Timing

I Kings 8:1-6

“Timing is everything.” You’ve heard the phrase – probably even said it yourself. If you are a mom, your children – like mine – probably absolutely love it when you answer their question with, “We’ll see.” Waiting for an answer is something that isn’t particularly enjoyable.

Our culture is the “microwave culture.” With the advance of technology we simply don’t have to wait very long for anything. You want to know how your friends are doing on the other side of the world? Send an e-mail. Forgot to ask what time your family will be home for dinner – send a text. Want to say, “I love you?” Make a quick phone call. The means of communication in our day is awesome.

Sometimes, however, in God’s economy, waiting is part of the process. And . . . it isn’t a “bad thing.” He hears us immediately when we call on Him. He sees whole mural of life – while we can only see our part of the picture. Because He knows all, sometimes His timing isn’t what we supposed it would be – and His answer takes longer than expected – but He will answer!

Isn’t the story in I Kings 8 amazing? God spoke again through His prophet Elisha. This lady had been very kind to Elisha – and he had been gracious to her, praying and restoring her son to life. Now, a famine was on the land and he was telling her to “get out of town.” So, for seven years, she left her home.

During those seven years, she and her son were saved, but she lost her property, and her house. So . . . when she comes back, she goes to appeal to the King to see if she can get it back.

Now, they didn’t live in a “microwave culture!” The King certainly had no idea she was coming. He is having a talk with Gehazi – who was Elisha’s servant – asking him about the mighty things Elisha had done.

I love verse 5! “Now it happened, as he was telling the king how he had restored the dead to life, that there was the woman whose son he had restored to life, appealing the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, ‘My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.”

Wow! Talk about “perfect timing!” That did it! The kind restored all that was hers – plus all of the proceeds from the field from the day she left until the day she returned.

Guess what? We serve the same God. The God who arranged the schedules of the king, the servant, and the woman can arrange our schedules too. The process of waiting calls for faith – calls for trusting – but, be encouraged! He knows where you are, and knows what’s best. Keep your hand in His today – He’s the best at “perfect timing.”

Written by: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

Take it with You

“Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say on the Lord

(Psalm 27:17)!