BIBLE READING: Genesis 20-23
How many times have we heard the expression “timing is everything”? If the quarterback had thrown the pass a split-second sooner, it would have been a touchdown. If I had not looked up when I did, I would have caused a major accident. Over and over we are continually reminded that seconds matter, timing matters. That statement is even more evident as we study the life of Abraham and Sarah. They had been promised by God that they would be a great nation, yet at virtually a hundred years old they were still childless. Can’t you imagine the prayers that they both lifted up to God on a daily basis?… “Please God, please God, please, give us a son! Please Lord fulfill Your promise.” They must have had thousands of conversations, arguments and even fights as they waited for God to finally fulfill His promise. Why did God wait so long? Was He waiting on them to trust Him more? Was He just simply so busy with ruling the world that this was an oversight that He had missed? Of course not! God’s reasoning for waiting is His business, but when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. God’s timing allowed Abraham and Sarah to learn patience, and trust. It allowed them to see the error of their ways with the Hagar Experiment. It provided a great lesson for us to show us what happens when we try to take matters in our own hands. God’s timing is everything! In Genesis 21, we not only see the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, we see the beginnings of something beautiful. So, the next time you ask God for something and you feel like He isn’t listening, or when you grow impatient as you await God’s answer, just remember God’s timing is always right. Just be patient; all this waiting just might be teaching us a very important lesson.