When God is late…

In Acts 1 Jesus commanded the Apostles to wait on the Holy Spirit, they asked Jesus if this will be the time that He will restore His Kingdom to Israel and he answered “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” Isaiah 60:22 tells us that at the right time God will quicken the fulfillment of promises. I can end this post right here, and we can carry on with another topic… No caption needed. But… the Holy Spirit wants me to say a bit more around this topic.

In Mark 5:21-43 Jesus was approached by a man called Jairus, his 12 year old daughter was very ill and Jesus agreed to go and heal her. On their way to Jairus’ house Jesus got interrupted by a lady that knew if only she could touch His garment that she would be healed of an illness she has been struggling with for 12 years. Jesus could feel power flowing from Him as soon as the lady touched His garment. The lady humbly told Him her story when He asked who touched Him. Jesus blessed her, she was fully healed and went on her way. While all of this took place, people came from Jairus’ house and told him not to bother Jesus, it was too late, his daughter was dead. Jesus heard the news and said “Do not be afraid, just believe.” Jesus went to see the little girl. On His arrival He said she wasn’t dead, but only sleeping. The people laughed at Him as they knew she was dead. Jesus went into the room and told her “Little Girl, I say unto you, Arise.” And the girl immediately got up and started walking.

When God is late, just to prove His glory

There is a lot of similarities in the resurrections described in John 11 and Mark 5. Death and doubt ended in resurrection and praise… but what stand out in both these events is that Jesus was fashionably “late”, so late that death took place during the time He was on route to the “sick”… late according to the human clock.

In John 11:15 Jesus said He was glad He was late, with the INTENT to have them believe. In Mark 5 Jesus was delayed again, by accident? I doubt it, He was right on time to heal the lady from her illness, and, on His watch and intent, He was perfectly on time for a resurrection that exceeded the expectations of a healing, again. At times God will allow “death” to occur to show us His Glory, times where we have given up all hope… “But God, if only You would…” No, No, No, God “would” nothing… He “Will”, at the right time, His time. The sad part is that God need to prove Himself to us, it breaks His heart to see us struggle, but what great pleasure it brings when He exceeds our expectations at a point of “giving up”, to show us His glory, at a point we cannot and will not take the credit for the blessing.

When God is late, you might not be ready for what you are waiting for

We know the story all too well of how Moses, by the grace of God, led the Israelites out of Egypt. In Exodus 13 the Israelites finally left Egypt, but you would never think that God will remove them from bondage (Egypt), just to place them in a wilderness. Exodus 13:17-18 tells us that God led them out from Egypt, but He took them the long way around, because He knew they would not be ready for war had they gone through Philistine territory, they would run back to bondage (Egypt) if they had to face tribulations (war) at that point in time. God knows what you are not ready for, you might think you are ready for the blessing or breakthrough you are waiting for… what you are waiting for is attached to other responsibilities and obstacles, God knows that you need to wait just a little bit longer while He prepares you for what He has in store for you.

When God is late, YOU might be delaying the process

It is estimated that the trip from Egypt to the promised land would’ve taken around 11 days, however the Israelites were wandering around for 40 years. The Israelites rebelled a few times against Moses and Aaron (who were representing God), asking why they were led out of Egypt just to die in the desert. God tested their loyalty on a few occasions when He gave them whatever they complained about (Exodus 14:11-12; Exodus 15:24; Exodus 16:1-4; Exodus 20:20; Deuteronomy 8:2&16). In Exodus 16:28 God asked Moses “How long will they refuse to keep my commandments and laws?” God led them out of Egypt, He then gave Moses the law to guide the people on how to live a life pleasing to God, to live a life without sin. While God was busy counselling Moses, the people got impatient and built themselves a golden calf to worship, because they got tired of waiting for Moses. In Exodus 32 Moses came down the mountain with the commandments written on stone tables, which God gave to Moses, Moses threw the tables in anger and it broke when he saw what the people were up to, later (Exodus 34) God told Moses to cut the stones himself to replace the first stones God gave him. God gave it to you, you broke it, now it needs to be fixed, delays on delays due to our recklessness. In Numbers 14 God had enough of their disobedience and ungratefulness and told Moses none of the “Egypt generation” would live to see the promised land.

It was “easy” for God to get the people out of Egypt, but it took 40 years to get the “Egypt” (bondage) mentality out of Israel (Mass circumcision in Joshua 5). God will get you out of your situation, your job then is to get the situation out of you (Romans 12:2). The wilderness is a season of correction and preparation so that you can enjoy what God is preparing for you in the promised land, should we reject this correction, we are not only delaying the blessings, but also reject the inheritance received through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:3-13).

God is NEVER late, for us measuring life with time,
it may appear that He is.
Is He trying to show you His Glory?
Embrace it, Praise Him
(Exodus 33:18-19)
Is He trying to prepare you?
Embrace it, Trust Him
(Psalms 138:8)
Are you delaying the process?
Embrace the correction, submit to Him
(Hebrews 12:4-8; James 4:7)

Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31) and God will supply their every need to endure the wait and weight (Philippians 4:19), and ultimately experience His glory in every season we are facing. In Acts 1 Jesus commanded the Apostles to wait, it was an instruction, and obedience was required. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, listen to and obey His commands, He knows best.