Articles
At the Proper Time - Titus 1
At the Proper Time - Titus 1
1 Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, 3 but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior,” (Titus 1:1-3).
How long, O Lord? You are not the first to ask this question! (cp. Just a few examples: Psa. 6:3; 13:1; 35:17; 79:5; 80:4; 89:46; 90:13; 94:3; Isa. 6:11; Hab. 1:2; Zech. 1:12; Rev. 6:10).
Many of us sing ‘In His Time’… which is the answer. The problem is that HIS time is not reckoned by ‘our time’. In particular, this is true when His plans and promises span many generations.
The scriptures indicate that God indeed had (has) a planned ‘time’ for fulfilling His purposes:
· God’s overall timing: Rom. 5:6. Gal. 4:4. Eph. 1:10. 1 Tim. 2:6.
· Jesus and God’s timing: Mark 1:15; John 7:6,8, 30; John 2:4; 8:20; 13:1; 17:1
Some observations concerning this:
· God knows what He is doing.
· God often is accomplishing several (many) things at the same time.
· For us, God uses situations and consequences to teach us His principles.
· Our learning the history of God’s dealings (i.e., read and study the whole of the Bible), shows that God is FAITHFUL to His promises (as Paul says here: God cannot lie).
· We learn patience and trust by WAITING.
Habakkuk began his writings asking “How long, O LORD?” After articulating his perplexity, He states: “I will stand on my guard post And station myself on the rampart; And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, And how I may reply when I am reproved” (Hab. 2:1)
He didn’t have to wait long! “Then the Lord answered me and said, "Record the vision And inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run. 3 "For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.” (Hab. 2:2-3).
Have you learned to wait for God?
Hugh DeLong
