I was privileged to write for Gracefully Truthful on waiting. There is so much to learn about understanding and accepting God’s timing. I offer a piece of my study here; but, please read it all at Gracefully Truthful (link at the bottom)
Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
Fatalism vs Grace
Some people today, especially those without Christ, take on the same fatalistic approach as Solomon. “Que Sera, Sera – What will be, will be”. Fatalism is a doctrine teaching that events are fixed in advance and human beings are powerless to change them. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) We might as well live life and accept what happens because there is nothing we can do to alter it.
This viewpoint leaves no room for God’s mercy and grace. It says God’s will as primary. They say,
“If it’s not God’s will for me to be saved, I won’t be saved.”
(J. Vernon McGee)
In their eyes, God neither hears nor answers prayer. As Christians, we know it’s God’s grace, mercy, and love that bring us joy. We know we can talk with God, pray about our sorrows, and through prayer, effect change. He is the one who brings true peace to the human heart.
So, is it acceptable to question God?
In short, “YES”! The prophet Habakkuk questioned God about His timing and plans, “
How long, Lord, must I call for help, but You do not listen?“
He was not rebuked for his questions; his questions were patiently answered. (Habakkuk 1:5-11)
The Lord’s Answer
5 “Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told.
Understanding God’s Timing
God may not answer our questions in the manner or timeline we want, but, if our questioning is sincere, He will give us understanding and unfathomable peace. When we look back on our life, we will see that God’s timing is beautiful. I’m reminded of this prayer set to music by Maranatha Music.
“In His time, in His time. He makes all things beautiful in His time
Lord please show me every day as you’re teaching me your way
That you do just what you say in your time.”
Accepting God’s Timing
When my husband was forced from his job and we needed to move from our home and take early retirement, we wondered,
“God, what in the world are you doing?”
Sure, we had been praying about a change, but this wasn’t what we had in mind. We could only see what was plausible in the “mind of man.” But now, six years down the road, we have more understanding of God’s plans.
1) We now live near three of our children & their families,
2) we are in fellowship with several life-long friends than have been a great support to us,
3) we are within driving distance to doctors who treat my chronic illness, and
4) our daughter met and married a wonderful Christian man and they are in ministry together.
There’s more, but you get the picture. We didn’t know the plans of God whose purposes are so much more amazing than anything we could have considered. We held to prayers as Habakkuk did,
“How long, Lord, must I call for help and you do not listen or cry out to you about violence, and you do not save? Why do you force me to look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?”
And God answered,
Look …. be utterly astounded! For I am doing something in your days that you will not believe when you hear about it.” (Habakkuk 1:1-5)
Continue Reading at Gracefully Truthful
Other Devotions on God’s Timing
How Abundant are God’s Good Things
Want More Devotions Like This?
If you enjoy my devotions, perhaps you would like to receive a series of devotions in your email inbox once a week. Sign up for this EMAIL EXCLUSIVE series “BUT GOD”. It’s all about scriptures that state, “But God”. Just Click Here.
Pastor’s Wife (retired) & Chronic Pain Warrior blogs about how to make it through anything by relating her own life experiences to her writing. She is passionate about her love for the Lord and desires to spread that passion to others. She has a great desire to encourage women who are following behind her.
What a beautiful testimony of God’s faithfulness to work all things together for our good. And it’s a gentle reminder to make sure our thoughts are in line with His Word, His Character, and His Word.
~Lisa, Visiting from Grammy’s Grid World Religion Linkup #13
Thank you Lisa. God is so good. I trust Him implicitly. Thanks for coming by!
Thanks for tackling a difficult subject.
Getting beyond the WHY can be daunting at times. If only, we remind ourselves of all He has done for us and realize that even though we don’t know how things will turn out. We CAN know that it will be beyond wonderful. Thanks for coming by
CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at the Exploring World Religions Linkup 14!
Cool and Awesome. Thank you