God Orders Events in HIS Time

Scripture: Luke 1:8-10

Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.

Insights: I believe we as a people are very impatient.  Maybe better stated, I am very impatient.  I blame all of this on the microwave and Burger King.  We want it now and we want it our way.  God, however, is not going to work like that.  He is going to do it His way and in His timing.  The Old Testament ends and for 400 years it is as if God were silent.  Then, in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesies concerning the Messiah, God speaks in dramatic fashion by sending an angel to Zacharias to tell of the birth of his son, the forerunner to the Messiah.  Now in order for this vision to come to pass, God had to orchestrate the event at the time in which Zacharias’ division was appointed to serve.  God had to have the lots fall on Zacharias in order for him to enter the temple to burn the incense.  All of this had to happen at the right time in order to have His Son, Jesus, born at the time in which He had determined was the perfect point in history for His Son to come on the scene.  Here is the point: God’s timing is perfect and He is going to do things in the proper time.  We go through life and we face all kinds of challenges and we want and desire for God to work right now and in our way.  He, however, is not a genie in a bottle for us to command with our whims.  He is the Sovereign Lord of Creation and He knows what is best and when it is best.  We also have a mistaken understanding of good.  We go through tragedy and think it is bad, but in God’s economy it may be the very best thing that could happen to us if it draws us into a relationship with Him.  I did not say it was easy to trust God in these difficult and trying times, but it is best.  Beloved, let us have our faith increased as we trust our Father to do what is best in our lives.

Questions:

1. Do you ever feel like things are not happening when you think they ought to happen?
2. Are you content trusting that God is working in His time and for His glory?

Prayer: Father, I am so often impatient.  Forgive me for not trusting You and believing that Your plans are perfect.  Grow me in Your grace and let my worrisome heart be transformed into one of peace and contentment in You.  Amen.