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Good Timing

I was listening to a song by Stuart Townend and the lyrics of the song touched me. The song ‘How Long’ asks how long before our sovereign Lord comes into this world to deliver us from this temporal world and bring us into his glory. This song echoes the many times that we have asked God how long before we see His glory here on earth/ When we see or suffer from the evil, injustice of the world and suffer from personal setbacks, I am sure we would have ask God ‘how long’ before we are delivered. It also made me ponder on the whole concept of time in relation to God and His perfect timing.

Take for example David, a man of God who was also the King of Israel. David for example often claimed that God was slow to act on his behalf. Indeed as we read in Psalms, David voiced his complaints and anguish to the Lord. In Psalm 13, David feels emotionally down and asks for God to grant him strength to overcome his trials. He writes “How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and everyday have sorrow in my heart?” (Psalm 13 v2). In Psalm 64 he says “Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint” (Psalm 64 v1) and in Psalm 77, he cries to the Lord “I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me” (psalm 77 v1). In Psalm 102, he asks God to answer his prayers quickly(Psalm 102 v2) and in Psalm 142, David cries out aloud in anguish “I cry aloud to the Lord” (Psalm 142 v1).

To be sure, there is nothing embarrassing to voice our distress to God and complain tp God and ask him questions when we feel let down. The key to tackling those feelings of hopelessness and defeat is in keeping out channel of communication open with God. I am sure that David’s cry for help and hi anguish is familiar to all of us. We have gone through the same emotions. Indeed there are days when our mood is down, when we are stuck in some awful situations that unfortunately come our way or when we are in deep sorrow or anger. We need to talk about our feelings to God, More precisely, we need to pray about it and trust in Him.

So whenever we are faced with a problem or setback, let us commit it to God in prayer and learn to trust in him and His perfect timing. Often, when we pray, we expect the problem to be settled or the prayers answered quickly, or if I may dare say, immediately. We often, like David, have difficulty in grasping God’s concept of time. Undeniably we often ask “how long” and see time in our own perspective instead of God’s perspective but God will act when He is ready.

Let me share with you a personal testimony of God’s good timing. I have never been a good-looking guy that girls swoon over and do not possess the mojo that makes Austin Powers so attractive to girls. My teenage years were often filled with a longing for a girlfriend and when my peers started to date and pair up, my life was becoming more of a misery. I must confess that I have cried out that phrase ‘how long’ many times. I felt anguished and had not understood God’s perfect timing. To cut a long story short, God finally introduced me this beautiful and God-fearing girl whom I met in university. We met and dated and in February 21st, 1998, this girl became my girlfriend. She has been the best thing that has happened in my life and since knowing her, our Christian walk has been most rewarding. I now understand that God’s timing is perfect and always better.

As I look back now, I give thanks to God for his perfect timing in my life. Now I pray for God to grant me patience and faith to wait patiently for him to reveal His plans for me and not take matters into my own hand.

Like David, I have also learnt to be honest of my feelings with God. Just as David bares his true feelings to God, and in praying, discovers that God is still in control and cares for him very much. I have also found that prayer heals and lifts the spirit closer to God. As we will have learnt and read, most of David’s Psalms ends with a recognition of God’s faithfulness and unfailing love. We need to be honest to God with our feeling and God will help us. It is only when we recognize our weakness that God’s greatest strength becomes available to us. As Christians, let us boldly live our lives in faith, not doubting but trusting in God’s perfect plan for us.

Kenneth Seet

Last modified: 25th November 2005