In His Timing, Not Ours
Wait on the Lord: Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14
So you got down on your knees and sought God’s Face. You pleaded, begged, bargained, even instructed Him how He should go about answering your desperate cry for help, but still He has ignored you. Now you’re angry, frustrated, and have decided to take matters into your own hands—you will solve the problem yourself, because it is obvious God doesn’t care!
Does that sound familiar?
My husband and I lived in New Zealand for eight years. In March 2002, he decided he was ready to return to Canada. I wasn’t ready, though I was torn been my friends in New Zealand, and being close to my family in New Jersey. My husband notified colleges and Universities in Toronto that he would be available to teach in the Fall. We would live initially with his son in a small apartment; I didn’t want that! Anyway, we engaged a Real Estate company and put our house on the market. Believing it would sell immediately, my husband purchased one-way airline tickets on a Canadian airline, three months in advance of our scheduled departure date.
When no offers came on the house, I became anxious, even though deep down, I didn’t want to leave. I told (not asked) God who I wanted to live in “our” house; how we already had airline tickets, and argued that He was taking too long to send the buyer. Still nothing happened, but that should have been my clue that perhaps He was holding back for a reason.
What followed was incredible:
- The Airline went out of business; we were not reimbursed.
- There was a decline in the real estate market; we would have taken a huge loss.
- An unexpected emergency occurred on another property we owned in NZ; we needed to be physically there to achieve a successful outcome at the court hearing.
- My husband failed to acquire a teaching position in Toronto, because all positions were filled. He was disappointed; I was relieved, but we still kept the house on the market for several months!
- The house did not sell, even when we lowered the price.
Finally accepting God had His reasons, we took the house off the market. Perhaps we were not meant to leave New Zealand after all. I was overjoyed; my husband was disappointed!
During my-time-alone-with-God session on September 8, 2002, I wrote on the back cover of my Word for Today Daily Devotional book, thoughts that were impressed upon my heart: Fear not. Remain steadfast in your faith. Your desire to return to Canada and your family will be as you wish. Leave everything in My hands.
So, we were still going to return to Canada, but not just yet!
The following year, unusual things began to happen:
- Black ants invaded our garden and the outside walls of the house. When the ants moved into our kitchen, I was ready to move back to Toronto.
- Out of the blue, my husband received a job offer from York University, which included accommodation.
- When we again put the house up for sale that year, the market had regained its strength.
- Our house sold quickly to an elderly couple who wanted to move into the area to be close to their only daughter and her family.
- Our house was exactly what they were looking for! And they were exactly who I wanted to occupy our house.
- This time, there were no hitches in our plans to return to Canada.
- On April 30, 2003, we returned to Canada.
Dear friend, do you see how God works? Because He sees the big picture, He knows how and when to bring into motion that which is best for us. He saw ahead of time the teaching position for my husband, which included accommodation. He allowed the ants to invade our house to make me ready to accept the necessary move back to Toronto. He directed the elderly couple, who had no idea our house was on the market, to our street. Isn’t God amazing?
So, be encouraged. The next time you’re anxious about something and you seek God’s help, trust Him to provide the answers to help you through. Don’t be disappointed if things don’t turn out your way. Be patient; don’t try to force the outcome yourself. Remember, God sees the big picture! He is in control.
Finally, if you have doubts about hearing that voice within, let the Bible guide you. The Holy Spirit will speak to you through Scripture, and even through readings found in Daily devotionals and other such books. Let the words sink into your heart, feel the peace which follows. Let God have His way, for that’s the business He’s in.
Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7KJ)
When you know this truth, you learn to wait…life would be so much easier and less complicated if you but wait on God. Don’t you agree?
“Father God, how gracious and patient You are in dealing with me, Your impatient child. Forgive me, Father. Help me to quiet my busy thoughts long enough to hear Your gentle whisper. Open my eyes and my mind that I might be alert in discerning what the Holy Spirit wants to teach me through Scripture. I know now that I must exercise patience, and trust You will always do what is best for me. I must learn to release complete control to You. Thank you, Father, for this moment of enlightenment. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
God Bless you, dear reader!
P.S. In 2004, the year after we left New Zealand, they experienced the worst ever weather conditions—heavy rainfalls and floods everywhere. Some houses where we lived had slipped off the mountain and had to be condemned! Amazing isn’t it?
Peace & Love,
Dove