Why, why, why? And when? From the first words we speak as babes, these questions are always on our lips. As we journey through our life with Jesus, we often question God, “Why and when will you answer me, Lord?” Could it be true that “God is Always on Time?”
I’m studying Exodus right now with First5 and watching the reactions of these Israelites in the early chapters of this amazing story. Right now, they are trapped in cruel bondage (Exodus 5 and 6) and they are asking a lot of why and when questions. Part of me never understands their reactions, but then the Holy Spirit reminds me––hey, that’s you, too. Guilty.
are you guilty of asking the wrong questions, too?
So, it’s true. I lived in bondage for decades. I was a slave to satisfying my body, mind, and spirit with anything and everything other than a relationship with Jesus and His Word. Mostly food, which led to many chronic health conditions. Also, materialism and chronic complaining. Like asking, “Why me, God?” Sometimes, I ask the Lord “Why did it take You so long to capture my attention?”
Is God always on time?
Now that I’ve been in His Word daily for almost five years, I must answer with a resounding “Yes!”
Why did it take so long? I have a few of my favorite “RE” words that stand out: refining, restoring, renewing, redeeming.
Because, all these “-ing” words take time. As God drags us through these processes, can you trust that God is always on time? Do you trust He has a timely purpose for your pain?
Yesterday, one of the participants in my current 21 Days Challenge in 2021 asked for some encouragement to return to reading God’s Word. My first thought was to run to God. Run, do not walk, to return to the daily nourishment of His Word. Perhaps she is in a season of drought, full of many hardships. Perhaps you are facing trials, too.
These words from the prophet should encourage you. Jeremiah 15:16 (NIV):
When your words came, I ate them;
They were my joy and my heart’s delight,
For I bear Your name,
O LORD, God Almighty.
When Your words came, at the right time, I ate them. I digested them. I devoured them. This is what now satisfies my soul.
Can you commit to god’s word daily?
Part of the challenge of the 21 Days event is a commitment to being in God’s Word every day. I’ve asked everyone to share their personal Bible study plan. I appreciate this participant shared she is struggling. Just like those Israelites. Just like I did so many times over decades.
I have processed my regrets that I neglected God’s Word all these years, and I accept that it wasn’t the right time until I reached the age of fifty.
Because now that experience drives my passion to encourage women to be in the Word daily. It’s the number one goal of the mission of Joy Fueled Living.
As my pastor likes to say, start the daily discipline of spending time in God’s Word. Before long, just like Jeremiah shares, it will be your heart’s delight. Or I like to put it this way, since I’m a planner and like to practice things…this daily practice will turn into the passion of your life.
God is always on time. And today He might be prompting you to get into His Word if you’re out of practice or He might be prompting you to dive deeper and trust Him in your current storms in life.
Today, as you are working through the process of restoring your body, renewing your mind, and redeeming your spiritual walk with God, just trust that God is right on time for you.
I’ll leave you with the “Question of the Day” from the First5 study this morning.
QUESTION: “God addressed Moses’ complaints by turning the focus from the problem to His person. What aspect of God’s character helps restore a right perspective when you feel discouraged?”[1]
My answer is:
“God is always on time. My God shows up
every day in every way without delay.
I can trust this through any storm.”
Christine Trimpe
Thanks for reading today. Leave your answer below. As a thank you for visiting my blog, please download my free resource 5 Steps to Freedom in Joy Fueled Living HERE.
[1] https://app.first5.org/first5, accessed April 15, 2021
Oh my for years I ran to food since a child and then I added in then alcohol and a few drugs after I reached 21 along with the food to fill my huge empty space in my heart that could only be filled with God. I was like Jonah. I was determined to run as far away from God and His calling in my life. Yes I could feel a calling long before I returned to Him. I was just to busy running the opposite direction and filling my body with all the wrong things that I could not hear what that calling was but I could sense it (feel it) and because I was so mad at God I wanted nothing to do with it. Then tragedy hit in 1996 and the hard surface of my heart cracked just enough the Holy Spirit slipped in there and I came back to God and my calling became clear and God wasted no time putting a fire under my feet to go! I quit the drinking and drugs cold turkey. BUT food i held onto so tightly still i know it grieved God that I would not lay that down at the cross. I craved “control” since I had none in my life with my mom. So I held on tightly to the fact NO ONE was going to tell me what I could or could not eat. OUCH, Pride X10. God allowed my health to deuterate to the point I realized I was killing myself with food. That is when the battle between food, the enemy and my own pride began. BUT GOD! By getting back into the Word, doing Bible studies and begging God to open a door to help me only God could use the death of my mom to set in motion the ability to break free from my bondage chains to food and choose life instead of food. I chose surgery to cure my diabetes, get the weight off as quickly as possible due to my knee, that was almost leaving me in a wheel chair. No knee surgery could happen till I lost most of my excess weight. Best decision i made in my life beside running back to Jesus. Keto is my life style of choice now and will be for the rest of my life. Being in Gods word and fulfilling His calling on my life are now possible.
Hello Teresa,
Thank you, as always, for reading and providing your insight. I can see you wrote part of your “book” here! Praise God for your journey to health and wellness––body, mind, and spirit!
Happy Weekend!
Christine