God’s timing is perfect, even when we’re confused about it! Last night I set the bedside clock in our hotel room ahead one hour, assuming I was doing the right thing at the right time. When I woke up this morning, it said 5:45 am, so I got up as I usually do, made a cup of coffee, and settled in to read and pray for a bit. When Todd got up, I noticed my computer clock said 6:30 am, which didn’t feel exactly right; I was sure I’d been up more than 45 minutes!

After some googling and scratching of our heads, we realized that the bedside clock was an atomic clock and reset itself automatically. My interference meant that it was two hours ahead! We thought it was awfully dark for 8:00 am. I had actually gotten up at 4:45 am! (I’m definitely going to need a nap later!)

While my timing was off this morning, God’s timing is always perfect. In Romans 5:6, Paul tells us, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” In Galatians 4:4, he refers to this as “the fullness of time,” meaning the time was complete in God’s perfect, sovereign will for the exact moment of Christ’s death.

How often do we think God’s timing is off? In John 11, Mary and Martha thought Jesus was a bit late, after He waited two days to begin His journey after receiving word that their brother, Lazarus, was sick. He could have instantly transported Himself and the disciples down to Bethany (like He did in John 6:21), but He intentionally delayed, for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it (John 11:4).

Notice in both of these scriptures, God’s delay was during a time when those in need were unable to help themselves. It is when we need God the most, that we want Him to act quickly and decisively on our behalf, yet that is exactly when we must learn to wait on His timing.

God’s hand delayed leads to God’s glory displayed.

What has God done that you felt was too soon or too late? Like my bedside clock, our mental and emotional clocks may say one thing, but God’s spiritual timeclock tells the truth. He is never late. He is never early. He is always, perfectly on time. Instead of trying to manipulate it, we need to trust that He is working in perfect rhythm with His glory and that at just the right time, He will act in accordance with His sovereign will.

Last night, I didn’t have all the information; no one told us the clocks would reset themselves when Daylight Savings Time kicked in at 2:00 am. I made a decision without knowing all the facts. When we’re tempted to rush ahead of God or drag our feet when He says “go,” we need to set aside our own understanding and trust His infinite knowledge of all time, past, present, and future.

What’s your spiritual clock say this morning? Is it set to God’s standard or your own?

1 Peter 5:6 – Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.