God’s Appointed Time
The Bible has much to say about timing. God has His appointed time for each event (Eccl 8:6, TEV). Even His actions of graciousness await the right time (Ps 102:13, Harrison). There was a God-appointed time for John the Baptist to leave the spotlight for the shadows so Christ could leave the shadows and more fully step into the spotlight (Jn 3:30, Message). Further, Jesus refused to even go up to the festival with his brothers because it was not yet God’s time for Him to go (Jn 7:8). Hence, we are acting like Christ, with regard to timing, when we behave like true friends who do our duty at the right time (Mt 25:12, CW).
Timing is crucial. President Teddy Roosevelt understood the need of the newspapers and used their need to his advantage. He provided them what they needed when they needed it. On other occasions, timing is about not making a premature commitment. Sometimes, merely keeping hope alive is enough. Elizabeth I realized this with the royals from other countries who sought her hand in marriage. Britain benefited from her sense of timing in keeping their hope alive. Finally, we can realize it is not the right time to take action when we lack the resources to be successful. Prime Minister Thatcher grasped this when she gave in to the demands of the coalminers in 1981 because the government did not then have enough coal reserves to defeat the miners. She was courageous enough to be patient. Then, when she was finally ready, she acted and was successful.
Like Roosevelt, we can look for ways to meet our needs by meeting the needs of others at the right time. Learning from Elizabeth I, we ought to avoid premature commitments that can unnecessarily close doors of goodwill. Further, like Thatcher, we would do well to wait until we are ready. In all matters of timing, we should make sure we give credit to the Lord for our eventual success (Prov 21:31, LB).
Comforting others is costly but worth it.