Tag Archives: Micah 7:7

God’s Timetable

Posted on by

mountain laurel flowerIn today’s post, I look at several people who waited on God’s timetable, God’s plan, and God’s will before they were used to accomplish his purpose.

Perhaps you’re in a place in your life where you need to push pause and consider the lives of the Israelites, David, Jesus, and Paul right along with me, as we wait on God’s timetable, plan, and will.

Instead of taking the Israelites the short way from Egypt to the promised land through Philistine territory, God took them along the southern route. Even if they hadn’t rebelled and added years to their journey, this route was longer.

Why did God do that?

I believe it was because he knew the Israelites weren’t prepared to face the Philistine army. They weren’t strong enough. They knew nothing of war. In time they would, but they didn’t then.

The Israelites had to wait on God’s timetable, God’s plan, and God’s will.

David waited over a decade between the day Samuel anointed him as God’s chosen king, to the day David claimed the throne.

Why the long wait?

I believe it was because God knew David wasn’t ready for the job. Sure. David had victories over Goliath and the bear and lion. Major victories in anyone’s book. But there was more he needed to learn to be God’s effective tool in conquering the land, and establishing God’s people as his own.

I’m thinking if David hadn’t spent so much time out there with his sheep, the world would not have the blessings of his psalms for one thing.

David had to wait on God’s timetable. God’s plan. God’s will.

Jesus lacked nothing, yet he waited 33 years from birth to resurrection before God’s plan of salvation became reality.

Why?

I believe it was because humanity needed those years to understand the fulfillment of the prophesies about the Messiah. We needed those years to understand the reason Christ came to this earth, lived a perfect life, offered his life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, defeated hell, sin, Satan, and death, rose from the grave, and ascended into heaven where he sits at his Father’s right hand waiting for the day God says, “Go get your Bride”.

Jesus had to wait on God’s timetable. God’s plan. God’s will.

After Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, he did not receive his sight immediately, nor did he set out on a missionary journey as soon as he regained his vision.

Even after Paul began his ministry to the Gentiles, there were times the Holy Spirit blocked his way, and kept him from doing what Paul felt he needed to accomplish.

Why did he do that?

I believe, like most of us, Paul needed to be humbled in order to be receptive to what God’s plan was for his life.

Paul had to wait on God’s timetable. God’s plan. God’s will.

How are you doing waiting on God’s timetable in your life? Do you find it easy or difficult?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7 (NIV)

You can find my May Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

While We Wait

Posted on by

By Sandy Kirby Quandt

Right now I’m in a season of waiting … again …

In an earlier post, I mentioned the patience Noah needed while he waited for God to open  the door to the ark after the flood.

This post is inspired by the account of the disciples on the sea during the storm. (Matthew 14:22-33)

Among the many things I thought about as I reread this story was the fact Jesus sent the disciples out in the boat and told them to wait for him.

It wasn’t until the disciples had been in the boat since before sunset of the previous day that Jesus appeared to them walking on the water between 3:00–6:00 a.m.

There are numerous accounts in the Bible of people who waited for one thing or the other.

For years Hannah prayed and waited for the LORD to give her a child.

Anna and Simeon both prayed and waited to old age before God fulfilled his promise to allow them to see the Messiah.

The Israelites waited for someone to deliver them from Egypt.

Then they waited 40 years to enter the Promised Land.

David waited over fourteen years to become king.

We wait for children to be born.

We wait for the right job. Right spouse. Right home. Right economic climate.

We wait for unanswered prayers. Healing. Peace. Restoration.

We wait for that book contract. College acceptance letter. Prodigal to come home.

We hurry up and wait.

Let’s go back to the disciples in the boat on the sea during the horrible storm.

They had no other option but to wait on Jesus, did they?

They didn’t have the power to stop the raging wind and rain. They didn’t have the power to get safely to shore on their own. They had to wait no matter how long it took before Jesus arrived and saved them.

I believe it’s the same for us. Sure we can be like Sarah and Abraham, take things into our own hands and try to rush God into action.

Any other hands raised out there who’ve foolishly tried this?

But when the disciples waited, Jesus showed up at just the right time. He arrived at the exact moment that would prove who he was. The One with the power to calm the sea and command the wind to be still.

And while they waited perhaps their faith grew stronger. Perhaps their confidence increased. Perhaps they realized it really wasn’t about them after all, but about the Savior they loved and served.

What do you think? Is waiting something you find easy to do or is it difficult? I’m not real fond of waiting but I’m getting better at it. I’m beginning to realize I don’t have a whole lot of choice in the matter.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

But I will watch for the Lord; I will wait confidently for God, who will save me. My God will hear me. Micah 7:7 (GNT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

One of my posts is scheduled to appear on Inspire a Fire October 6, 2015. Please stop by and check it out.