Never Late

In a world of fast food, high-speed travel, and almost-instant communication, we rather expect God too to act quickly on our behalf! The Creator of days and nights, months and years, views time somewhat differently than we earth creatures do, so that our expectation of His timely help may be skewed. Oh yes, we believe He is going to take care of the situation, but when? "On time" for us often translates to "now," and that may not be how God sees the situation at all.

The prophet Jeremiah sent a long letter to the captive Israelites, assuring them of God's continued care and His eventual deliverance for them. One verse from that passage is a favorite of many people: " 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' " (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV) Well then, let's see those plans unfolding now, the prosperity now, the hopeful future now!

That was not God's way. Before the wonderful promise we often quote, this caution is written, "As soon as Babylon's seventy years are up and not a day before, I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." (Jeremiah 29:10, 11 MSG) Not a day before God's time was right would there be the answer the people longed for. Not a day before God has completed His wise preparation will we see Him show up to take care of us as He promised.

As I was growing up, I often heard ministers and evangelists expound on God's faithfulness by saying, "God is never late, although He's seldom early." It often takes awhile—most of a lifetime, perhaps—for us to learn that is how He works. The Psalmist said, "My times are in Your hand." Indeed, the entire great expanse we call "time" is held by God, so we can absolutely trust Him with the tiny piece of it that concerns you and me.

MaryMartha

Scripture quotation marked NIV is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture marked MSG is taken from The Message. Copyright © 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.