Changing Times – in His Hands

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon contrasts opposite times we will go through in our lifetimes. “There is a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to harvest, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” God has a plan and timing for each event that intercepts our lives.

A few years ago on a mission trip to Mexico, we had some free time to go sight-seeing and shopping. As we prepared to pay for our selections, one of our friends discovered someone had stolen her wallet. Her joy had also been stolen and replaced by anger and disbelief.

To my friend’s credit, she reclaimed the joy of serving those to whom we came to minister. Be on guard to inadvertently stealing someone’s joy by permitting a negative attitude and disposition to infiltrate who you are and your ministry for Christ Jesus. Accepting God’s perfect timing for everything is the secret to activating the joy Jesus gives. 

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I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.

~Psalm 31:14-15 New International Version

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust in him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

~Psalm 28:7 New Living Translation

At the Right Time

Listen to this encouragement from God’s word. "Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not become too discouraged and give up.” For many people it seems that there is just no way out of a slump, yet St. Paul tells us to press on, continue doing good even in the worst of times.

          Joseph helped a former servant from the palace of Pharaoh, King of Egypt to be restored to his position. As a trusted servant he had tested everything the King would eat or drink. This man promised Joseph he would recommend him to Pharaoh when the opportunity arose. There are times when we desperately count on others to help even at great risk to themselves.  

Waiting for God's timing is difficult when we expect instant satisfaction. I can imagine Joseph waiting day after day wondering what happened to the man who promised to help him get out of prison. When we wait patiently for God's timing, we can be assured the results will be exactly what God planned for us.          

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“When the right time comes, I will make this happen quickly.

I am the Lord!”

~Isaiah 60:22b Good News Bible

God makes everything happen at the right time. Yet none of us can ever fully understand all he has done, and he puts questions in our minds about the past and the future.

~Ecclesiastes 3:11 Contemporary English Version