Adventure - Day 23
DISCERNING THE FULLNESS OF TIME
“When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law...” Galatians 4:4 ESV
For 100’s of years, Israel awaited the fulfillment of the prophecies of a coming Messiah. The most famous of these from the prophet Isaiah…
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV
Likely, every year since this prophecy was given, children asked their parents, “Is it now mamma? Is he here papa?”. And every response would likely have been, “Not yet, but he will come. Yahweh has promised.” The children likely replied, “But when? When will the Messiah come?” Parents replied whispered back with a hint of a smile on their face and a twinkle of hope in their eyes, “Soon, children. Some day soon.”
Only God knows what He was waiting for so that the prophecy could be fulfilled, but I imagine it had to do with our openness to receive the message of a God of love, over a God of war or wrath; a God of forgiveness over a God of vengeance; a God of grace, over a God of harsh judgment. Whatever it was, the timing was right and the annunciation came.
That said, I’m sure with each passing generation, they got frustrated with how long God was taking to fulfill those prophecies. I’m sure many cried out to God, “Why not now? Why not here?” I know I’ve made those cries to God when I needed an answer and it seemed like He was quiet.
God’s timing and our timing are often two very different things. If we had our way, God would move and answer our prayers the way we want, when we want. But what if that’s not best for us? What if God, who exists above and beyond time but meets with us within time, what if He knows best. Can we trust Him to answer prayers in His time and in His way?
One of my all-time favorite stories involves my sister-in-law and her husband. They are ranchers, and when they got married, they had hopes and dreams of having a large family to raise and help work the ranch.
But after several years of trying, and praying, nothing happened. Long story short, they found out they couldn’t have kids on their own, and the medical ways to assist were far to expensive for them.
They thought about and looked into adoption, but that was expensive too. They kept praying, but year seven of their journey was the hardest one yet, spiritually. They felt as if God had abandoned them.
At the end of that year, word came about a potential child, but the price tag was still too much. Then a friend of theirs, while out to lunch, told them that a year before they had been impressed to put money away for them in the event that an adoption possibility came to fruition. Then their friend, without knowing exactly what the finances were, handed them the exact amount needed. A few weeks later, my wife and her sister-in-law were in the hospital room adjacent to wear the baby was born, and in moments, my sister-in-law was holding her new daughter.
In the darkest of times, it’s hard to remember that God is still faithful, still at work. But we must help remind each other that it’s true even when it doesn’t feel like it. God’s timing is always best, and He fulfills that from His perspective, not ours. Our job is to trust that He’s good, always.
JOURNAL
For 100’s of years, Israel awaited the fulfillment of the prophecies of a coming Messiah. The most famous of these from the prophet Isaiah…
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV
Likely, every year since this prophecy was given, children asked their parents, “Is it now mamma? Is he here papa?”. And every response would likely have been, “Not yet, but he will come. Yahweh has promised.” The children likely replied, “But when? When will the Messiah come?” Parents replied whispered back with a hint of a smile on their face and a twinkle of hope in their eyes, “Soon, children. Some day soon.”
Only God knows what He was waiting for so that the prophecy could be fulfilled, but I imagine it had to do with our openness to receive the message of a God of love, over a God of war or wrath; a God of forgiveness over a God of vengeance; a God of grace, over a God of harsh judgment. Whatever it was, the timing was right and the annunciation came.
That said, I’m sure with each passing generation, they got frustrated with how long God was taking to fulfill those prophecies. I’m sure many cried out to God, “Why not now? Why not here?” I know I’ve made those cries to God when I needed an answer and it seemed like He was quiet.
God’s timing and our timing are often two very different things. If we had our way, God would move and answer our prayers the way we want, when we want. But what if that’s not best for us? What if God, who exists above and beyond time but meets with us within time, what if He knows best. Can we trust Him to answer prayers in His time and in His way?
One of my all-time favorite stories involves my sister-in-law and her husband. They are ranchers, and when they got married, they had hopes and dreams of having a large family to raise and help work the ranch.
But after several years of trying, and praying, nothing happened. Long story short, they found out they couldn’t have kids on their own, and the medical ways to assist were far to expensive for them.
They thought about and looked into adoption, but that was expensive too. They kept praying, but year seven of their journey was the hardest one yet, spiritually. They felt as if God had abandoned them.
At the end of that year, word came about a potential child, but the price tag was still too much. Then a friend of theirs, while out to lunch, told them that a year before they had been impressed to put money away for them in the event that an adoption possibility came to fruition. Then their friend, without knowing exactly what the finances were, handed them the exact amount needed. A few weeks later, my wife and her sister-in-law were in the hospital room adjacent to wear the baby was born, and in moments, my sister-in-law was holding her new daughter.
In the darkest of times, it’s hard to remember that God is still faithful, still at work. But we must help remind each other that it’s true even when it doesn’t feel like it. God’s timing is always best, and He fulfills that from His perspective, not ours. Our job is to trust that He’s good, always.
JOURNAL
- What prayers have you been waiting for God to answer that He hasn’t yet?
- Take a few moments to think back over the course of your life. What prayers have you seen God answer, either for you, or for someone close to you?
- Are there verses like Proverbs 3: 5-6, that you cling to in dark times when you’re not sure what God is up to or if He’s listening?
- Pray for God to help grow your trust in Him today.
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