God's perfect time

He has made everything beautiful in its time. -Ecclesiastes 3:11

We must praise God at all times. Sometimes, when the good things we aspire for, do not reach us before a specified time, we become disappointed. We begin to murmer against God saying: “What is the use of my being holy? I don’t get material prosperity. I see ‘the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong’ (Psalm 73:1-4). Their wicked life seems to make them more prosperous. O Lord, why don’t you listen to my prayer?” Vainly presuming ourselves to be overly righteous, we murmer against God. Consequently, we weaken ourselves without our own awareness.

During His ministry of three and a half years on the earth, Lord Jesus had to go through several tribulations. Yet, He never murmered against God. Nothing happened in His life without His Father’s will. He declared: “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30). That is why ‘deceit was not found in his mouth’ (1 Peter 2:22). “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.” (Luke 24:19).

Job, the devout servant of God, was blameless and upright. He feared God and shunned evil. Unfortunately, within one day, he lost all his possessions and ten children. And yet, he did not murmer against God. All he uttered was: “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:21).

But look at this situation! God released six lakhs of Israelites and their families from Egypt, their house of bondage, through Moses. He was leading them to the land of Canaan, flowing with milk and honey. On the way, they confronted the Red Sea but God led them through the sea by dividing the waters. Hence, they feared Him and reposed their faith in Him. For forty years, God had been with them; they lacked nothing (Deuteronomy 2:7). But when they went into the wilderness of Shur, they found no water. Even at Marah, they found only bitter water. Irritatedly, they began to complain “What shall we drink?” They grumbled against Moses and God, forgetting all the good things and miracles done by the Lord till then (Exodus 15:22-24).

Dearly beloved, if we follow their example- murmuring against God and holding ourselves overly righteous- we will become debilitated in our spirit and lose our strength. On the other hand, if we love our Lord, holding on to Him, He will make ‘everything beautiful in its time’ (Ecclesistes 3:11). The Bible says that “…all things God works for the good of those who love him…” (Romans 8:28).

Prayer:

Loving Lord Jesus,

I thank You for all your benefits. Thank You for being with me even in times of trials. Forgive me if I have murmured against You. Help me to hold on to my faith in difficult times. Help me to remember the good things which You had done in my life. Give me a grateful heart. Enable me to be content in all circumstances. Enable me to praise you at all times. Deliver me from my troubles and bless me beyond my expectations. In Your matchless name I pray. Amen.

(by Dr. Paul Dhinakaran)