SCRIPTURE
"As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased." (Acts 7:17)
OBSERVATION
Stephen was defending his belief in Jesus before the religious ruling council. In that speech he gave a brief history lesson of God's people. God appeared to Abraham and told him to go to the land he would show him. However, Abraham himself did not actually receive the land as his inheritance, not even enough ground to set his foot on. God would fulfill his promise by raising up Moses as the one who would lead the people into the Promised Land. As the time drew near...nearly 400 years after God's promise to Abraham.
God waited for the right time. He could do today what he could do tomorrow because he is God. But he won't do today what he will tomorrow because he is God. He could have fulfilled his promise to Abraham in an instant. Abraham and Sarah could've packed up the kiddos and camels and moved into their new home. God's promise was not for him but for his descendents. So after nearly 400 years God finally fulfilled his promise (Israelites leave Egypt, wander in wilderness for 40 years no less, and enter the land). That's 10 generations. We tend to think God should get on with it, in our lifetime. But in his plan our lifetime means nothing because while we mark our lives by time he does not.
APPLICATION
As the time drew near...time was ticking away and God was waiting. After many people had lived and died his promise was finally fulfilled. I realized I may only get to see a sliver of God's activity in my lifetime. I think just because God can do it, he should do it, and do it right now. God is not in a hurry, he is not late, he is not early, he is always right on time. There is one thing I've noticed about God's people, they are waiters. Truly in both senses of the word. They are to serve others, but they are also to pass the time, hang around while God is working out his plan. As the time draws near, I've discovered my new calling is that of a waiter.
PRAYER
Lord, I don't understand your timing because you are beyond time. But I can trust your character as I watch the clock.
