of me, but in spite of me.
• GOD delivers me in the middle of my sins, not after I clean myself up.
• GOD delivers me because of HIS name and HIS sake, not because I demand it or deserve it.

When I look at my life I see points where GOD intervened in the middle of my sins. HE showed tremendous restraint and did not pour out wrath rather HE dished out a heaping helping of HIS grace. I can also see times where HE allowed the consequences of my sins to hit me in the face.

This prayer is appropriate. Israel was in captivity for turning away from GOD for the thousandth time. The writer knew there was nothing that could be said to deserve deliverance. All they could write was “Forgive our sins for YOUR name’s sake.” GOD’s name is pure and so is HIS love for me. I praise HIM because I do not deserve the blessings HE has bestowed on me.

• Do you feel you deserve deliverance?
• Are you busy telling GOD how good you have been?
• Can you stop trying to steer GOD and praise HIM?
• Will you ask HIM to deliver you on HIS terms?