Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Timing is Everthing!

"When Moses told these words to all the Israelites, the people mourned greatly. They rose early in the morning and went up to the heights of the hill country, saying, 'Here we are. We will go up to the place that the LORD has promised, for we have sinned.' But Moses said, 'Why do you continue to transgress the command of the LORD? That will not succeed. Do not go up, for the Lord is not with you.'"
(Numbers 14:39-42a)

Faced with the opportunity to move into "the Promised Land," the Israelites chose a spirit of fear, trepidation, and timidity instead of trusting in God's power, grace & provision. Moses then told them God's consequences for their lack of faith: 40 years of wandering in the wilderness (1 year for every day they spied out the land)... and all of them would die... THEN God would take their children into the Promised Land.

When they heard that, they changed their minds. "No! Wait! We're sorry! We're ready to go now!!!" Um... hold it guys, that's too little, too late. God doesn't want you to go now anyway. Your hearts aren't in it! But they persisted, nonetheless. They "boldly" went in - and were soundly defeated. Why? GOD WASN'T WITH THEM. They missed the chance.

There's a saying that "timing is everything." That's especially true when it comes to God-things. God's timing is everything. We may make plans and set wonderful opportunities for ministry in place. But if we aren't prepared to follow God's timing, our labor is in vain. The challenge, of course, is to be able to discern God's timing and direction... which isn't always 'crystal clear.' I do believe, however, that God desires that we know his timing & direction... so He'll give us ample opportunity o hear. I hope!

PRAYER: Lord God, it's Your timing I seek - especially in terms of this satellite ministry proposal at Aiea UMC. Don't let me get locked into my schedule, at the expense of missing Yours! AMEN.

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