Always at Just the Right Time

You are an understudy in your school’s musical while playing a small non-speaking role, sort of lost in the ensemble. Suddenly, the day before the opening night, the lead actor comes down with laryngitis, and you step in and “steal the show.” Years later, you look back on that “perfect timing” moment as the launching pad for a career in theater that has taken you places you never imagined going. Did you know the difference between an “understudy” and a “standby” is that the understudy most often has a small part in the play and steps up to the lead role if the lead cannot perform whereas the standby is specifically “standing by” in case the lead cannot perform, otherwise not having any part in the play.  

We vacation at the beach every summer. One of my favorite things to do is get up and watch the sunrise from our hotel balcony. When we were there just a few weeks ago, I got up early all seven mornings. While each morning’s sunrise is uniquely beautiful, some are more spectacular than others. On one particular morning, just for a brief moment, a perfectly round and bright orange sun looked as if it was floating on the ocean’s surface. I took a picture at just the right time, allowing me to capture that moment.  

We sit out on our back patio most evenings before going to bed. It is a nice way to unwind as we sit quietly without distractions. In case you haven’t noticed, staying on your devices until bedtime is not the best way to settle your heart, mind, soul. Several nights ago, as we sat outside reading, the sun was setting just as a few rain droplets fell from the dark clouds. For just for an instant, the sky was stunning. Again, I seemed to snap a picture at just the perfect time.

Timing is everything. Sometimes it works to our advantage, other times, to our detriment. God’s timing, on the other hand, always works out best for us. In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, as Abraham and Sarah waited and waited for God to fulfill His promise of a child, they most likely had doubts about God’s promise to them. We read in Genesis 18:13-14 these words – “Then the LORD said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh and say, Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

A few chapters later we read – “Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he has promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God has promised.” (21:1-2)

Notice the key words in that passage – “at the very time God has promised.” God’s timing is perfect, but we must learn to wait for His timing, and trust that He will do things “at the very time” He promises.

Despite Abraham making a few missteps along the way, and at times doubting God’s timing and promise, God kept His promise and blessed Abraham with a son from whom the lineage of Jesus would come. The certainty of God’s promises are made clear to us in Hebrews 6:13-15, When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater than him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. 

So today, do you, or maybe better asked, will you seek God’s way and wait for His timing? (Read Psalm 130:5-6, Isaiah 40:28-31, Micah 7:7) His timing is perfect, always at just the right time.  

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