September 10, 2024 Devo

Timing is everything. Have you noticed that? In sports you learn it’s not just about knowing what moves to make, but WHEN to make them. When you’re buying or selling property or houses, you learn that how much you can make depends on WHEN you put it on the market. In relationships, you discover that it’s not just about what you say to someone that’s important, but WHEN you say it. Do any of these things at the wrong time and you get a result that you don’t want.
Jesus was big on timing. He knew not just what to do, but when to do it. There’s a statement throughout the Book of John that Jesus frequently makes. “My time has not yet come.” He knew when to begin His ministry. He knew when to pick His Twelve Disciples. He knew when to reveal who He was and what He came to do. He knew when to die and when to rise from the dead. And here, in our passage today, Jesus exercises His Divine Timing. He knew exactly when to go back and take care of Lazarus.
A lot of us struggle with the timing of God. I know I do. I’m not a big believer in delayed gratification. When I see something that needs to be done, I want it done NOW. When I see something I want, I want it NOW. When I pray, I sometimes find myself giving God a timeline along with my request. And that timeline is usually a lot sooner than how God often chooses to answer.
I’m learning that trusting the love of God is also trusting the sovereignty of God. He not only knows WHAT is best for me, He knows WHEN. Jesus planned to respond to Lazarus when it would achieve the highest purposes and have the maximum impact. You can trust Him to respond to you at just the right time as well. So make your request, pour out your heart, but then put it in the hands of God. Trust His will, trust His way, but also trust His WHEN. Because timing is everything. That’s God’s Word for you today.