WAIT FOR GOD'S APPOINTED TIME

[Pastor Bayo Afolaranmi]

Dear Beloved,

WAIT FOR GOD'S APPOINTED TIME

"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways..." (Psalm 37:7 NIV).

After the disobedience of Saul to the command of God to totally destroy the Amalekites and his rejection as king of Israel by God, God sent Prophet Samuel to anoint David as the new king. David served King Saul for several years in spite of the fact that he knew that he was the rightful person approved by God to be the king of Israel. He fought many wars to the credit of Saul. Even when Saul hated him and sought to kill him, he did not try to retaliate and forcefully claim the throne. He had two good opportunities to kill Saul and become the king, yet he spared his life on the two occasions (1 Samuel 24, 26). He diligently waited for his time. The time eventually came when the men of his own tribe came and anointed him as king over them, and when the whole people of Israel came after some years to proclaim him king over the whole land (2 Samuel 2, 5). He waited for his appointed time.

In one of the Yoruba legends about destiny, a man has chosen before he came to the world that he would become affluent when he clocks the age of forty. When he came to the world, he began to struggle from one place to another in order to be rich. All his efforts were unsuccessful. He became a laughing stock among his contemporaries especially those that were successful in their undertakings. At age 39, when he could not bear the ridicules of his friends, he committed suicide. When he got to the gate of heaven, the gatekeeper looked at him with pity and led him to where the records of people's destinies were kept. When he saw his own record, he discovered that it remained only a year for him to become affluent. He begged the gatekeeper to allow him to go back to the world, but he did not have such opportunity any more. He did not wait for his appointed time.

While I do not believe in all such legends, there is a lesson in it – waiting for one's appointed time – the God's time that is the best. Has God promised you something? Do not be in haste to get the promise. Do not try to help God to fulfil the promise. Abraham and Sara tried to help God in fulfilling His promises for them. Their help nearly ruined their peaceful home (see Genesis 16, 21). Wait for God's appointed time. He will fulfil His promise in His own time in His own way. Even when it seems that the time does not come. Wait for God's appointed time. Do not lose hope. His appointed time for you will come!

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, `He who is coming will come and will not delay'" (Hebrews 10:36-37 NIV).

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB

This message was first sent out on May 1, 2005.