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Have things in your life panned out differently than you hoped? Do you want to be somewhere else in your life right now? In this post, we will reflect on God’s word to understand why God’s timing is not yours. Specifically why God’s timing “takes longer” than our timelines and why this is a blessing.
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@JuliaCaesar
When You Want Something...
When we want something in life it’s almost instantaneously. We want something we want it immediately. However, we don’t take into account the fact the significance, preparation, pruning, and development required to maintain and nourish that specific thing. Most importantly we often don’t take into account what God’s will is for our lives.
What would glorify God? What does God want in your life? What would please God?
These are the questions we should be asking ourselves. Now, to further dive into this let’s take a look at Deuteronomy chapter 8. To provide context, the text is referring to a reflection on what has happened with the Israelites and God within the 40 years in the wilderness.
Deuteronomy 8:2-6, KJV
2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. 3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. 4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. 5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee. 6 Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.
The passage highlights that it took the Israelites 40 years to get to the promised land. However, you may not know that it was an 11-day trip initially (Deuteronomy 1:2). So, the question is why did it take so much longer? The Israelites continued to disobey God, go against His commands, complain continously, and try to go their way (Deuteronomy 9). This passage highlights the elements behind why the trip took so much longer.
Reasons why it may take longer than you planned (Takeaways from the Israelites)
To humble you
To know whether you will keep his commandments (pruning you)
To demonstrate you do not live through your strength but through God alone
To ultimately trust Him
To learn to acknowledge Him in all your ways
They lacked maturity in faith, trust in the Lord, and humbleness. Unfortunately, we emulate these behaviors and immaturity in faith. Therefore, the main takeaways reflect God’s timing versus our timing. Often we lack the maturity to handle the things we want. We lack faith, humbleness, and acknowledgment of Him in everything. Fortunately, God prunes us. He refines us to ensure we are mature enough in our faith, overcoming sins, and things that may ruin that very thing that would bring glory to Him. This is what He did with the Israelites.
Focus on His Will for your Life & God's Timing
Lastly, it’s important to reflect on the beautiful truth that we don’t need to worry about if something we planned for our life happens. God’s ways, thoughts, and plans for believers are exponentially higher than ours could ever be (Isaiah 55:8-10). And the truth is the fact that He has had mercy on us and predestined us to be saved is more than we ever could deserve (Romans 9 reflects His mercy beautifully) (Ephesians 1:4-6).
@JuniorREIS
All we need to do is focus on Him, obey His commandments (which are for our protection and greater good), and have a reverent fear for Him (Proverbs 9:10, Deuteronomy 10:12-14). Ultimately, all things work out for the good of those who love Him…and that good is ultimately glorifying God (Romans 8:28). Therefore, this is the insight gained from Deuteronomy as to why God’s timing is not yours and why this is a true blessing.
And Before You Go...
@NoPlaceLeftTraining
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