Do You Trust God’s Timing? — Substantial Hope

Do You Trust God’s Timing?

Today I had plans. They were not big plans but they were mine. Then I got out of bed to a cloudy, rainy day so those plans were changed.

Rain is falling now as I write. The leaves are drooping on the trees from the water, and the fall colors that have started to show here are made darker with the dampness. I have turkey breasts on the smoker, and the smell of burning cherry wood permeates the back porch air. A fresh cup of coffee, late in the day for it, smolders by my side.

There is a tree in my backyard that I have grown fond of. I like to watch that tree with the changing of the seasons. I know, that sounds like an old man thing to do but more seasons have passed me by than I have noticed. I do not know what kind of tree it is, which I am ashamed of because perhaps I owe it a little more study than that. Whatever name it has, this tree has a beauty to it with each passing season that I love to behold. It reminds me of the passing seasons of my life. It will change regardless of what I do.

This was not what I had thought today would be. The older I get the more days I have this way. The rain was ordered for today here in these Alabama hills long before I settled on my schedule. Reminders of the start of a new season and the ending of another one are all around me. My old friend, the nameless tree, has a hint of autumn in its leaves. God has shown me one more time that this world moves on His perfect timing.

God Is Always On Time

The story of Lazarus in the Bible is a perfect example of God’s timing. In the 11th chapter of the book of John we find that a man named Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, was sick. These sisters knew Jesus and that He could heal their brother. They sent word to Him, requesting that He would come and help Lazarus.

The Bible says that Jesus remained at the place He received the word of Lazarus’ sickness for two days. He then told His disciples that it was time to go to Judaea to help Lazarus, who was dead now. After He arrived, He found that Lazarus had been in the grave four days.

Upon hearing word of the arrival of the Lord, Martha ran out to meet Him. She knew that Jesus could have healed her brother from His sickness. She told Him that if he would have been there, Lazarus would not have died. Martha, like me sometimes, did not fully trust, or even comprehend, the perfect timing of God.

Scripture goes on to tell us that Jesus did raise Lazarus from the dead. He was there just when He needed to be. There have been times in my life when I could not see, like Martha, just what God has in mind. I should learn to trust God more, whatever the season.

The Seasons of My Life

Rain hitting this metal roof over my porch today takes me back to my childhood. I remember somedays during a rain I would go to the barn and lay in the hay, listening to the melody of water on tin. I had simpler thoughts then, and could not possibly see how complicated growing up would be.

There have been loses and gains throughout my life. Valleys have caused me to climb. Mountain tops have shown me the blessings that God has given. All of the events of my life and yours have happened in God’s perfect order. I am learning daily to have more faith during the lows and to be more thankful with the highs.

The thought occurred to me this week that at any given moment, within three days, my flesh could be covered six feet under this Alabama dirt. I know, that is morbid, but it is true nonetheless. That will come in God’s good time as well. Like my old friend, the tree with no name, this flesh will change. I cannot stop that just like I cannot stop the new season that is coming.

I have assurance today though. Whatever the season, wherever I am, I am saved by the precious blood of the Lamb. This flesh, like that tree, will return to the ground from which it came. My soul is kept though, and in this I can rejoice no matter the season. Knowing this, I can put my faith in God’s timing. Jesus saved my soul, right on time.

Ecc. 3:11 He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in his heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Originally published at https://substantialhope.com on October 24, 2020.