Learning to Trust God’s Timing

Pull out your Bibles, ladies, and let’s read over Genesis 16-17. If you don’t have a physical Bible with you at the moment, just click the bold headings below and it’ll take you straight to the passage on Bible.com.

Have you ever wanted something so badly, that you nearly forced it to happen because you just couldn’t wait?

Imagine you wanted to live somewhere else, and so in a sudden moment of excitement, you packed up everything and left. But, now you’re left with nowhere to live, no job, and no clue as to how you’ll pay your bills next month. Instead of waiting for God’s timing, you rushed, and now you’re in a pretty big pickle.

Patience can be a hard thing to have. I know that just as well as anyone else. Sometimes, I’ll order something online, and I’ll want what I’ve bought so badly that I can’t see straight. Impatience can cause us to do ridiculous things that we later come to regret.

You may find yourself paying $10-$20 in shipping just to have something materialistic one day sooner than if you would’ve just saved your money. Now, luckily, I’ve not done that before, only because when I order something I know it usually comes early anyway, and that money I might’ve wasted could have gone towards gas for my car, food, or even a blessing for someone else.

Read all of Genesis 16.

Abram and Sarai—instead of waiting on God’s perfect timing—forced something to happen when God had clearly wanted them to wait. The idea that, in desperation, Sarai would have her husband sleep with her Egyptian maid, Hagar, might be a clear sign as to why God thought the couple was not ready yet for the child they knew they’d one day have. And Abram’s inability to lead his wife to a more Christ-like solution (ahem, WAITING), could be another clear reason God held off.

Not only did they sin before God as they tried to make something happen outside of His timing, but they delayed the gift God had planned for them!

Read all of Genesis 17.

After waiting 13 more years, God addressed Abram with His covenant. Genesis 17:2 (AMPC) reads, “And I will make My covenant (solemn pledge) between Me and you and will multiply you exceedingly.”

Now imagine, if the couple had waited for God rather than taking things into their own hands, this blessing might have come a lot sooner, and they could’ve been saved the conflict with Hagar.

It is extremely important that we wait on God so we can avoid such unnecessary issues. It’s never a waste of our time, and He always comes through at the perfect moment.

So today, whatever you’re waiting on—whether it’s a relationship, a job, healing, or even just a prayer answered—don’t rush ahead of God. He sees the full picture, and His timing is always perfect. Instead of asking, “When, Lord?” let’s start asking, “What are You teaching me while I wait?”

Prayer:
“Lord, help me to wait on You. Keep me from rushing ahead or trying to force things in my own strength. Teach me to trust that Your timing is always better than mine. I know You are faithful, and I choose to rest in that truth today. In Jesus’ name, amen.”