Understanding God’s timing is all about growing up in the Lord. There are times when some things should never be done, while other things must always be done. At certain times a particular action is the only proper course to take while at other times even good things are inappropriate to take because God clearly says, “not now!” Understanding God in uncertain times can help us to avoid painful pitfalls and guide us into His perfect will.
Very seldom do we hear God telling someone to stop praying, but that is exactly what is happening before the Israelites cross the Red Sea.
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.’” Exodus 14:15-16
Grant it, praying to God while seeing your enemy coming toward you is not a bad thing. There was just something better to do – “Stop praying and move on!” He wanted Moses to do something better at that particular time – to act on faith so that God could deliver His people from Pharaoh’s army. Sometimes even good things must cease at the command of God so a critical deed can be accomplished.
Moses then stretched out his hand over the sea and the sea was drawn back with a strong east wind. The Israelites were then delivered safely on the other side. What would have happened if Moses didn’t act on what the Lord had called him to do? I think the answer is simple: They would have died by the sword of the Egyptians. But praise the Lord for faithful leaders who hear the Word of the Lord and obey.
Have you ever been paralyzed with fear and not able to move forward because of unknown circumstances? Have you ever been in a situation where you desperately wanted to do something or go somewhere but deep down inside you heard the Holy Spirit saying, “Not Now”? What a joy it is to be in such a relationship with the Lord that when you sense Him calling, you can know beyond any shadow of a doubt that it is God’s voice. That’s where I want to be for the rest of my earthly existence.
So work on knowing the timing of God by getting closer to Him through His Word, prayer, and other believers. The journey is awesome, the destination is out of this world.
There is also another place I want to be on Sunday morning – right here in our church. We are beginning a new series entitled, “I AM: Discovering the Promise of Jesus.” It will be based on the I Am statements Jesus made about Himself in the Gospel of John.
I am looking forward to what God wants to do this Sunday.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
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