God's Perfect Time

“But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.” “When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.” “His name is John.” Luke 1:7, 57, and 63

God’s timing. It is not very easy for us lowly mortals to understand. How often do we find ourselves waiting in anticipation for something to happen only to find we have to wait longer, or perhaps we even give up hope that it will ever happen.

I would imagine that Elizabeth must have felt this way. I wonder how many times in her younger years Elizabeth would watch her friends and relatives have children and sit back to wonder when it would be her time. When year after year passed and she remained barren when did she reach the point of giving up hope that her time to have a child would ever come?

We all find ourselves struggling with this waiting game in our own unique ways. Maybe, like Elizabeth, you have spent time waiting to know when you would be blessed to be a mother while others around you had families growing. Maybe you have had to spend time waiting to find out if a job opportunity is going to open up and if you will be the one hired. Maybe you have had to wait trying to sell a home in a hard economic climate. Maybe you have had to wait for medical test results that may not be so good. These are a few examples, and I am sure we can all find more.

So, what can we learn about waiting and God’s perfect timing from looking at the life of Elizabeth? We learn to wait. We learn to be patient. We learn to trust in God’s goodness and love for all people. We learn that God’s timing is always perfect.

You see, in Elizabeth’s life, God’s timing of sending her a child was perfect. Elizabeth’s child, John, had to be born at the time he was born. God had a very special purpose for this child. Zechariah says in Luke 1:76, “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him.” John was born at this special time to prepare the people for the Savior of the world.

As you find yourself waiting, may the peace of God give you comfort. Rest assured that God’s timing is always perfect, even when we do not understand it. And, as you continue waiting in this season of Advent for Jesus coming, know that it will happen in God’s perfect time.

Prayer - Lord we know that waiting is not always easy for us to do. We ask that You guide us to put our hope and trust in You as we await many and various things in our lives. Help us Lord to seek You as we await the coming of our Savior. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.