Question 1

How was Jesus’ life an example of God’s perfect timing?

Accepted Answer

John 7:30Then the leaders tried to arrest him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.Romans 5:6When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.Galatians 4:4When the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.The Hebrew people had been longing for the Messiah for centuries, yet God sent Jesus to earth at just the right time. We won’t fully understand why this was perfect timing until we get to heaven and see God’s complete plan, but we can be assured that God sent Jesus at the time when the most people would be reached with the good news of salvation, both present and future.Ephesians 1:10This is the plan: At the right time he [God] will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.1 Timothy 2:6He [Christ] gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.1 Timothy 6:15At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.If Jesus’ first coming was timed exactly right, we can be confident that Jesus’ second coming also will be right on schedule.

Question 2

Is God’s timing at work in my life?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 139:16You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.Isaiah 25:1O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them.Habakkuk 2:3This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.John 11:1-6, 14-15, 21, 32, 43-45A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. . . . So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” . . . But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days. . . . So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.” . . . Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” . . . When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” . . . Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen.Romans 12:12Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.God has had our whole life planned before we were even born. He knows everything about us and is most qualified to be trusted to intervene on our behalf. His agenda and his timing for us are perfect. Praise God that we can play a part in his work in this world.

Question 3

My life seems to be on hold right now. Has God forgotten me?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 40:23Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought.2 Samuel 5:4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in all.Luke 3:23Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry.2 Timothy 1:12That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.Because of a cup-bearer’s forgetfulness, Joseph spent two additional years in prison. David was anointed as the next king of Israel when he was just a boy, but he did not reign until he was thirty years old. Much of that time was spent running and hiding from King Saul. Jesus began his ministry when he was thirty. Paul spent much time in prison for his faith. While we might think God should not have “wasted” their time, God knew better. David’s waiting prepared him for the great work God had called him to do. Paul’s waiting gave him time to write several books of the New Testament. Time “on hold” is not wasted if we are serving God right where we are. Trust that God’s timing is perfect.Psalm 69:13I keep praying to you, Lord, hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation.Isaiah 40:31Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.Romans 12:12Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.We should keep praying, be patient, and stay alert as we wait for God to show us our next assignment.

Question 4

How can I best wait for God’s timing?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 40:1I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.Psalm 62:1, 5I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. . . . Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.The ability to wait quietly for something is evidence of strong character. Waiting on the Lord is the patient confidence that what he promises for our lives now and in the future will come true. When we are able to wait quietly for God to act without becoming restless and agitated, we show that we fully trust his timing. What a confident and peaceful way to live!Genesis 12:4-5, 7Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. . . . Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him.Genesis 21:1-2, 5The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would. . . . Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.If we do the math in these Bible verses, we discover that twenty-five years passed between God’s promise and its fulfillment! A lot of patience was required of Abraham and Sarah. No wonder they made a few mistakes along the way, hoping to help God out. God sometimes makes us wait so that we will learn to trust him in the meantime. Other times, he wants us to develop greater patience.Psalm 31:5I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God.Psalm 59:9You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress.Be continually reminded of God’s faithfulness. He is actively working in our lives to help us become all he made us to be.

Timing of God