The Timing of God

Romans 8:28-30 We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. ²⁹ For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be moulded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.³⁰ And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being].

Keeping what the apostle Paul taught the Roman Christians as a background, it is important for believers in Christ to know how to walk with God in His ways and times to fulfill His purpose. In that context, “all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”

While individuals can make their plans, the path to achieving and realizing those plans is determined by the Lord. The journey holds more significance than the destination, as it is the journey that cultivates a godly character.

Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Proverbs 20:24 “A man’s steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?”

Psalm 37:23-24  ” The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.”

Jeremiah 10:23-24” I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O Lord, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.”

The Lord Jesus Christ recognized and acted according to the Father's sovereign plan and timing, urging his followers to rely on God's perfect schedule instead of their own immediate desires or understanding.

Mark 1:15 "The time is fulfilled." (at the beginning of His public ministry)

John 7:6 Jesus said, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here.” (when His family suggested self-promotion)

Matthew 26:18 “My time is at hand.” (Awaiting the crucifixion)

You may know what to do, but will you allow the Lord to teach you to trust His timing? We consider a season in Jacob’s life when God had to teach him to trust His timing.

Genesis 30:25-26 was Jacob speaking of his exit:

“As soon as Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own home and country. Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, that I may go, for you know the service that I have given you.”

Jacob’s plan and God’s plan were 6 years apart. Jacob was too early by 6 years. His difficulties with Laban clouded his direction and hearing from God. He assumed that because things were difficult, there was hurt, God was wanting to move him on. We don’t pack up when things get difficult. We get direction not from difficulty but from Gods voice.

Genesis 31:3 was God speaking of his exit:

“Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”

In those 6 years, God was wanting to do something in Jacob. (20 verses between these 2 chapters were 6 more years working for Laban). Recall that in Genesis 28:12-15, God had already told Jacob that he would be coming back to the land of his fathers. Even when he was given the speckled and spotted sheep (misfits), he knew God would bless him.

Genesis 30:33 “my honesty will answer for me later”

(When you’re tempted to compromise, cut corners, take the easy way out, remember that your honesty will answer for you later.)

Later = timing—we want it to be now

There is a power in restraint, in integrity, and in honesty.

Difficulty is not directional, but it deepens what God is doing in your life.

James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Romans 12:12 “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

God had to do something deep in Jacob to prepare him for the journey ahead (Genesis 32—wrestling and changed identity—the first time he lied to his father that his name was Esau (Genesis 27:19)). But the second time he was asked his name (Genesis 32:27) before the living God, he came to a place of truth and said “I am Jacob.”  

Genesis 33—meets his brother Esau- if he had met Esau 6 years earlier, he would not have had the right tone.)

Jacob means "deceiver" or "supplanter." His honesty about who he was was what God would honour and use in the years ahead.

God was leading Jacob to leave Laban after 20 years, not because of his hurt, not because of what Laban had done to him, not because of life and people’s inconsistencies, not because his wages were changed ten times, not because he was lied to, but God's voice was leading him through the additional 6 years with Laban.

Believers must learn to be Spirit-led (Rom 8:14), not difficulty-driven people.

Frustrations make people say and do things. A good question to ask, ‘are you speaking in your Genesis 30 voice or did you hear God’s Genesis 31 voice?’

If you’re not transformed in your pain, you will transmit your pain to others. Someone else has to suffer because you’re not willing to wait on God.

Jacob leaves Laban at 97 years and lives till 147 years—another 50 years that God had work for him.

When he left in God's time, God was His protection.

Genesis 31:24 “But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

Many people start too early, build too early, and quit too early when they are still whole. But God uses broken people to build great things. Jacob had to be broken by God.

Jacob experienced protection, direction, an encounter with God, reconciliation, and finally providence in meeting with Joseph.

Every chapter of life has difficulties and are important to make us who God wants us to be. We don’t move because of other people’s inconsistencies or insecurities; we move with the voice of God. When God calls you to move, you’re never ready. But it’s important to learn to trust Him because He is faithful to His covenant promises.

Psalm 66:12 “you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.”

Ecclesiastes 8:5-6 “Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way.” “For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him.”

The wise person obeys promptly and accurately. Yes, there’s a right time and way for everything, even though many miss it for the most part.

An obedient person is a wise person. He knows how and when.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.”

Here’s a simple heartfelt prayer if you desire to walk in God’s timing:

Dear Lord, I surrender my calendar, my time frames, my opinions, and everything else that needs to be broken inside of me, so you can have a tune that You can play wherever you take me. Help me not to revert as my strength returns.  In Jesus Name, Amen!