When God's Too Early or Too Late!

A woman on a mission trip landed at the Singapore airport. She was mistaken for a wanted criminal and thrown into a filthy prison. A few days later authorities realized they had the wrong woman and released her.

A doctor forgot to sign his patient’s release papers and couldn't be reached. The patient remained confined to his hospital bed while important things at home went undone. Time was being wasted!

I’m a list maker. A prayer list, grocery list, daily “to do” list, a packing list for my suitcase (so I won’t forget anything).  I used to think making lists would guarantee me security and a sense of peace.

In spite of our finely tuned schedules, interruptions show up and expectations fizzle. Our best laid plans sink, often taking us down with them. Trying to manage life the way we want takes an incredible amount of hard work. It steals joy from the journey. It’s energy draining!

That’s when you and I query God, “Are you paying attention?” “Did you hear my prayers?”  “Are you aware I need help and now!”

If I believe the Truth, then God DOES have a plan, and a good one. God DOESN'T lose track of time. God KNOWS every detail about our situations. God has a purpose for His timing.

In the gospel of John we read the story of two sisters, Mary and Martha. They were consumed with grief because their brother Lazarus fell gravely ill. They sent word to Jesus for help, but by the time He arrived, four days later, Lazarus had died and was laid in a tomb.

Martha greeted Jesus first. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Mary echoed her sister’s words, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11: 21, 32)

Jesus allowed Mary and Martha to go through heartfelt agony. But, He also showed them compassion! He entered into their sorrow and wept with them. Jesus always feels our heartache, our disappointment, our distress. (Hebrews 4:15)

Jesus, being accused of arriving too late, proved everyone wrong. He said to them, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40) Jesus thundered, “Lazarus, come out!” and the dead man came out.

Often, on this side of heaven, we don’t perceive the glory God has planned for life’s disappointments, interruptions, or loss. Like Thomas, we muse or say, “Unless I see…I will not believe,” (John 20:29). But Jesus replies, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

God knows every detail about your situation and mine. God is sovereign. God manages perfectly, day and night, year in and year out, the movement of the stars, planets, and invisible molecules that holds things together.  He’s able to manage the timing of our days and weeks. He’s never late.

This week let’s include "wait on God" to our timetable. Let’s entrust our agenda, our calendar, and our lists into the hands of the One who sees all of eternity in a glance.  “…I trust in you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God. My times are in your hands’…" (Psalm 31:14, 1 5).