Appointments control my time, from time to time. I have appointments that have us traveling south and other appointments that make us head north, These are medical appointments and either direction makes us get started about 2 and a half hours ahead of time to make sure we arrive on time even if there might be traffic or construction delays. We often then arrive with plenty of time to spare—unless we try to get in something else and misjudge the timing! But usually we arrive at least half an hour ahead of time and often even earlier. We are just not on time, we are ahead of time. When we check in, we are directed to where we can wait to be called. And we have discovered that usually I can get called for the appointment way ahead of the time we were supposed to arrive! I know that I don't understand clinic scheduling and how patients are spaced out to wait for their turn, so I have wondered who's spot I am taking when I get called early? But, if by some chance, something prevents me from getting to the appointment on time, then I get bumped to the bottom of the list of people to be seen or for surgery.
My most recent experiences gave me much to think about. The first appointment was in 2 parts. I had absolutely no waiting for the first part even though we were way early. Then of course we were early for part two. We expected to wait for this appointment until the appointed time. But that time came and passed, and we continued to wait, and wait and wait. A whole hour past the scheduled time and we were still waiting. Finally my name was called! The person that came to take me back to the exam room was maybe having a not such a good day. She did not want to walk so that my husband and I could keep up with her and we both have to walk slower from our knee and leg problems. She seemed to have no consideration for us! And overall made us think she was grumpy or having a really bad day! Then she left us alone to wait and wait some more! We were happy through that she left us alone!
The next appointment a week later was the 2-hour trip to the north and again, we made sure to arrive early! This time, early did not get us to see the doctor early and we could see the reason. The waiting area was so full that we decided to choose to sit in an outside area until closer to the actual appointment. There were no grumpy people having a bad day for this appointment either.
After traveling the two hours in either direction, I usually need time to use a restroom. This leads me to ask if I will have time for this need. I have sometimes observed that the nurse will come and call out a name and get no answer. This can happen 2 or 3 or even 4 times. Did this person give up and leave? Are they in the restroom and missing the call of their name? I do not ever want to miss out being called and then have to come back another time.
All these experiences with time—early, on time, late—gave me several things to think about. God is an on-time God. Sometimes we think He is late! Sometimes it seems like He is early when He gives me something before I even know I need it. He may not come when I want Him to come, but He will be right here on time. The problem is it will be when He says the time is right and not according to my time of rightness! He will be on time, with no delay. I will not have to worry about being left out when my name is called. God has a plan that includes me, and He wants me to be available. He is waiting for me to be ready.
Many people say, "God will come on time"! That has the idea that God’s plans, promises, and interventions will unfold in His perfect timing, which may not always align with what we humans want or have as expectations.
I was reading about God's timing. And found some thoughts to share.
The Bible encourages believers to trust in God's timing, even when things seem delayed or uncertain.
God is faithful to His promises, and His timing is often described as "perfect" or "just in time".
Scripture examples:
Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Hebrews 10:37: "For yet a little while, and He that is coming will come, and will not tarry."
Matthew 24:44: "Therefore be also ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
God is in control of time and events, and He will bring about His purposes in His own way and at His own time.
We need to Understand God's Timing: It’s not Always Human Time:
God's timing is not always the same as human time or expectations.
Sometimes, purposeful delays can be part of God's plan to prepare individuals or situations for a specific purpose.
Waiting on God and trusting in His timing requires patience and faith, even when things seem difficult or unclear.
God has a different perspective and sees the bigger picture and knows the best time for things to happen, even if we don't understand it. Peter and Paul and Silas were all tossed into prison and had to wait for God to open the doors to freedom.
"God will come on time" is a reminder to trust in God's perfect timing, even when things seem delayed or uncertain, and to have faith that His plans will unfold in His own way and at His own time.
I like a Bible that lets me read different versions side by side. Sometimes I have to have several Bibles open to the same passage so that I can read a verse in different versions and translations. Here is Matthew 24:36 compared:
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. NIV
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. NLV
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. ESV
And Matthew 24:42 compared:
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. NIV
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. NLT
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. ESV
Each version gives me a little bit of a different way to think about each verse.
