"The Lord's Timing"
March 10, 2009
Isaiah 55:10-11 - For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
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Children often grow impatient at how long things take. My two-year-old son can't contain himself when he sees my wife baking cookies. He gets so worked up we have to tell him to calm down and be patient. He is learning, but he's still a two-year-old.
The prophet Isaiah was talking to impatient children also, but these weren't toddlers. They were the children of Israel-God's children. At that time, the Babylonians had taken them into captivity. They lost their homes and the temple where they worshiped. Forsaking God, they trusted in alliances with other nations. God sent Isaiah to warn them of their sinful idolatry, but they didn't repent. Even so, afterwards God gave Isaiah a message of hope for them. Isaiah proclaimed the compassionate Lord would gather them back to their homeland. They were overjoyed to hear this, but soon again many wondered if God's Word would actually be fulfilled. Like impatient children, the complaints started. God answered them in the verse above. He told them just as the water He sends takes time to nourish the earth to make it sprout, so also His Word will nourish them and in due time return to Him fruitful. His Word of promise will come to pass. Israel eventually did return from its captivity, and ultimately the promise was fulfilled in our Lord Jesus Christ who was gathering the entire world to Himself.
As Christians, we, too, are impatient children. We wonder why God has not answered our prayer or why a loved one must suffer illness. We ask anxiously, "How long Lord until you return?" Yet, God has been faithful in giving His Son Jesus Christ, who suffered the cross for our sins and will return to resurrect our bodies to reign with Him forever. Whenever we become impatient, He answers us with the promise that His Word will accomplish all that He intends for it.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I am Your child, give me the patience to simply trust in Your Word. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Written by Pastor Eric Estes
Redeemer Lutheran Church - Columbus, Georgia
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