November 25, 2024 Devo

There is a phrase that Jesus repeats several times throughout the Book of John.  “My time has not yet come.”  When we talk about God’s timing, we mostly talk about it in the context of God answering prayer for us.  But notice that timing was important to Jesus for Him, His ministry, and the fulfillment of His purposes here on earth.  So Jesus kept a tight rein on how much attention He drew to Himself, who He really was, and how much of a stir He caused among the religious leaders.  Fame meant nothing to Him.  As did position or recognition.  What WAS important was the careful laying of a foundation for the salvation of the world.  Sit with this thought for a minute.  Even Jesus didn’t do whatever He wanted whenever He wanted.  He aligned His actions with His Father’s plan AND His Father’s timing for Him.
How important was the timing?  In our passage today, Jesus’ brothers is trying to get Jesus to come parading into Jerusalem with adoring crowds leading the way.  That’s exactly what the religious leaders were expecting.  They could’ve then arrested Him for creating a mob scene and executed Him.  Jesus knew this.  So He let His brothers go on ahead and He came later…quietly and secretly.  He didn’t reveal Him publicly until He started teaching in the temple.  
I point this out to simply once again remind ourselves that we’re not just here to fulfill the purposes of God in our lives and be instruments of His.  We’re here to do God’s will in accordance with God’s timing.  If you’re feeling the need to confront someone with some hard truth, ask God for a sense of WHEN to say something as well as what to say.  If you’re feeling a stirring from God to begin a new ministry or move into a new role, let Him guide the process.  Sometimes there is internal and external preparation that needs to happen ahead of moving forward.  Remember, Jesus was 30 before He did anything publicly with His calling.  
Think of the ideas and inspiration you get from God as seeds.  Don’t let your excitement and enthusiasm about the seeds cause you to get ahead of God’s need to root you, grow you, and strengthen you.  God’s plans and purposes need to align with God’s timing.  Waiting on Him is the key to your success.  That’s God’s Word for you today.