Daily Devotional for February 17, 2015

Isaiah 49:8-10
God also says:

“When the time’s ripe, I answer you.
    When victory’s due, I help you.
I form you and use you
    to reconnect the people with me,
To put the land in order,
    to resettle families on the ruined properties.
I tell prisoners, ‘Come on out. You’re free!’
    and those huddled in fear, ‘It’s all right. It’s safe now.’
There’ll be foodstands along all the roads,
    picnics on all the hills—
Nobody hungry, nobody thirsty,
    shade from the sun, shelter from the wind,
For the Compassionate One guides them,
    takes them to the best springs.
 
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.

One of the questions little kids ask a lot is, “When?” We adults hear countless questions, like… “When will lunch be ready?  When can I go outside?  When can I get up from this ‘rest’?  When will I be big enough?" and “When will this be over?”  And our answer is pretty much always…”When it’s the right time.”

Isn’t it interesting that we understand the concept of “timing” when we are talking to little children…but when we want something from God - all bets are off! And let’s be honest…we often get aggravated when God doesn’t answer as quickly as we would like – or in the manner we preferred!  We start to make assumptions about how He must not care about us…we are being punished for something…or that our prayers are not reaching Him.  And none of these are anywhere near the truth.

Read this passage again.  “When the time’s ripe, I answer you.”  Hear these words…”When victory’s due, I help you.” God truly is the “parent” – or “adult” – and we are the child.  And just as small children must learn patience and trust, we must develop these same characteristics in our fellowship with our Heavenly Father.

This is a rich passage.  The message is hopeful and encouraging…positive and purposeful.  God is with us…He is feeding us, sheltering us, and meeting our every need…in His perfect timing! How we respond and react defines our relationship…and our Christian discipleship.  What are your words and actions saying about your faith?

©2015 Debbie Robus