Always on Time: God is Never Late, it is us Who Are Impatient

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Luke 12:40

“You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

(ESV)

We live in a culture of instant gratification where the idea of waiting for something is unheard of.  We have instant access to information on the internet with the word google now becoming a verb.  We have microwave meals where we can enjoy a warm meal in minutes.   However, instant gratification is not the way of the Lord for Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that our strength is renewed when we learn to wait on the Lord for God is always right on time and never late. 

Impatience and instant gratification is contrary to our fleshly nature and nothing new.  After their eviction from the Garden of Eden, Eve conceived a son (Genesis 4:1).  In her statement “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord” Eve was expressing her belief that the son she bore was the one to fulfill Genesis 3:15 only to have her belief shattered when Cain murdered Abel.  (1)

Another example of impatience in the Bible is found in Joshua 7.  In a rush to occupy the land Joshua sent men from Jericho to spy out the land.  The nation of Israel had experienced a tremendous victory at Jericho and thought they could just march in and conquer Ai without inquiring of the Lord first.  This impatience resulted in an embarrassing defeat.  Fortunately, this defeat was turned to victory after Israel confessed their sins to God (Joshua 8:1-29).  

Fortunately for us all, God’s timing is always perfect.  Take the timing of Jesus first coming for example.  Jesus first coming occurred during the Roman occupation of Israel.  As such, the people had no freedom and lived under the oppression of the Roman government and were desperately seeking a savior (Luke 2:1).  However, zealots in the time of Christ believed Messiah would march into Jerusalem and take over from the oppressive Romans.  (2)  Jesus however spoke out against such a violent take over (Matthew 26:52) and Instead died on a cross, rose from the dead, and after showing himself to many, ascended to heaven with the promise he would return.  It is at the time of His second coming that he will establish his Kingdom on earth with all earthly nations bowing to Him (Romans 14:11). 

The first coming of Jesus also occurred at a time when the Romans had constructed a system of roads and navigable routes on the seas to connect their vast empire.  It was these roads and waterways that made the spread of the Gospel possible.  At the time of Christ, Greek was spoken in most of the world making it possible for the written word to spread like the epistles.  (3)  With these tools, early Christians were able to spread the Gospel and turn their world upside down (Acts 17:6).

As we anticipate the second coming of Jesus, we can also rest assured that it will occur at just the right time.  We can also know that God is already setting things up for this glorious event.  For example, we have our own version of the famous Roman Roads in the information superhighway.  Through social media, email, and blogs on the internet, the message of the Gospel can now be instantaneously spread to anyone in the world from anywhere.  (4)  In addition, google even has the technology to translate text, such as what you are reading now, into other languages making it possible for them to hear the message.  (5)

The second coming of Jesus is delayed because in His mercy, God is not willing that any should die without the opportunity to be saved (2 Peter 3:9).  In this age of instant gratification God has also provided powerful tools such as the internet, social media, and even blogs like this one empowering us as believers to fulfill the great commission of spreading the Gospel to every nation (Mark 16:15).  In addition to these cyber tools, we can also share with those we meet face-to-face while living our daily lives.  Unfortunately, a tool left in the toolbox is useless.  I therefore encourage everyone reading this that is a believer in Jesus as their savior to use these tools to insure everyone has an opportunity to accept Jesus as their savior. 

If you are reading this and have not made this decision, I want to encourage you to do so now.  Romans 3:23 says that we all have sinned and Romans 6:23 tells us that the penalty for our sins is death.  However, in fulfillment of Genesis 3:15, God sent his only Son, Jesus to die for our sins and provide eternal life for anyone choosing to believe (John 3:16).  All we must do to be saved is confess Jesus as Lord of our lives and believe that God raised Him from the dead (Romans10:9-10).  I therefore encourage anyone reading this that has not accepted this gift of salvation from God to do so now by praying with me,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

Now, use the tools you have available and share this good news with everyone. 

1. Stewart, Don. What Did Eve Mean, I Have Gotten a Man from the Lord. www.blueletterbible.com. [Online] Blue Letter Bible. [Cited: May 4, 2017.] https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_713.cfm.

2. Reed, Doug. Who Were the Zealots. www.thorncrownjournal.com. [Online] Thorncrown Journal. [Cited: May 4, 2017.] http://www.thorncrownjournal.com/timeofchrist/zealots.html.

3. Jeremiah, David. Why Did Jesus Come When He did? www.cbn.com. [Online] The Christian Broadcasting Network. [Cited: May 4, 2017.] http://www.cbn.com/special/TheNativityMovie/articles/DavidJeremiah.aspx.

4. Wise, Justin. Social Media and Christian Ministry: Reaching the World for the Kingdom of God. www.christianitytoday.com. [Online] Christianity Today. [Cited: May 4, 2017.] http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2014/february/social-media-and-christian-ministry-reaching-world-for-king.html.

5. Agapiev, Borislav. How does Google translate work? Do they have database for all words of a particular language? www.quora.com. [Online] Quora, December 4, 2016. [Cited: May 4, 2017.] https://www.quora.com/How-does-Google-translate-work-Do-they-have-database-for-all-words-of-a-particular-language.