07/01/2022
I don’t know about you but sometimes I am a procrastinator. This morning I proved once again that this is true. Although I typically rise before my phone’s alarm sounds at 3 AM, today I slept until it was ringing, and then I hit the snooze button… not once, but twice. So by delaying I started my morning prayers, my time spent in scripture, devotional reading, and more importantly, I was late when it came to seeking inspiration, and then writing what the Holy Spirit would put on my mind for us to share today. However, as I started my morning with the Lord it dawned on me that this was no accident. But had served His purposes. I was to write about answering God without hesitation, and how He always answers us at the perfect moment… not early, not late, but exactly at the right time. Although we are occasionally inclined to put things off, or as it was for me today, to oversleep; our Father is never late, and fulfills His promises, and does what He says… perfectly every time.
“And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.””
Luke 1:20 ESV
God never oversleeps, or makes us wait inappropriately. Time and again we find that scripture proves this out, and if we are honest with ourselves we will find this to be true in our own lives. What we often refer to as waiting on the Lord is actually waiting for His perfect time to arrive, and quite often we do so impatiently. In our scripture reading this morning, Zechariah, now an old man, had just been told that his wife Elizabeth, also old, would have a son, and that his name would be John… in fact he would later be known to us as John the Baptist. Hearing this news he is incredulous, and questions the Angel concerning how this could be possible…
“And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.””
Luke 1:18 ESV
In other words, Zechariah had not only given up on his prayers for a child, but was now questioning God’s timing. Haven’t we all behaved similarly concerning a prayer that we knew was within the Lord’s will, prayed in faith, asked in the name of Jesus, and yet seemed to go unanswered? Before you say “No I have never done that.” Think again.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”
1 Peter 5:6 KJV
So Zechariah’s prayer was being answered, but because it didn’t happen in a time that he considered timely, he had lost faith, and given up hope. Even now, with an Angel standing before him, he was trying to pin God down regarding how this could happen; and God’s response came quickly…
“And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.”
Luke 1:20 KJV
God does not procrastinate. Listen as we read about how God does not delay but answers at the appointed time…
“And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”
Habakkuk 2:2-3 ESV
So no, God doesn’t procrastinate, but we certainly do. Sometimes it is by hitting the snooze button a couple of times, sometimes it is tarrying when we are being called…
“To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.””
Luke 9:59-60 ESV
Or…
“Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.””
Luke 9:61-62 ESV
God wants us to come without delay. He wants us to be like Isaiah and answer straightway…
“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.””
Isaiah 6:8 ESV
We should hear the lesson that Eli taught the young Samuel, and answer in kind. Listen…
“Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.””
1 Samuel 3:9-10 ESV
Today I procrastinated, and it embarrasses me to admit this to you. Today I procrastinated, and I stand ashamed before God. I pray for His forgiveness, and humble myself as I redouble my efforts to do those things I am asked to do, and I resolve myself to answer straightway when I am called. Are we all ready to wait on God without losing faith, or answer Him, and Jesus, without delay? Heaven forbid, but are we praying for forgiveness for having looked back with our hand on the plow?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your perfect timing as you answer our prayers. Thank you Lord for sending your Son Jesus Christ to redeem us in the fullness of time, and for the promise that He will return once again in that same fullness of time. Help us Father to be faithful, and patient as we wait on you, and give us the faith, and obedience to answer immediately when you call, or to follow Jesus straightway when He says “Pick up your cross and follow me.” Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who was, and is, and is to come. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who calls us to yourself through Christ, and expects us to answer without Him, and take His hand without a moment of procrastination. Praised be your name for every promise kept, and prayer answered, at its perfect time. Merciful are you to forgive us, and to strengthen our resolve as we renew our dedication to you by the profession of our immediate obedience once we have been slow to answer, or have found an excuse for some delay. Wash the sin of our disobedience, and inattentiveness, from us with the blood of Jesus, and hear the sound of contrition in our prayers of repentance as we scurry to follow Christ, and do your will without hesitation. Your grace is sufficient for us, and we ask that you cover us with it, and find us worthy in Jesus as we stand before you in judgement. Find us obedient and responsive in Jesus, as you pronounce us to be worthy of eternity in your presence, feeling your love, joy, and peace, now, and forevermore… give us patience as we wait on you, always faithfully waiting for the fullness of time, and ever pleasing to you.
“And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.””
Mark 1:10-11 ESV
Rich Forbes