Year of Realization - Day 40: Sometimes timing is everything.

“And while they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “Now tell me what you really want. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!” Esther replied, “This is my request and deepest wish. If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request and do what I ask, please come with Haman tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for you. Then I will explain what this is all about.””

‭‭Esther‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Gideon was facing overwhelming odds as the Midianites and their allies had formed a huge army to fight against the Israelite army (Judges 7). However, the Lord assured Gideon that He had given him the victory over the Midianites. So, Gideon ran right out with his men and fought against them and won! Right? No, that’s not the way it happened. Rather, the Lord gave Gideon a plan with which only 300 men defeated the vast Midianite army. As a matter of fact, the Midianite army and their allies turned and fought against each other! But, this could only happen because Gideon didn’t get ahead of God (God’s timing).

Joshua was assured by the Lord that the great city of Jericho would fall before him (Joshua 6). So, Joshua ran right out with his men and started scaling the walls to take the city! Right? No. That’s not the way that happened either. Rather, Joshua followed the plan, resulting in the walls of Jericho falling down in only seven days.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “all in good time”? You know, that’s usually said to someone who wants something to happen sooner than what it looks like it’s going to happen. And—if we’re being honest (which we are)—we would admit that this describes most of us much of the time. When we want or need something, or we want or need something to happen, we are not much prepared to watch a clock. But, make no mistake, when it comes to the way the Lord works, it either happens on His timetable, or it doesn’t happen.

I think most Christians can look at a time in our lives when we wanted something to hurry up and happen. But later, we saw that when the prayer was answered, it was at just the right time, perfectly timed by God.

In our opening scripture we see that Esther—having entertained the king and Haman—is again asked what her request is. Well, of course, when reading this story we all want to see her—right then and there—point to Haman and spill the beans about the fact that she was a Jew! But it appears, rather than acting impulsively, Esther is following a plan that has been perfectly timed by the Lord. After all, if she spills the beans now, Haman won’t have a chance to build the gallows. But we’ll get to that soon.

None of us likes waiting. And the urgency for something to happen increases with the level of threat or pressure being faced. But whatever we do, let us not get ahead of the Lord‘s timing. It will come to pass…all in good time.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#yearofrealization