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WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, July 8, 2008

THE ELEMENT OF TIME

God created the concept of time for man. God does not need time nor does He restrict Himself to time. He is eternal, the beginning and the end. It is true that He has a plan for the ages which involves various elements of time, but time as we think of it is not relevant for Him. This is one factor that is difficult for us as people.

Patiently waiting for something does not usually come easily for us. When I was a child, I thought birthdays and Christmas took forever. When my husband and I were waiting for our first child, I thought the nine months would never end!

It is interesting to see how often God's plan involves waiting. Noah worked on the ark and waited 120 years for the flood. After he, his family and all the creatures were shut up in the ark, God waited another seven days before it began to rain. God gave Abraham the promise of a son, yet it took 25 years before this promise was fulfilled. Between the old and new Testaments there is 400 years of silence, without any revelation from God.

Even Jesus waited 30 years before He started His public ministry. He waited purposely three days after He knew Lazerus was sick. In all these examples, we might think why did God wait so long? Did He forget? Did He have a purpose and plan for the waiting?

Waiting! I have often wondered why God makes me wait. I have come to a few conclusions.
  1. He allows time for all people and circumstances involved to be moved into place.
  2. Waiting exercises my faith. Maybe that is why it seems so hard sometimes. He stretches my faith farther than it has had to go before.
  3. It perfects Christian character. "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:4. It is a necessary and important lesson in spiritual growth.
  4. Waiting also brings the reality of His sovereignty more in focus. He holds the control on all things.
  5. I once read a statement that said, "waiting patiently means accepting the circumstances God brings without setting a time limit." Sometimes, that can be a big order!!
  6. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit. One thing I have learned, real patience is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit working in my life.
"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;" Colossians 1:10

No matter what situation you have in your life right now, may you learn to wait patiently for Him, that He might do wondrous things for you. "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;" Ephesians 3:16

POINT TO PONDER:

In what area of your life is God requiring you to wait? Are you fretting and just enduring, or are you patient, without setting limitations?

- Sandy Hastings July 8, 2008
If you wish to contact me personally, e-mail me at sandy.hastings@gmx.de

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