Appointed time
In Psalm 102:13 (GW) we read “You will rise and have compassion on Zion, because it is time to grant a favour to it. Indeed, the appointed time has come.”
According to the Collins dictionary “If something happens at the appointed time, it happens at the time that was decided in advance.”
Habakkuk 2:3 (GW) tells us “The vision will still happen at the appointed time. It hurries toward its goal. It won’t be a lie. If it’s delayed, wait for it. It will certainly happen. It won’t be late.” This verse from Habakkuk comes after Habakkuk had just complained about all the injustices saying “Will they keep on emptying their nets and always kill nations without mercy?” (Habakkuk 1:17) So God’s answer was – there is an appointed time for it, Habakkuk. It will not happen until God determines the time is perfect. God reassures Habakkuk to trust in God’s judgment and to “wait for it”. “It will certainly happen” and “it won’t be late” meaning God’s timing is always perfect.
Perfect timing
Since God is completely sovereign over time, and thus also for the timing in our life, we can say with confidence “there is a right time and a right way to act in every situation” (Ecclesiastes 8:6). Remember “Everything has its own time, and there is a specific time for every activity under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Depend on God’s timing to be perfect, even when we have a different opinion.
God’s timing is spot-on.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (GW) reminds us “It is beautiful how God has done everything at the right time. He has put a sense of eternity in people’s minds. Yet, mortals still can’t grasp what God is doing from the beginning to the end of time.”
No unnecessary delays
God will not delay unnecessary or act slowly. We need to be patient as there is a reason why God has not yet delivered on His promise or answered our prayer. God is at work in our waiting. We might not see any changes in these times of waiting, particularly through times of difficulty and periods of personal growth, but there is a plan and purpose in all of it.
God is at work in our waiting.
2 Peter 3:9 (GW) reassures us “The Lord isn’t slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn’t want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act.”
Ezekiel 12:25 (GW) declares “I, the Lord, will speak. Everything that I say will happen without any more delay.”
Keep an open mind
Galatians 4:4 (EXB) “But when the right [appropriate; or appointed; fullness of] time came, God sent his Son who was born of a woman and lived [born] under the law.”
As per the prophesy, the Jews, believed that a Messiah would come to save them. Most Jews expected the Messiah to be a military figure who would fight the occupying Romans and drive them out. Other Jews were expecting a prophet like Moses.
God fulfilled the prophesy at the appointed time, but not in expected manner. Therefore, many Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah. Often God answers our prayers or fulfil a promise, but we reject the provision because it comes in a different package as our expectations. We need to keep an open mind and pay attention to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and be willing to accept God’s solution to our need.
Wait with hope
The Bible tells us to wait with hope. Psalm 130:5-6 (GW) “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and with hope I wait for his word. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning.” Psalm 27:14 (GW) “Wait with hope for the Lord. Be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Yes, wait with hope for the Lord.”
Waiting is one of the most difficult things for humans to do. We wait in line at the store, we wait in hospital waiting rooms, we wait for results to be released, we wait for our dentist or doctor’s appointment… wait, wait, wait! Nonetheless, we must wait for the Lord or wait for His timing. To move ahead of God’s divine timing is to take matters into our own hands. To lag behind God’s timing is to miss out on His blessings.
Prayer: Lord, please give me the wisdom of knowing how to wait patiently with hope. In Jesus name, Amen.
Hope and faith are closely related because both operate based on trusting God and living according to what is unseen. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) explains that “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Like faith, hope is built on our unwavering confidence in God’s goodness and power to do what He says He will do because of His unfailing love for us.
Biblical hope not only trust in God’s goodness, it expects it to happen. And it not only does it expects it to happen, it is confident that it will happen.
What happens when we wait with hope? God will renew the strength of those who wait upon Him and wait for His perfect timing. Have you ever seen an eagle soar? They seem to fly effortlessly, gliding high in the heavens with little or no effort to stay there. That is our promise if we wait with hope. Isaiah 40:31 (GW) “Yet, the strength of those who wait with hope in the Lord will be renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and won’t become weary. They will walk and won’t grow tired.”
Don’t become impatient
Genesis 18:13-14 (CSB) “But the Lord asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Can I really have a baby when I’m old?’ Is anything impossible for the Lord? At the appointed time I will come back to you, and in about a year she will have a son.”
Sarah and Abraham faced a situation that seemed hopeless. She was past the age of childbearing and even laughed when told that she would have a son. But God declared, “Is anything impossible for the Lord?” What seemed inconceivable was possible for Him. However, He promised that this miracle would take place only at the appointed time.
Waiting for the fulfilment of God’s promise, Abraham and Sarah became impatient. Sarah urged him to produce an heir through her servant, Hagar. But this offspring, Ishmael, was not God’s appointed heir. And they did not act at His appointed time. They had waited so long for the fulfilment that they may have given up. Year after year they waited. Yet God still had an appointed time for them. And, when that time came, He performed a miracle, in His time, and in His way.
You may have been waiting for the fulfilment of God’s promises to you or you may have been praying about a matter and thought about giving up. You may face situations that seem hopeless and problems that do not seem to have solutions. Except, the Bible reminds us that God can do anything. That He has an appointed time for His answer and the fulfilment of His promises. Remember that God’s promises are true for you. Allow faith to rise within your heart. Pray with boldness. Believe that His infinite power is available for you.
Nothing is impossible for God! Don’t give up. He has an appointed time for you and your miracle.
Abraham was promised an heir through his wife Sarah despite her old age. This period of waiting lasted 25 years. Noah was told to build an ark. He was to keep faith until it rained. Noah waited many years for something he had never seen before – rain! When Joseph was a young man, he had a dream that his brothers would bow down to him. It was nearly 14 years between his dream and the time he left prison to become second in command of Egypt. Psalm 105:19 (NLT) says, “Until the time came to fulfil his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character”. When David was a teenager, he was anointed as the next king of Israel. It was nearly 15 years between the time that he was anointed king and actually became king. He was tested, just like Joseph, so that God could transform him from a shepherd into a king. This pattern is found all throughout the Bible, and I believe God still does it today.
Hannah prayed years for a son before God answered her prayer. How often do we start to question the provision of God when we haven’t seen the answer in, for example, 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months or 2 years?
Do you trust Me?
Luke 1:37 (TPT) promises that “Not one promise from God is empty of power. Nothing is impossible with God!”
Within God’s promises is the power to cause them to come to pass.
Within God’s promises is the power to cause them to come to pass. Every word that flows from Him is infused with the very life of His Spirit. It isn’t only trustworthy, it’s the literal substance of truth. Power for us to wield in the face of opposition. When we take Him at His word, we’re setting ourselves up for victory. Whether we’re standing on a Scripture, a promise He’s given us through prophecy, or whispers to our hearts, our agreement with Him seals the deal. He teaches us the power of walking in agreement with Him. The Lord gives us the opportunity to have a part in our breakthrough. Keep His promises before you. Declare them. Sing them. Trust them. Remind yourself of every word He’s spoken over you. He’s faithful, and what He said is true.
Prayer: “Father, Your words are my lifeline. By them I’m bound to unwavering hope and unrelenting faith. Every promise of You is true and full of life. Help me to be the one who dares to believe the impossible is possible with You.” In Jesus name, Amen
Proverbs 3:5-6 (GW) instructs us to “Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth”
Psalm 37:7 (GW) “Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him…”
God’s timing is always best.
I pray these verses will give you hope that God’s timing is best. Only He can open doors that no one else can. It’s best not to try to force doors open. May we always give glory to God in trusting Him in all things and waiting in faith on Him, knowing that at the appointed time it will happen.
