One of the things that the pandemic caused by COVID-19 has taught us is the value of time. Before this “new normal”, we tend to go through the motions of what we do with our time. Now, we are being taught to be intentional with what we do with our time because the virus may come any time and disrupt our lives.
What can we learn from the Bible about God’s time?
The best lesson that we can learn is that God will fulfill what He planned in His own time, and in His own way.
Oftentimes we are guilty of fast-forwading the timing of God. This would certainly lead to disaster. We can all remember Sarah who thought that it was through her servant that God will give them a son. She disobeyed God, and that decision continues to have a lot of consequences in terms of Middle East conflict.
The Prophet Isaiah wrote down the words of God about the right timing — “The smallest family will become a thousand people, and the tiniest group will become a mighty nation. At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” Isaiah 60:22
The prophecy written down by Isaiah is very important because it was done during the time when the people of Judah turned their backs to God. The people did not listen and the result was captivity.
Now, when did the Lord God fulfill the prophecy of bringing Israel back again from “the tiniest group” and became “a mighty nation”? It was only on May 1948 when Israel became a nation again. It was more 2,000 years when God made it happen.
Today, we are blessed to have witnessed the rebirth of Israel, and the coming alive of many prophecies right in front of our eyes. The previous generations believed that it would happen. Now, we have seen first hand what they longed to happen.
So, what should we do? We need to put our complete trust in God because He is trustworthy and will surely fulfill His plans in our lives.
May God bless us all!
Sincerely,
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director, Office of Communications
Central Philippine University