Paul wrote, "When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons" (Gal 4:4-5). That phrase, "the fullness of time," is interesting, isn't it? What is it? Simply put, it's "the perfect when."
Think about it. We're not too keen on "the perfect when." "What do we want?" we cry, followed by, "When do we want it? Now!" Even so with God. "Lord, answer my prayer ... the way I want ... now." We never say that, but it's there because 1) if He answers it in a different way we consider it an "unanswered prayer" and 2) we complain when it's not ... "timely."
I want to be satisfied with my God's timing. I want to be content with His methods. I want to ... "prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect" (Rom 12:2). Some call it blind faith. I think I have enough life-evidence to have good reason to trust Him. I want to declare with Job, "YHWH gave and YHWH has taken away. Blessed be the name of YHWH" (Job 1:21).
4 comments:
Anyone that says, "God doesn't answer prayers" clearly doesn't believe the Bible. Scripture is full of God proving His faithfulness to provide what is best for His people. And if you've lived a Christian life long enough, you'll see His faithfulness if you'll just look.
I find the phrase, "when the fullness of time had come,” an interesting one to contemplate regarding how and when God works. When I consider alternate wording, such as “when everything was just right,” “when all things were lined up perfectly,” or “when circumstances had come together to set the stage (so to speak),” I can know that “God sent forth His Son” (Gal. 4:4) according to the Lord’s perfect timetable. God’s omniscience, sovereign will, and foreknowledge come into play regarding all such events--not only in the course of history (i.e. the timing of Christ’s incarnation) but in my own life. Being finite, I cannot know “the perfect when,” but as you say, I can trust the One who does. The God who arranged everything in order to have brought the Savior to humanity in perfect timing can also orchestrate the trivial events of my earthly existence.
As an aside, I always thought that “What do we want? When do we want it?” was a football cheer (as in “we want a touchdown…right now!), but I learned that it is a political “call and response” chant. (Interestingly, both scenarios would utilize megaphones.) I also see that there are “What do we want? When do we want it?” jokes, such as these few (the last one is my favorite):
“What do we want?” “Hearing aids!” “When do we want them?” “Hearing aids!”
“What do we want?” “Increased funding for Alzheimer’s research!” “When do we want it?” “When do we want what???”
“What do we want?” “Procrastination!” “When do we want it?” “Oh, no rush; later is fine.”
“What do we want?” “Clickbait!” “When do we want it?” “The answer will shock you!”
I regularly am not pleased with YHWH's timing. It is something I have to try very hard to accept. But I really have no choice but to accept His sovereignty.
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