His Timetable

Scriptures: Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” (John 12:23)

I don’t know why. But, I think God has been reminding me of His timing recently. Yesterday, in our bible study, someone in our church, a student from Taiwan, shared how God has shown him the divine timing. He said that he has been very busy recently. On the one hand, he has been applying for a graduate school in one of the many prestigious colleges here in Southern California. The application required a proof of his financial resources. On the other hand, because of the location of the school, he needed get a driver license so as to buy a car to take him to school.

He told us that, in the beginning, he didn’t think much. He knew both were important and tried to proceed on both accounts simultaneously. But, somehow his efforts in getting the driver license did not go anywhere. He failed the first couple of times which he did not think much because he thought it might have something to do with him being new to this country and to all the systems here.

But, after 2 or 3 times, he was puzzled. He had been driving in Taiwan for some time and driving really was not a problem for him. But his experiences and knowledge did not seem to help and this kind of frustrated him. To make a long story short, he ended up taking 7 driving tests before he was able to secure a driver license. Afterwards, he said, everything else went smoothly. He wondered to himself, why?

Then, he noticed that, just a couple of days before he took that 7th driving test, he received the admission to the school he wanted. He realized that the Lord would not let him pass the test to get his car because he needed the money in the back for the college to verify his financial resources. As soon as the verification process was complete and the school found his academic performance acceptable, according to him, there was no more reason to hold up his driver’s license process and everything took off from that point on.

It was a very interesting testimony of how God worked according to His timing. The Bible teaches that God has a timetable. Jesus repeatedly talked about His hour. In Cana, when Mary asked Him to take care of the wine shortage problem, He told her, “Dear woman, why do you involve m? My time has not yet come.” (John 2:4) In the 7th chapter of the book of John, Jesus told His brothers, “The right time for me has not yet come.” (John 7:6) There was a time set and Jesus was clearly aware of it.

I guess that’s why, in everything Jesus did, we would never see Him in panic or rushing things. He took time to do things He needed to. He was always in control and, as a result, things were accomplished exactly the way they were planned. It seems to me that God’s plan is accomplished by His execution of His plan and His execution is based on His timing.

Another good example of God’s command over timing can be seen in the death and the resurrection of Lazarus. When Jesus was told of Lazarus’ illness, He deliberately delayed for a couple of days. He knew that this illness was “for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4) Even if He allowed Lazarus to die, He, the Lord of life and death, was capable of bringing Lazarus back from death. The life and death of His loved ones was definitely His concern. But, what’s more important to Him were the glory of God and our growing knowledge of this amazing God.

Life is full of surprises and heart-breaking incidences that catch us off-guard. Three weeks ago, on a Monday, I took my dad to a doctor’s appointment. Who would have thought that this doctor’s appointment would turn into a week of hospitalization and a surgery. When I read Michele’s sharing last Thursday, I knew exactly how that must have felt like. We are only moments away from a potentially life turning experience. But, let’s learn from our Master, Jesus, that, even in the face of the most terrifying moments in life, we can remain hopeful in His peace because, first of all, He is in control always and, secondly, He will bring out His goodness in His timing. Before that time comes, let’s entrust ourselves to Him by waiting on Him because He has promised us that “those hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Prayer Requests:
For our loved ones who have to go through medical treatments of any size in their old age

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for blessing us with loved ones in life. As we lift up those who are physically or spiritually weak to You, please help us to be mindful of Your goodness and sovereignty in our lives so we may be the witnesses of Your joy and peace for all, in good time and in bad. Help us to look to You for strength and faithfulness as we await for Your timing. In the mighty name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen!