Isaiah 60:22

Jeff Cutts reflects on God's timing and plan.

Jeff Cutts

As I have been reading my Bible recently, I have been struck by a phrase that has stood out to me over and over and made me think, so I thought I'd share it with you. The phrase is '...at just the right time...'

One thing that God timed perfectly was to reveal His love for human beings and to rescue us when we were utterly helpless. (Romans 5:6)

'You see, when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children.' (Galatians 4:4-5) God has rescued us law-breakers by His love and kindness and we are forgiven by accepting that Jesus died for us and rose again.

The work Jesus was sent to do was completed at the perfect time in God's plan. Practically the world was prepared spiritually, economically, linguistically, politically, philosophically and geographically for the coming of Jesus and the subsequent spread of the good news. For us in our selfish mess, He came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

'So now I beg you not to accept this marvellous gift of God's kindness and then ignore it. For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you." Indeed, the "right time" is now. Today is the day of salvation.' (2 Corinthians 6:1-2)

Also, know that this is the plan: At the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ-everything in heaven and on earth. (Ephesians 1:10) For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. (1Timothy 6:15)

Perhaps this is very familiar to you and you are sure of God's love; you know His salvation and you know that His Kingdom is working in you and through you. Still, we need to humble ourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honour. (1 Peter 5:6)

Father God works things out at the right time. It is something I have often forgotten and it has caused me to worry and stress over things that from God's point of view are all in order and in His hand. He will cause all things to work out for good if only I could be patient enough to wait for Him and trust.

God has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Father God Almighty has a plan in all of time and the entire universe and He says, 'At the right time, I, the Lord will make it happen'. (Isaiah 60:22)

Be encouraged, those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 'Let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.' (Galatians 6:9) Let's know that our times are in His hands and that God's plans work out at just the right time.