Time is important to God! God is a God of timing: “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 ).
Isaiah 60:22 says, “A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.” This seems to tell us that it is not going to happen until it happens, and when it happens, it is going to happen quickly.
We can pray. We need to wait. We have hope. We must believe. And in His perfect time, we will see His faithful plan unfold.
Dear Father, help me to keep trusting in You, even in long seasons of waiting. I know Your timing is perfect. I ask that You to fill my heart with faith, peace and joy.
The concept of God delaying his second coming of Christ, is often understood as showing God's mercy and patience, not as a sign of weakness or slowness, but as an opportunity for more people to repent and come to salvation.
The idea of a delay comes from the Bible in 2 Peter 3:9, which says, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but for everyone to come to repentance".
The delay shows us God's patience and mercy, giving people time to turn to Him and find salvation.
God's delay is not a sign of inaction, but rather a deliberate act to allow more people to have the opportunity to repent and change their lives. While we cannot control the timing of the second coming, we are called to live in a way that reflects our hope and anticipation for it. This includes living a life of holiness, godliness, and actively participating in God's redemptive mission.
2 Peter 3:12 speaks of "looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God".
It's important to remember that God's timing is perfect and based on His wisdom, even if it doesn't always align with our human understanding of time.
The delay is not a sign that God is weak or unable to act, but rather a demonstration of His character and His desire for all people to be saved.
The delay is part of God's plan, and it should inspire patience and passion in believers as we await the Lord's return to come and take us home.
So, the biblical reason for God delaying His return is rooted in His mercy and patience. God desires that more people have the chance to repent and accept the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. As believers, our role--my duty—is to remain faithful, share the gospel, and trust in God's perfect timing.
A time of delay can only be due to God's patience and seeking redemption for all His sheep. In other words, God is not wishing, He is not willing that any of His elect will perish.
God's timing is always perfect. He is always fully in control of all things at all times in all places. His delays might simply be because the answer you seek is not in His timing— YET. Remember that a delay is not a denial. We/I just need to accept God's Timing. Although frustrating, not knowing the exact timing is often what keeps us sticking to the program.
The Bible and prophecy/prophets give us some ideas of His timing. But He doesn't always allow us to see the exact timing of His plan. Although frustrating, not knowing the exact timing is often what keeps us sticking to the program. There are times when we might give up if we knew how long it was going to take, but when we accept God's timing, we can learn to live in hope and enjoy our lives while God is working on our problems. We know that God's plan for our lives is good, and when we entrust ourselves to Him, we can experience total peace and happiness.
The Bible book of Genesis tells the story of Joseph, who waited many years for the fulfillment of the dream God had given him. He was falsely accused and imprisoned before the time came for him to do what God had shown him he was to do. Exodus 13:17-18 tells us that God led the Israelites the longer, harder way on their journey to the Promised Land because He knew they were not yet ready to go in. There had to be time for their training, and they had to go through some very trying situations. They wasted a lot of time wondering about God's timing, but God never failed to take care of them and show them what He wanted them to do. There are others who had to wait for God's timing to be fulfilled. Elizabeth and Zachariah had to wait for their son to come, Moses had wait for God's timing as he needed to be proved and get the right attitude out in the desert, Nebuchadnezzar had to eat grass and wait for God to be done with him before he could go back to being King. Abraham and Sarah had to wait for a child, Hannah was waiting for a child that she would give back to God. Poor Jacob spent most of his life waiting—Jacob had to wait and wrestle with God before he would reunite with his brother. Jacob also had to wait for the love of his life—Rachel. Jacob had to wait to see Rueben again since Joseph kept him behind in Egypt and Jacob also had to wait to see Joseph after being told that he had died in the desert. Paul had to wait and work through wrong thinking until he changed to be ready for God to use him.
If all these Bible people survived waiting and are examples and lessons for us, why should we get so frustrated at times of waiting. But we do!
While I’m tired of this life, I see God’s purpose in making me wait!
I will be patient while I wait for God!